Stephen Nasse's Charge for Glory at the 56th Annual Snowball Derby: A Riveting Tale of Speed and Strategy
As the excitement builds for the 56th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, all eyes are on the remarkable journey of Stephen Nasse, driver of car #51. Nasse, a seasoned competitor in the Snowball Derby, carries a unique narrative into this year's event. His past experiences in the Derby are marked by both triumph and tribulation. In 2019, Nasse crossed the finish line first, only to be disqualified during technical inspection for the use of titanium brake caps. This incident, along with a disqualification at the Snowflake 100 the following year, adds a layer of determination and grit to Nasse's story. Despite these setbacks, Nasse remains unwavering in his pursuit of the elusive Tom Dawson Trophy, a symbol of ultimate victory in the Derby.
Nasse's notable performance in recent years has set the stage for potentially capturing a long sought after Jewel by the Nasse Camp, the Tom Dawson Trophy.
Rewind to this time, end of 2022, He arrived at the Derby on the back of three consecutive wins, including victories at the Southern Super Series finale at Five Flags Speedway, the Winchester 400, and the All-American 400. Had Nasse secured a win at last year's Snowball Derby, he would have been be the first to win all three triple crown marquee events in the same season, a feat that only a handful of drivers have ever accomplished throughout their entire career. Most recently, Nasse comes off of a nail-biting third place finish after nearly landing in victory lane at the Winchester 400, as well as finally securing the Governors Cup win that he had his eyes on for over a decade's worth of attempts at it.
In the lead-up to the big race, Nasse's team has faced challenges. See interview with Matt Weaver below (@MattWeaverRA)
The Snowball Derby week is a festival of racing, with numerous events leading up to the main event. The action kicked off on Thursday, November 30, with late model teams practicing throughout the day and culminating in races across three divisions. Friday, December 1, was one of the most critical evenings, featuring the intense pressure of single-car qualifying where 30 drivers secured their spots in the Derby. This was followed by the Modifieds of Mayhem, which contained a fantastic from-the-rear win by fellow Pinellas Park Driver, Cody Stickler. Due to rain, some events were postponed until Sunday, such as the Snowball Derby Last Chance Qualifier. The Snowball Derby will still take place on Sunday at approximately 2:00 PM EST, where the top Super Late Model drivers battle for 300 laps to claim the prestigious Tom Dawson Trophy.
As Stephen Nasse gears up for another attempt at the Tom Dawson Trophy, the stage is set for an exhilarating race. With his eyes firmly set on redemption and a place in the history books, Nasse's journey is a testament to perseverance and passion in the face of adversity. Fans and enthusiasts alike eagerly await to see if this will be the year Nasse finally claims the trophy that has narrowly eluded him in the past.
Be sure to watch the 56th Annual Snowball Derby on RacingAmerica
Author:
Aaron Motta
Stephen Nasse Racing
Note from the Author:
The original posting of this article contained a contextual error in which the 2022 season's Winchester 400, All American 400 victories were wrongly portrayed as this year's victories due to an editorial error.