11/1/2019
Five Flags Speedway
Practice Day is Preview Day in 3 weeks for All Snowball Divisions
Story by Speed 51
Drivers looking for an opportunity to prepare for the 52nd Annual Snowball Derby will get that chance on Saturday, November 23 with the Snowball Derby Preview at Five Flags Speedway (FL). The open practice session is the last chance many teams will have to tackle the half-mile speedplant before Snowball Derby week on December 4-8.
Racers can also pad their pockets during the Snowball Derby Preview, going against the long-time racing adage of “practice doesn’t pay anything.� The fastest team in each division will receive a cash bonus for their effort during the practice session, running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
"The Snowball Derby Preview has turned into a fun but productive day for race teams,� said Five Flags Speedway promoter Tim Bryant. “It's a day when drivers can fine tune their entries in a more relaxed setting, void of the urgency and intensity that comes on Derby weekend. Plus, paying a little money for practice has made it even more fun."
The Snowball Derby Preview will also be free to watch from the stands for fans who want an early does of the excitement they can expect at the 52nd Annual Snowball Derby. Concessions will be open for lunch and dinner.
Last year, Connor Okrzesik picked up $800 in bonuses by setting fast time in both his Snowball Derby Super Late Model and Allen Turner Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model. Kyle Purvis was quickest for the Modifieds, with Caleb Burkett (Pure Stocks), Cale Gale (Pro Trucks), Chad Robinson (Sportmen) and Todd Jones (Outlaws) also scoring prizes.
Racing begins on Thursday, December 5, with the WCIParts.com Pro Trucks, the Dock of Pensacola Beach Sportsmen and the Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks competing in their Snowball Derby feature events after the first rounds of practice for Super Late Model and Pro Late Model teams.
Friday, December 6 presents one of the most dramatic and intense days in short track racing, with Snowball Derby teams competing for a spot in Sunday’s race on Country Pleasin’ Sausage Pole Night. The Modifieds of Mayhem Tour 75-lap season finale follows qualifying.
Saturday is an action-packed day of racing, featuring the Snowball Derby last chance race, the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 for Pro Late Models and a 50-lap feature for the Faith Chapel Outlaws.
Finally, Sunday, December 8 brings the most prestigious event in Super Late Model racing, the Snowball Derby. Pre-race festivities begin at noon, with driver introductions at 1:15 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., the Snowball Derby begins, starting the 300-lap battle to see who will join the record books as a winner of the marquee event.
Tickets are still available for purchase but are expected to sell out by the week of the event. More information can be found by visiting www.5flagsspeedway.com or by calling the track office at (850) 944-8400.
-Story by: Zach Evans, Speed51.com Southeast Editor – Twitter: @ztevans
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