11/8/2012
Five Flags Speedway
Four-Tire Pit Stops Allowed at 45th Annual Snowball Derby
Snowflake 100 Also Switches to One Last Chance Race on Saturday
51 Sports PR
The annual draw of the Snowball Derby is the best-of-the-best going head-to-head with each other, whether it is drivers, crew chiefs, car owners or pit crewmembers. The 300-lap event at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, on December 2nd offers a test of endurance and a chance for teams to make pit stops as the advantage of fresh tires is always at a premium.
Last year Five Flags Speedway experimented with a two-tire per stop rule. Derby officials felt that rule resulted in confusion and major congestion on pit road. With that in mind, it was announced today that in this year’s edition of the race, teams will be allowed to change four tires on a pit stop once again during the Derby.
"Our aim and purpose last year was to try and cut costs with the two tire deal," said FFS General Manager Tim Bryant. "We had hoped to see teams not go out and hire crews for going over the wall on Sunday. The bigger teams still did it and the advantage was maintained. It really just ended up making for a busy pit road and extra caution laps to sort out the lineup."
Teams will have the opportunity to make two or four tire stops at their discretion in this year’s 45th annual Snowball Derby. No other major procedure changes are being made to the Super Late Model portion of the weekend, however, teams are encouraged to read the information on the track website at 5FlagsSpeedway.com.
"The change was really made because this is the Snowball Derby," said Bryant. "We know fans love to see the pit stops and the strategy is still there of changing tires and making the crew a part of the emphasis as well. We are sure some teams will still only do two-tire stops to stay on the lead as well, so it should be exciting to see all the strategy."
Five Flags Speedway also wanted to remind teams that are traveling in from other areas of the country certain rules that were in place this season at the racetrack.
"We want to make sure teams are aware of the changes since last year’s Snowball Derby,� added Bryant. “The Crane Cam Ignition #6000-6701 is mandatory at a lot of southern tracks, including at Five Flags Speedway. We are also doing away with the adjustable restrictor plates this year. You now have to race with the same restrictor plate combination with which you qualify with."
For the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 for Pro Late Models on Saturday night, December 1st, teams will have a bit of a change to the qualifying format. In the past, the drivers who did not lock themselves into the top 30 in time trials would have to run one of two last-chance races that were at a distance of 25 laps. This year that will change to one last chance race with a distance of 50-laps.
"It's worked really well to have only one last chance race for the Snowball Derby, so we’ve decided to do this format with the Snowflake cars as well," stated Bryant. "We understood it was hard for teams to make advancement in only 25 laps. Now that it will be one long race, teams who do qualify will be allowed to get new tires for the feature."
On Wednesday, November 28th, Snowball Derby week will open for all teams with Tech-Day.  The top 10 in Blizzard Series points and the top 10 in Allen Turner Pro Late Model points will be allowed to go to the tech station first. All other cars will be subject to safety and secured-weight inspections in their pit area. Cars are required to have lead painted white with the car numbers visible on the lead itself in red or black. It also must be mounted with the minimum of at least half-inch bolts.
The 45th Annual Snowball Derby kicks off on Wednesday, November 28th with the Green Flag Party. As the teams unload and begin the tech process, fans from 5pm to 9pm CT can meet the drivers and see the cars that will compete during Snowball Derby weekend. The first on-track activity comes on Thursday, as practice for the Super and Pro Late Models commences. Later that evening, qualifying and feature action for the Five Flags Speedway Bomber and Sportsmen divisions will take place.
On Friday, November 30th, it’s WXBM Pole Night, as the top 30 in Snowball Derby qualifying will be locked into Sunday’s 300-lap feature. More practice for the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100 cars will take place, as well as a full card of Super Stock and Modified action.
Then on Saturday, December 1st, it’s the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 time trials, qualifying races and the 100-lap feature, plus final practice for the Snowball Derby cars and a 50-lap last-chance qualifying race for the Snowball Derby.
Finally, the 45th Annual Snowball Derby will then go green on Sunday, December 2nd at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.
Tickets and reserved camping spots are still available, but are going fast. To order tickets or to reserve a camping spot, call the Five Flags Speedway box office at (850) 944-8400.
For more information about Five Flags Speedway and the 45th Annual Snowball Derby weekend, please visit www.5flagsspeedway.com, www.snowballderby.com or contact the track by calling (850) 944-8400.