PENSACOLA, Fla. — Defending Snowball Derby winner Derek Thorn captured the pole for Sunday’s 56thannual event during qualifying Friday at Five Flags Speedway.
Thorn turned a best lap of 16.501 seconds to top the 49-car and earn his record-tying (Eddie Mercer) fourth Snowball Derby pole.
ASA STARS National Tour champion Ty Majeski was second quick with a lap of 16.561 seconds.
Preston Peltier turned the third quickest lap but was disqualified because of an unapproved body modification.
As a result, Noah Gragson wound up third, with Bubba Pollard and Luke Fenhaus rounding out the top five.
Several NASCAR Cup Series drivers are in the field with William Byron qualifying 13th. Erik Jones was 21st, with Ryan Preece 27th and Carson Hocevar 40th.