Snowball recognized as one of top 20 events in SouthEast!

[Snowball]

Snowball Derby® recognized as one of the Southeast's top 20 events in December

 

 

The Southeast Tourism Society has recognized the 39th running of the Snowball Derby® at Five Flags Speedway as one of the top twenty events for the month of December.

 

The organization, dedicated to the development of tourism in its eleven-state area, noted the draw of motorsports participants and enthusiasts to Pensacola for the short track racing classic. The racing activities have been conducted on the first weekend of December since 1968 at the speedway on Pine Forest Road. Hundreds of the nation’s best Stock Car drivers have competed over the years, bringing fans, pit crews, and families.

 

Tim Bryant, General Manager of the speedway, said he was honored to receive the unsolicited award. He said the event is growing and that last year over 60 drivers from 15 states competed for the 36 starting spots in the 300-lap Super Late Model race. In addition, drivers are attracted to compete in five other divisions over the four-day event.

 

The Snowball Derby® was the idea of Ohio transplant Tom Dawson and his wife Roxanne, recognizing the potential of drawing top-notch drivers from across the country during the Winter lull. Over the years, many of NASCAR’s best have tried and failed to win the prestigious race. Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, and Bobby Allison are among that list. Bryant noted that Rick Crawford, who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race in Indianapolis on August 4, is a former Derby winner.

 

Area motels, restaurants and other businesses benefit from the influx of racers and fans. Ticket sales are well ahead of last year when the race was a near sellout. Some of the motels near the track have been booked since the first week of October.

 

The activities kick off with the Green Flag party, a free event for the fans, on Wednesday Nov 29th with racing Thursday through Sunday December 3rd.