---

Snowball Notebook: No Big Issues in Tech; Grill Arrives Late

December 2, 2015 • App, Archives, Late Models, Snowball Derby, Top Stories

Lengthy Technical Inspection, but No Major Issues for Contenders

Close to 120 Super Late Models and Pro Late Models went through technical inspection for the 48^thAnnual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway on Wednesday afternoon.

Some, like defending winner John Hunter Nemechek, had to go through more than once while others missed the five o’clock cutoff, but most of the favorites had no major issues.

 

“It actually went pretty smooth, just minor nitpick stuff,� Nemechek told Speed51.com powered by JEGS.  “There wasn’t too much that we had to change.  We brought a new car here so it’s new stuff.�

 

Bubba Pollard, a pre-race favorite heading into the weekend, is still searching for his first Snowball Derby victory, and was positive with the entire experience as well.

 

“Ricky’s done a great job at getting all the cars equal and everybody knows what he expects,� Pollard applauded.  “When everybody is prepared it makes things a lot easier.�

Indifferent Opinions Despite Varied Qualifying Draw Results

Pollard and Nemechek were at different sections of the order for Friday’s pole qualifying that will set the top 30 starting positions for Sunday’s race.

 

Nemechek pulled in the IP Casino Qualifying Draw Wednesday evening around where fast qualifier Hunter Robbins did one year ago (26^th of 63 cars).  He knows what is still required of him to get the job done come Friday night during NASH 102.7 FM Pole Night.

 

“You just have to buckle down and do what you need to do,� said the defending Snowball Derby winner.  “The pole here has come from the top-five once and come from the back other times.  I don’t really think it matters when you go out.�

 

 

Pollard, who drew to qualify among the first 10 cars, echoed Nemechek’s thoughts.

 

“Going early is not a bad thing; it depends on whether dew or other things go along with it.  As long as you’ve got a good racecar you’ll qualify up front.�

 

Augie Grill Again a Late Arrival, But Ready to Go

A year ago, Augie Grill was not even present at the CAT Country/WEAR-TV Green Flag Party.  In 2015, the two-time recipient of the Tom Dawson Trophy made an appearance with his hauler around 4:30 p.m. CT near the conclusion of technical inspection.

“We’re a little ahead of schedule this year,� Grill actually admitted.  “Been really busy the last couple weeks so we don’t try to get in any kind of hurry finishing our own stuff.  I made sure my two cars were ready to go.  Yesterday it rained at the house all day long, so we didn’t load up.  We loaded this morning, took our time, and got here.�

 

Grill drew late in the order, but like Nemechek and Pollard is aware that it does not exactly come down to where you line up in the order.

 

“I was telling somebody earlier that I’ve been the first car out once and the second car out twice for the Snowball, and all three times we’ve been pretty good.  If you’ve got a good car it doesn’t matter when you go out.�

 

Luza Hopes Third Motor is the Charm

 

The Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model champion, “Flyin� Ryan Luza, has not been able to celebrate that accomplishment a whole lot while preparing for the Snowflake 100.  Despite some recent obstacles, the Texas driver made it through tech and was loaded up by mid-afternoon.

 

“We’ve changed three motors in the past week so I’m anxious for tomorrow,� Luza noted.  “It didn’t come in until about nine o’clock last night.  I went to the Beef O’ Brady’s party and they were getting it into the shop so it was a late night.  We got home about 2 or 2:30, got a few hours of sleep, and came back.�

 

The engine comes from one of the top teams in Late Model racing and has the 16th place finisher in last year’s Snowflake excited for a top run this week.

 

“I’m really optimistic about it,� Luza said.  “We got the motor from Jeff Burton, so that’s a good sign for me and it might be even better than our motor.�

 

Preston Peltier Set On Success

The trailer may be squished between two big haulers, but Preston Peltier has assembled an effort from across the country to accomplish Derby success.

“We have left nothing on the table,� Peltier said.  “I feel like if I’m ever going to win this race it’s going to be this year.  We came and tested a couple of races throughout the summer and September and really got a good package.�

 

Combined with Colorado team owner Ed Vecchiarelli, crew chief Duane Sharp who guided Southwest champion Jim Pettit II to many victories, a Hamke Race Car and a Progressive motor, Peltier is pumped up to get on track and shoot for the victory.

 

“The little trailer doesn’t mean anything.  I’ve got everything that I need in there, just the same as all these other guys and I maybe have more.  This is going to be our best effort right here.�

 

Peltier drew very late in the order and will go out to qualify most likely once the sun goes down on Friday.

 

Justin South Pairs with Different Team, Tribute Name on Pro Late Model

 

Justin South has qualified well and come close to winning in past Snowflake runnings, but is partially working with a different group in 2015.

 

“I’m driving for Larry Blount this year in the 21 car and I’m really happy with the effort that Dustin Skinner and Larry and my guys have put forward,� South said.  “I’m really excited because it’s nice to sometimes get some different stuff, try different things, and work with different brains.  I think if we ease through the week and not dial ourselves out we’ll get there at the end.�

 

There is also an interesting name on the roof, which serves as a tribute to a close family member.

