PENSACOLA, Fla. – The starting lineup has been set for the 53rd running of the most prestigious super late model race in the United States, the Snowball Derby.
Thirty-six drivers and teams will chase a $25,000 winner’s check starting at 2 p.m. ET. The payout will be awarded after 300 laps around the historic Five Flags Speedway half mile.
Derek Thorn, who won the Snowball Derby pole during qualifying for the second straight year, is scheduled to lead the field to the green flag Sunday afternoon.
However, Thorn will have the opportunity to drop to the back for a potential $25,000 bonus as part of the Phoenix Construction Back to Front Challenge if he can come through the field to win the event.
Thorn is already eligible for an additional $5,000 bonus if he can win the race as the polesitter, regardless of whether he drops to the rear of the field before the initial start.
Kaden Honeycutt is scheduled to join Thorn on the front row after qualifying second, with Ty Majeski and Cole Butcher sharing row two.
Stephen Nasse, who lost a potential Snowflake 100 victory due to a rough driving penalty Saturday night and was DQed in post-race tech from last year’s Derby, starts fifth.
Daniel Dye, Jeremy Doss, Matt Craig, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and Logan Boyett fill out the first five rows of the grid for Sunday afternoon’s event.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Grant Enfinger is scheduled to start 17th. He and Go Fas Racing changed an engine after final practice Saturday.
Defending Derby winner Travis Braden starts 29th, while reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott rolls from 31st after winning the 50-lap last chance qualifier.
The complete starting grid for the event is below.
53rd Snowball Derby Starting Lineup
- Derek Thorn
- Kaden Honeycutt
- Ty Majeski
- Cole Butcher
- Stephen Nasse
- Daniel Dye
- Jeremy Doss
- Matt Craig
- Kyle Busch
- Logan Boyett
- Kyle Plott
- Preston Peltier
- Casey Roderick
- Derek Kraus
- Hunter Robbins
- Corey Heim
- Grant Enfinger
- John DeAngelis
- Paul Shafer, Jr.
- Kyle Sieg
- Chris Davidson
- Ross Kenseth
- Boris Jurkovic
- Cayden Lapcevich
- Dan Fredrickson
- Jake Garcia
- Mason Diaz
- Michael Atwell
- Travis Braden
- Jesse Dutilly
- Chase Elliott
- Augie Grill
- Derek Griffith
- Chandler Smith
- Bubba Pollard
- Jeremy Pate