Best Appearing Car Award Back for Another Year at Snowball Derby
Nov 25, 2022
Many drivers from NASCAR's top three series will spend part of their offseason competing in the Snowball Derby.
The NASCAR season may be over, but several drivers from NASCAR's top series will be spending part of their offseason in Pensacola, Florida for the 55th Annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters.
HOW TO WATCH THE SNOWBALL DERBY ON RACING AMERICA
The biggest event in pavement Super Late Model racing routinely draws familiar names from the NASCAR world, competing against the stars of Late Model racing during the first weekend of December. That is especially true this year, with names up and down the entry list featuring NASCAR's top stars.
Four drivers who will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 are currently entered for the event. Among those are two-time Snowball Derby winner Erik Jones, 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski and 2022 Slinger Nationals winner William Byron. Noah Gragson, preparing for his first full-time Cup Series season alongside Jones at Petty GMS Motorsports, is also entered in search of his second Snowball Derby triumph.
READ MORE: Brad Keselowski Enters 55th Annual Snowball Derby
Josh Berry, who was part of the Xfinity Series Championship 4 along with Gragson, will make his second Snowball Derby appearance. This year, Berry will be part of the Rackley W.A.R. Super Late Model effort.
Two of the four drivers who competed for the NASCAR Truck Series championship this year also hold the last two wins in the Snowball Derby. Ty Majeski and Chandler Smith won the Derby in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and both will be returning to Five Flags Speedway looking for another Derby win.
Corey Heim picked up two wins during a part-time effort in the Truck Series in 2022. He also won with the Southern Super Series at Crisp Motorsports Park this summer, and looks to close out the year with another Super Late Model victory.
Despite being just 21 years old, Derek Kraus is preparing for his eighth trip to the Snowball Derby. He hopes to improve on his career best finish of 15th in the event.
Carson Hocevar has made the Truck Series playoff field the last two seasons. The former Winchester 400 winner hopes to add another Super Late Model crown jewel to his collection at this year's Snowball Derby.
Sammy Smith stayed busy, and stayed in victory lane, in 2022. There were 10 wins under the ARCA banner, along with the ARCA Sioux Chief Showdown and ARCA Menards Series East championships. In a Super Late Model, Smith won the Redbud 400 as well as the Racetrack Revival at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He also made nine starts for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2022, including a third-place finish at Watkins Glen.
Daniel Dye is slated to make the jump full-time in the Truck Series in 2023 with Petty GMS Motorsports. Before he does so, he will return to the Snowball Derby, making his third start in the event.
A full list of entrants can be viewed below.
Race fans can watch the 55th Annual Snowball Derby exclusively on Racing America
SNOWBALL DERBY ENTRIES - UPDATED NOVEMBER 25, 2022
08 Jace Hansen, Evans, CO
08 Nicholas Naugle, Muskegon, MI
1 Michael House, Columbia, TN
2 John Bolen, Jasper, AL
2 William Sawalich, Eden Prairie, MN*
4 Erik Jones Byron, MI
4 Luke Fenhaus, Wausau, WI
5 Casey Johnson, Edgerton, WI
6 Brad Keselowski, Rochester Hills, MI
9 Brandon Watson, Barrie Ont. Canada
9 Brad May, Ovido, FL
9 Derek Kraus, Stratford, WI
10 George Gorham Winter Haven, FL
12 Derek Griffith, Hudson, NH
14 Austin Nason, Roscoe, IL
14 Carson Hocevar, Portage, MI
16 Jacob Gomes, Manteca, CA
18 Chandler Smith, Talking Rock, GA
18 Hunter Robbins, Pensacola, FL
18 Ryan Luza, Cypress, TX
21 Corey Heim, Davidson, NC
21 Jesse Love, Redwood City, CA
22 Connor Okrzesik, Grand Bay, AL
22 Sammy Smith, Johnston, IA
23 Billy VanMeter, Muskegon, MI
24 Scott Sanchez, Bakersfield, CA
24 William Byron, Charlotte, NC
26 Bubba Pollard, Senoia, GA
26 Casey Roderick, Dayton, OH
26 Josh Berry, Statesville, NC
28 Connor Mosack, Mooresville, NC
30 Noah Gragson Mooresville, NC
32 Carson Kvapil, Mooresville, NC
32 Harold Crooms, Lakeland, FL
33 Dustin Smith, Mobile, AL
35 Jake Garcia, Monroe, GA
43 Daniel Dye, Deland, FL
43 Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, CA
44 Conner Jones, Fredericksburg, VA
44 Jeremy Doss, Upper Lake, CA
45 Michael Simko, Clarkson, MI
48 Preston Peltier, Brighton, CO
48 Rocky Samson, Hernando Bch, FL
50 Jett Noland, Groveland, FL
51 Jake Finch, Lynn Haven, FL
51 Stephen Nasse, Pinellas Park, FL
53 Boris Jurkovic, Ft. Myers Bch, FL
53 Cole Butcher, Porters Lake, NS Canada
54 Johnny Clark, Farmingdale, ME
54 Matt Craig , Kannapolis, NC
55 Haeden Plybon, Deer Park, WA
57 Zach Telford, Middleton, ID
63 Trayten Tarr, Rathdrum, ID
65 Tyler Tanner, Mooresville, NC
69 Michael Hinde, Hernando, FL
79 Kyle Bryant Navarre, FL
91 Ty Majeski, Seymour, WI
98 Blaine Rocha, Oakdale, CA
98 Tommy Catalano, Ontario, NY
99 Linny White, Ontario, CA
112 Augie Grill, Hayden, AL
*Sawalich confirmed on social media he will not be competing in this year's Snowball Derby as he recovers from a concussion suffered at the All American 400.