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| SNOWBALL DERBY QUALIFYING FORMAT REVISED | (Five Flags Speedway – Pensacola, Florida)
In the 2003 Snowball Derby, winner Charlie Bradberry was forced to use a provisional position to start the race when he was unable to make it to Pensacola for qualifying. He was awarded that guaranteed start after winning an earlier race at Five Flags Speedway.
For this year’s 37th edition of the short track classic, there are three provisional starting spots, with the first two going to Eddie Mercer and David Hole who finished one-two in the hurricane-shortened Blizzard Series.
Since the fifth race in the series fell victim to Hurricane Ivan, Bryant Motorsports Inc. has announced that those spots might be made available to any of remaining top-ten drivers in the series who did not have the opportunity to improve their position had the last race been run.
That of course would depend on whether or not Mercer and Hole, both good qualifiers, did not make the field. The following eight drivers all had a mathematical chance of moving into the top-two spots if the leaders had faltered in race #5: Ryan Crane, Wes Loyd, Scott Carlson, Donald Long, Ronnie Sanders, Brandon Vaughn, Grant Enfinger, and Charlie Bradberry.
The third provisional spot is reserved for the most recent Snowball Derby champion who is unable to qualify through time trials. Six titleholders, including the last four, have entered and more are expected. Charlie Bradberry (2003), Ricky Turner (2002), Wayne Anderson (2001), and Gary St. Amant (2000) will join what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields in the storied history of the race. Also entered are 1977 and 1978 champions, Ronnie Sanders and Dave Mader III.
The first round of Snowball Derby qualifying will be held on Friday, December 3 with the fastest twenty cars locked into the first ten rows for Sunday’s 300-lap event.
A second round of time trials is scheduled for Saturday and ten more cars will be added to the starting field at that time. Those competitors unable to qualify in the second round will go to the Last Chance Race and the top five finishers will be added to the starting grid.
The three provisionals will be used to fill out the 38-car field. If all the eligible Blizzard Series drivers and former champions have already qualified, the LCQ finish will be used to award provisionals.
An open practice day will be held on November 20 for all racing divisions and fans will be able to watch from the grandstand free of charge. For more information on the December 5th Snowball Derby and associated racing activity go to www.snowballderby.com or call the track office at (850) 944-8400.
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