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Snowball Derby Odds: Who Will Claim the Tom Dawson Trophy?

You’re not going to see these odds at any casinos in Vegas or even in the Deep South closer to Pensacola. Handicapping the favorites for the Snowball Derby can be such a tall task to deliberate, especially for the 50th running.

Nevertheless, and although we do not necessarily condone gambling, the Speed51.com powered by JEGS staff decided to carry through with a friendly distribution of odds for Sunday’s 300-lap prestigious Super Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway.

We ranked the drivers straight up, not based on how they have performed in practice leading into Friday evening’s qualifying. Previous performances in the Snowball Derby and additional major Super Late Model events have factored into these odds.

Once again, odds are all in fun, unofficial, and for entertainment purposes only.

The Favorites: 3 to 1
Bubba Pollard, Ty Majeski, Kyle Busch

Although these three competitors have only combined for one past Snowball Derby triumph, it’s hard to pick against any one of these talents. Bubba Pollard and Ty Majeski have come close more than once and have qualified fastest before, and if they fire off on all cylinders over the distance in the 2017 feature each could likely be out front. Kyle Busch may only arrive at the 1/2-mile facility on Friday and for the first time as a driver since 2012, but will pick up right where he left off – contending for the win.

The Contenders: 5 to 1
Harrison Burton, Christian Eckes, Preston Peltier, Corey LaJoie, Jeff Choquette, Noah Gragson

It is certainly debatable that any of these five can be considered favorites instead. Burton is a 2017 champion in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Eckes flew slightly under the radar to perform perfectly when it counted to take the victory last year, and Peltier has won in Super Late Models in multiple states across the entire country this year. Do not count out perennial contenders LaJoie and Choquette either. Gragson is fresh off a Winchester 400 victory, proving he can stand the test of time and conservation to be there near the end.

In the Mix: 7 to 1
Jeremy Doss, Raphael Lessard, Dan Fredrickson, Stephen Nasse, Chandler Smith, Donnie Wilson

Many “in the mix� have stepped up their game in recent months preparing for this special 50th running. Doss is fresh off a win out in Las Vegas a few short weeks ago, while Fredrickson has brought in the legendary Freddie Query to assist. Youngsters Lessard and Smith are probable to improve upon their 2016 performances, which alone were respectable. Nasse and Wilson have numerous years of experience and multiple high-level race wins to their name.

Good Picks: 10 to 1
Spencer Davis, Mason Mingus, Cole Rouse, Augie Grill, Kyle Plott, Brandon McReynolds, Casey Roderick

We’re certainly not ruling these guys out, but their past performances, whether it was acquiring knowledge or simply a roller coaster of misfortune, make things a tad shaky on whether they can complete the deal and take the win. All of them have the backing and support, but will it be enough to be there at lap 300?

Worth the Money: 15 to 1
Cole Butcher, Rich Bickle, Cassius Clark, Tate Fogleman, Chris Davidson, Derek Kraus, Logan Boyett, Garrett Jones

Last year’s winner Christian Eckes was a 12 to 1 favorite, so it is always possible to parlay a gamble into quite the profitable transaction. Considering a five-time winner is in this group, each one of these names is capable of getting it done if the right set of circumstances occur.

Under the Right Conditions: 20 to 1
Jake Crum, Chase Purdy, Brandon Oakley, Connor Okrzesik, Ben Rowe, David Rogers, Boris Jurkovic

This category features some wild cards in the bunch. A few that have started previous Derbies earned impressive finishes navigating the 1/2-mile before so it is not a complete long shot to put your money one of them.

Would Pay Off Well: 25 to 1
Garrett Evans, Dennis Schoenfeld, Anthony Cataldi, Jeremy Pate, Kason Plott, Tyler Dippel, Jerry Artuso, John DeAngelis Jr., Dustin Smith

Simply making the field of Super Late Models on Sunday is an accomplishment in itself, so if anyone is in the show there’s always a possibility they could be hoisting the Tom Dawson Trophy on Sunday evening.

The Rest of the Field: 30 to 1
Stuart Dutton, Joe Aramendia, Kyle Bryant, Steven Davis, John Coffman, Jeff Firestine, Michael Atwell, Ron McDonald, Donald Crocker

These racers have been working day and night to have their name called in driver introductions and be part of the 50th class picture. If one were to win it would be a major upset, perhaps the biggest in its storied history, but anything can happen in the Snowball Derby.

-Text by Speed51 Staff. Photo Credit: Speed51.com

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