(Photo Credit: @Snowball_5Flags)
For the past two years, it has seemed that Derek Thorn has left Pensacola snake bitten after dominating both races in the past years. But as the old saying goes, "third time is a charm." That is exactly what happend to Derek Thorn as he took the checkered flag in the 55th Annual Snowball Derby.
Over the past two years, Thorn has led over 250 laps in each of the last two years. In 2021, he led 252 laps and Ty Majeski eventually went on to win. In 2021, he led 284 laps and was moved out of the way by the eventual winner of Chandler Smith. This year, Thorn had to outlast a series of late cautions to hold on to him finally capturing short track racing's biggest prize.
This year, Thorn started on the outside of the front row right next to polesitter Josh Berry, Thorn made an agressive mode by fighting for position on lap one and by the exit of turn two, Thorn had the lead and never looked back. In the later stages of the race, drivers like Bubba Pollard stayed out on old tires but eventually Thorn took the lead again and set sail for a Snowball Derby record 300 laps led of the 311 run. And with that, became the all-time Snowball Derby lap leader in the history of the event.
Another impressive showing by Stephen Nasse, who started 35th due to his Southern Super Series points provesional made his way up to a third place finish.
55th Annual Snowball Derby Results:
1. Derek Thorn
2. Sammy Smith
3. Stephen Nasse
4. Casey Roderick
5. Cole Butcher
6. William Byron
7. Jake Garcia
8. Jace Hansen
9. Jacob Gomes
10. Ty Majeski
11. Preston Peltier
12. Carson Kvapil
13. Bubba Pollard
14. Michael Hinde
15. Daniel Dye
16. Giovanni Ruggiero
17. Ryan Luza
18. Matthew Craig
19. Derek Kraus
20. Noah Gragson
21. Luke Fenhaus
22. Dustin Smith
23. Jeremy Doss
24. Albert Francis
25. Josh Berry
26. Hunter Robbins
27. Jesse Love
28. Corey Heim
29. Blaine Rocha
30. Michael House
31. Tyler Tanner
32. Austin Nason
33. Erik Jones
34. Jake Finch
35. Conner Jones
36. Augie Grill