Kyle Busch (Left) and Johnny Sauter (Right) try to keep warm at the Snowball Derby Friday in Florida. (Photo: Jeff Hood Racin'Today.com)
Article by Jeff Hood, RacinToday.com
There was plenty of NASCAR star power in the pit area on Friday at Five Flags Speedway as preparations continued for this weekend’s Snowball Derby, one of the nation’s most prestigious Super Late Model races.
NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch, James Buescher, Cale Gale, Steven Wallace, Brian Scott, Ryan Sieg, Shane Sieg, Brian Ickler and David Stremme each turned laps under overcast skies on the .5-mile paved oval during practice for Sunday afternoon’s 300 lapper.
Former NASCAR Cup champion Bill Elliott stood atop his hauler and watched as his 14-year-old son, Chase Elliott, logged laps around the historic facility.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Johnny Sauter has his crew chief hat on this weekend. He’s turning wrenches on the No. 16 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry driven by Scott.
Former NASCAR crew chief Gene Roberts is atop the pit box this weekend for Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver Max Gresham.
NASCAR truck series driver Rick Crawford, the 1989 Derby winner, is at Five Flags this weekend in a spectator role.
Former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Freddie Query is serving as crew chief for 17-year-old Pensacola native Johanna Long, who hopes to become the second female driver to win the Derby. Tammy Jo Kirk won this event in 1994.
Cup driver Dave Blaney was busy thrashing on his son Ryan’s Pro Late Model. The younger Blaney will participate in Saturday night’s Derby warm-up act, the Snowflake 100.
Nationwide Series driver Chase Miller was spotted in the garage shaking hands. The Georgia driver is still trying to secure a ride and sponsorship for the 2010 campaign.
2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth is expected to arrive in Pensacola later this weekend to watch his son, Ross Kenseth, compete for this year’s Derby title.
Wallace confirmed early Friday that his father, 1989 Cup champion Rusty Wallace, will be in attendance during the 42nd running of the prestigious event on Sunday.
Previous winners of the Snowball Derby include the likes of Darrell Waltrip, Donnie Allison, Jody Ridley, Rick Crawford, Ted Musgrave, Butch Miller, Ronnie Sanders, Jeff Purvis, Wayne Anderson, Bobby Gill, Rich Bickle Jr., Gary St. Amant and Steven Wallace.
