11/27/2024
Five Flags Speedway
Allen Turner Snowflake Front Row Bonus Announced
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - It has been done before, but not this way. Officials and staff at Five Flags Speedway have announced that, in addition to the $10,000 first-place prize for the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 on Dec. 7, there will be a challenge bonus for the pole sitter.
Thanks to Family Funeral and Cremation, if the top driver in qualifying elects to start at the rear of the field, and they can win the race, they will receive a bonus of $3,000. If the pole sitter does not select the option, then the outside pole sitter has the same option to receive the bonus. If both drivers agree to the challenge then the bonus becomes $5,000 to the winner, making for a $15,000 payday.
The last three Snowflake 100 events have been won from the pole, and this is an effort to add even more excitement to Saturday night during the 57th annual Snowball Derby presented by FloSports.
“We wanted to give the teams that qualify up front a little more to race for and, with that, the fans will be on the edge of their seats if the driver elects to go for the bonus,” said track General Manager Tim Bryant. “We have seen drivers come from deep starting spots, so history proves that it can be done.”
Ryan Crane won from 32nd in 2007, Chase Elliott from 31st in 2010, Augie Grill from 23rd in 2016 and Jake Johnson from 31st in 2020. Faster cars coming from the back have always made the Snowflake the most exciting tune-up race for the Snowball Derby. Seven times in the last 11 years the hard charger for the race has finished inside the top five.
“We have seen it time and time again that a fast car can get through traffic here,” added Bryant. “It’s not going to be an easy task by any means, but that’s why there is a bonus and it is a challenge.”
Drivers will be asked before the start of the main event if they want to take the challenge in the Snowflake 100.
The Snowball Derby gets underway on Dec. 4 with the annual parking of the rigs and pit party. Late Model teams, both Pro and Super Late Model, will draw for qualifying positions at the stage on the front stretch. The order of draw will be determined by the order of entry.
Thursday will see the first on-track action of the busy weekend when the Super Late Models and the Pro Late Models will hit the track for a full morning and afternoon of practice. Later that night the Sportsman, Pure Stocks, and Pro Trucks will take to the track for their feature events.
Fast Friday will see more practice for the Super Late Models and the Pro Late Models leading up to time trials for the 57th Annual Snowball Derby at 6 pm Central. The top 30 drivers will lock themselves into the field for Sunday’s main event. The nightcap will feature the Modified of Mayhem 2024 Championship Race, plus a Crown Stock Invitational.
Saturday is by far the busiest day at the track with practice in the morning for the Late Models before the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 cars take to the track in the mid-afternoon. Following time trials the last chance races for the Snowflake 100 and the 57th Annual Snowball Derby will occur. The 21st Annual Allen Turner Snowflake 100 will roll at 7pm, followed by the Outlaw Division.
It all leads to Sunday, the 57th running of the Snowball Derby. Green Flag will be at 1 pm CT for the 300-lap Super Late Model event.
For more information on the 57th Annual Snowball Derby go to www.snowballderby.com.
Article Credit: Elgin Traylor
