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No Pretenders in this Group of Strong Blizzard Contenders

Chuck Corder

And down the stretch they come.

Like jockeys providing the whip to their prized thoroughbreds, the super late model drivers that compete in the Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway can see the finish line.

The Rubber and Specialties 100 on Friday at the famed half-mile asphalt oval marks the fourth of five races this season.

The Modifieds also will compete in a 35-lap showdown, along with the Sportsmen (20 laps) and Bombers (20 laps) when the grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free.

The pits open at 1 p.m. with passes costing $25.

On the heels of back-to-back trips to Victory Lane, Augie Grill holds a slim, two-point margin against Grant Enfinger.

Here’s a look at some of the Blizzard’s top contenders and another pair to keep an eye heading into Friday.

Augie Grill (Car No. 112)

What is there to say about the man who is a perennial favorite at Five Flags every time he makes the jaunt down to Pensacola from his Hayden, Ala., home?

Grill has earned all the superlatives that have come his way. A two-time Snowball Derby winner (2007, 2008), Grill seems to be once again peaking when it matters most in the Blizzard Series season.

In May, he held off a late charge from Enfinger to capture the checkered flag in the Papa John’s 100. In late June at the Print Now 100, Grill did it again, this time dispersing of 15-year-old phenom Chase Elliott.

There’s no reason to think Grill won’t be near the front late Friday.

Grant Enfinger (No. 82)

While his fellow drivers stole the headlines the last few seasons, Enfinger went about his business building a respectable name for himself.

He won’t be flying under the radar any longer.

Enfinger has parlayed an impressive late model resume into tremendous success on the Automobile Racing Club of America series this year.

Not only does he sit second in the Blizzard Series standings, but Enfinger also sits one spot out of first in the ARCA points race.

But, he’ll be racing super late models come Friday at Five Flags — a place he feels right at home. Enfinger has couple a pair of runner-up finishes with a fourth place this season.

All eyes will be on Enfinger to see if he can dethrone Grill’s dominance.

Bubba Pollard (No. 18)

To paraphrase a popular chart-topping song, all Pollard does is win, win, win.

The Senoia, Ga., driver has won early and often this season. After finding his way to Victory Lane at the Blizzard Series season opener, Pollard has continued his dominant ways across the southeast.

He has 11 wins in 29 starts to go with 20 top-fives and 22 top-10s.

With a win Friday at Five Flags, Pollard would equal is late-model win total of 12 from last season.

It remains a stunning feat to know Pollard and the Ronnie Sanders team repeatedly has the No. 18 hooked up week-in and week-out.

Chase Elliott (No. 9)

The defending Blizzard Series champion would love to reclaim his form from a year ago with his first win Friday.

After three late model victories out of the gate across the southeast to start 2011, Elliott hasn’t posted a win since his May victory at Rockingham.

The wunderkind, who currently sits 10th in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East, seems to be turning things around.

Elliott finished second to Grill at the Print Now 100 in June at Five Flags. Earlier this month, he posted another runner-up showing at the Redbud 300 in Anderson, Ind.

One thing is for sure. When it comes to Elliott, the son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, you can never count him out.

Johanna Long (No. 10)

Pensacola’s “she-ro� will be back in her comfort zone come Friday.

Long certainly has had her share of growing pains as a NASCAR trucks series rookie this year, although her most recent 17th-place finish in Indianapolis was her second highest showing.

But there never is any pain when the hometown girl returns to America’s favorite home track.

Long thrilled her legion of Five Flags fans when she became just the second female, and the youngest, to win the prestigious Snowball Derby last December.

With the 44th annual Derby just around the corner, she’d love to stoke the fires at the Rubber and Specialties 100 on Friday.

Blizzard Series Points Standings

1. Augie Grill, 182.00, Leader; 2. Grant Enfinger, 180.00, -2; 3. Bubba Pollard, 155.00, -27; 4. David Rogers, 119.00, -63, 5. Donnie Wilson, 114.00, -68; T6. Mike Garvey, 102.00, -80; T6. T.J. Reaid, 102.00, -80; 8. Chris Davidson, 89.00, -93; 9. D.J. VanderLey, 87.00, -95; 10. Ryan Crane, 80.00, -102; 11. Jeremy Pate, 76.00, -106; 12. Scott Carlson, 75.00, -107; 13. Johanna Long, 73.00, -109; 14. Allen Karnes, 64.00, -118; T15. Gary Sullivan Sr., 63.00, -119; T15. Dwayne Buggay, 63.00, -119; T15. Thomas Praytor, 63.00, -119; 18. Chase Elliott, 61.00, -121; 19. Travis Kittleson, 57.00, -125; 20. Clay Alexander, 55.00, -127; 21. Jeff Fultz, 52.00, -130; 22. David Odell, 45.00, -137; T23. Jerry Artuso, 42.00, -140; T23. Casey Smith, 42.00, -140; T23. Junior Niedecken, 42.00, -140; 26. Ryan Reed, 33.00, -149; 27. Paul Kelley, 30.00, -152; 28. Josh Hamner, 29.00, -153; T29. Kenzie Ruston, 21.00, -161; T29. Donald Long, 21.00, -161; T29. Bobby Good, 21.00, -161; T29. Dylan Presnell, 21.00, -161; 33. Ron McDonald, 20.00, -162.

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