NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The William Byron’s Cup season is over, but his schedule continues with the Snowball Derby, a race he has long sought to win.
The Snowball Derby, considered the biggest event on the Super Late Model schedule, will be held on Sunday. Drivers in a field of 36 cars will compete 300 laps around a 1/2-mile paved oval to lift the Tom Dawson Trophy.
Byron has competed in the Snowball Derby three times, but has fallen short of his ultimate goal. His most close call was last year’s race, when he finished sixth.
“I just want to win,” Byron said ahead of Thursday’s NASCAR Awards at Music City Center. “I just want to win that race. It’s something on my bucket list.”
Unlike Cup cars, Byron is not guaranteed a spot in the field. He had to lock himself into the Snowball Derby, which is no small feat considering the number of talented drivers heading to the Florida circuit.
52 drivers are on the entry list, including Erik Jones, Carson Josevar, Ryan Preece and Noah Gragson. So are Truck Series driver Ty Majeski, Xfinity driver Sammy Smith and ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich. Reigning Snowball Derby champion Derek Thorne is back to defend his title.
Thorne took pole position for Sunday’s race. Byron initially qualified 14th in Friday’s single-car session. Preston Pelletier’s time was disallowed due to an unauthorized decklid, which moved him to 13th place.
Why does Byron keep returning to Five Flags Speedway despite his lack of success in previous attempts? The desire to win the Snowball Derby is powerful and is thought to be a good reason. Masu. Byron also has the opportunity to keep his skills fresh during the offseason.
“I’ve loved Late Model racing the last few years and it’s taught me some good things,” Byron said. “I feel like it doesn’t necessarily help me at the Cup level, but it always allows me to stay in the race car and keep racing.”
Several NASCAR drivers have won the biggest races in Super Late Models. Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Erik Jones each have two Snowball Derby wins. Gragson, Chandler Smith, Ty Madejski, Donnie Allison, Darrell Waltrip, John Hunter Nemechek Christian Eckes is also among the drivers who have won one Snowball Derby.
Byron will have a chance to join this esteemed list in his fourth Snowball Derby appearance. However, he will have to miss Thursday’s practice and overcome a late start in order to attend the NASCAR Awards.
The lack of track time does not hinder Byron’s mission, which is to ultimately win the prestigious race.
“At this stage we are in this snowball race just to win and we feel we have a good chance,” Byron said. “I thought I had a good shot last year and I feel the same way this year.”
The 56th Annual Snowball Derby will be held on December 3rd at 2pm ET. Racing America provides coverage.