 

“My grandfather passed away a couple weeks ago and he drag raced professionally in the 70s,� South continued.  “His cars were named Corrupter and Corrupter II, so we’re Corrupter III.  Just a little tribute to my grandfather.�

 

Thursday’s Coverage on Speed51.com

Tomorrow’s coverage of Snowball Derby Practice Day on Speed51.com powered by JEGS kicks off at 9 a.m. CT.  Two hours of pre-recorded Snowball Derby & Snowflake 100 practice will be broadcast live on Speed51 TV beginning at 6 p.m. CT.  That will lead into a live broadcast of feature races for the Bomber & Sportsman divisions.

 

Purchase your Speed51 TV live online video ticket by clicking here.

 

The Speed51 Network will also have exclusive interviews and other videos posted throughout the day.

 

Subscribe to the Speed51 Network by clicking here.

 

Qualifying Order – 48th Annual Snowball Derby

1	1	Tim Martin
2	129	Spencer Davis
3	5	Dalton Sargeant
4	H2	Bret Holmes
5	51	Stephen Nasse
6	94	Quinnton Bear
7	26	Bubba Pollard
8	3	Kaz Grala
9	7	John DeAngelis, Jr.
10	75	Jeremy Doss
11	11	Logan Boyett
12	4	Kyle Plott
13	57	Cole Timm
14	99	Junior Niedecken
15	5	Daniel Hemric
16	31	Kyle Grissom
17	43	Derek Thorn
18	99	Casey Smith
19	04	Dalton Armstrong
20	42	Dennis Prunty
21	10	Steve Dorer
22	12	Harrison Burton
23	23	Dalton Grindle
24	2	D.J. VanderLey
25	2W	Donnie Wilson
26	8	John Hunter Nemechek
27	5	Jerry Artuso
28	83	Scotty Ellis
29	7	Casey Roderick
30	42	Chad Finley
31	18	Quin Houff
32	43	Dennis Schoenfeld
33	92	Ronald McDonald
34	98	Todd Gilliland
35	7	Paul Shafer, Jr.
36	11	David Rogers
37	29	Caleb Adrian
38	79	Kyle Bryant
39	13	Cassius Clark
40	811	Mason Mingus
41	53	Boris Jurkovic
42	47	Allen Karnes
43	22	Josh Bragg
44	77	Zane Smith
45	89	Roger Reuse
46	112	Augie Grill
47	47	Brian Campbell
48	04	Corey Roper
49	1	Garrett Jones
50	21	Johanna Long
51	67	Clay Jones
52	96	Wade Day
53	20	Cole Rouse
54	51	Michael Atwell
55	07	Corey LaJoie
56	91	Ty Majeski
57	48	Preston Peltier
58	9	William Byron
59	51	Christopher Bell
60	9	Derek Kraus
61	8	Noah Gragson
62	9	Chase Elliott
63	15	Christian Eckes

 

Snowflake 100 Qualifying Order

1	39	Kenzie Ruston
2	129	Spencer Davis
3	H2	Bret Holmes
4	17	Kurt Guillot
5	84	Martin Latulippe
6	08	Travis Nelson
7	12	Justin Steiner
8	9	Derek Thorn
9	03	Donny Kelley
10	41	Tony Grisaffi
11	54	Clay Green
12	21	Riley Thornton
13	51	Kaz Grala
14	10	Matt Montineri
15	95	Derrick Griffin
16	26	Chandler Smith
17	28	Bryce Dulanhan
18	10	R.S. Senter
19	47	Dakota Stroup
20	07	Brandon Setzer
21	9	Chase Elliott
22	04	Dalton Armstrong
23	51	Zachary Knowles
24	21	Brandon Johnson
25	8	John Hunter Nemechek
26	01	Derek Scott, Jr.
27	16	Vinnie Miller
28	50	Ty Roberts
29	72	Scott Hantz
30	14	Connor Okrzesik
31	36	Rodney Benefield
32	51	Perry Patino
33	1	Garrett Jones
34	88	Bobby Reuse
35	97	Cole Anderson
36	11	Brad May
37	29	Preston Bores
38	91	Chris Freeland
39	96	Steven Davis
40	96	Jake Kruger
41	4	Elliott Massey
42	43	Justin South
43	00	Brandon Curren
44	18	Paul Ryan
45	30	Rusty Sanford
46	12	Dan Leeck
47	75	Colin Crawford-Kraft
48	45	Dwayne Buggay
49	13	John Robicheaux
50	6	Josh Williams
51	8	Scotty Tomasik
52	33	Dustin Smith
53	77	Zane Smith
54	18	Hunter Robbins
55	99	Junior Niedecken
56	30	Bobby Knox, Jr.
57	55	Ronnie Osmer
58	23	Dalton Grindle
59	04	Corey Roper
60	112	Augie Grill
61	00	Anthony Cataldi
62	5w	Justin Wakefield
63	50	David Jones
64	42	Chad Finley
65	26	Bubba Pollard
66	51M	Mason Mitchell
67	11	Johanna Long
68	53	Kyle Ivey
69	22	Josh Bragg
70	05	Bayley Currey
71	14	Ryan Luza

 

-By Aaron Creed, Speed51.com Central NY & PA Editor – Twitter: @aaron_creed

-Photo credit: Speed51.com

Back to News