Are You Ready For the Snowball Derby?

^{Dec 5, 2024 | Edition #106}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

We hope you enjoyed the Lucky Dog’s Heartfelt Open Letter to Chase Elliott on his big day! But guess what? It's time to light the candles for another NASCAR star—our favorite watermelon farmer! Yep, Ross Chastain is celebrating his 32nd birthday!

This edition, however, is more than just about celebrating the melon man. Today, the Lucky Dog has also brought you everything you need to know about this year’s Snowball Derby. So buckle up for all juicy storylines, from who’s racing, and who’s not, to everything in between!

A Quick Glimpse Into Today’s Stories:

🍉 Melon-Man Blows the Candles!

🏁 Off-Season’s Most Awaited Race is Here

🤔 Why is Kyle Larson missing the Snowball Derby?

😐️ When Chase Elliott Almost Won the Tom Dowson Trophy!

 🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

Fans’ Love and Hate Relationship With Ross Chastain

Let's start this edition with a smash! To be more precise - the popular watermelon smash. Over the past two and a half years, whether you're scrolling through social media, attending a race, or watching on TV, Ross Chastain has been nearly impossible to ignore. 

You cannot avoid that his rise to prominence has brought excitement to NASCAR, but it has also sparked heated debates between the NASCAR fans. For every fan who loves him, there’s one who can’t stand him. So, what is it about Chastain that makes him so controversial?

First and foremost, unlike many drivers who enter the sport with sponsorships backed by family wealth, Chastain comes from humble beginnings. He’s not a "rich kid" trying to make a name for himself; he’s one of us—someone who had to work hard, overcome obstacles, and climb the racing ladder one step at a time. His blue-collar roots give him a relatability that is rare in today’s NASCAR world. Plus, being backed by NASCAR’s longtime partner, Anheuser-Busch, makes him even more retro now!

But what really sets Chastain apart is his aggressive driving style. He’s a guy who will do whatever it takes to win. Whether it's his infamous "Hail Melon" move at Martinsville or his no-holds-barred racing at Superspeedways, Chastain doesn’t shy away from making headlines. Who can forget him punching Noah Gragson? Here’s a video from the infamous Gragson-Chastain incident in Kansas.

And, if you don’t know, these aggressive edges have drawn comparisons to NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt. In fact, some fans even see Chastain as the next "Intimidator." Dale Jr himself has spoken about how Chastain’s style reminds him of his father and admits how he is unapologetic, bold, and backed by results. While Chastain might not yet have the same number of wins or championships, his ability to stir emotions, both in the stands and in the garage, shows that he’s carving out a unique persona in the sport.

If your favorite driver is in Chastain’s way, there’s a good chance he’ll make a move to pass them, no matter the consequences. Despite what the critics have to say, Chastain’s impact on the sport cannot be ignored. He’s undeniably one of the most exciting drivers to watch. Case in point? This year’s Kansas race, where Chastain played the ultimate playoff spoiler, proves that he’s as unpredictable as he is entertaining.

Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is clear: Ross Chastain isn’t going anywhere. On his birthday, Lucky Dog appreciates how he’s managed to capture all the attention and make us feel something—whether it’s joy, anger, or anticipation. Sure, it is a rare trait in the world of sports, but it’s something NASCAR needs to keep growing.

Post-Season Talks: Ross Chastain Refuses to Fuel Raging Martinsville Controversy With Bold 6-Word Declaration

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

Last Poll’s Result: When asked, ‘Who’s been the biggest crash magnet this season?’ a whopping 48.52% of you called out John Hunter Nemechek as the top culprit. Not too far behind was Corey LaJoie, with 27.84% of the votes.

🗣️ Talk of the NASCAR Town

Finally, Some Racing Action!

When the NASCAR season wraps up in November, many of us are left with a void until the next season kicks off. But there's one event that tries to fill that gap and delivers the kind of thrilling action we’ve come to love: the Snowball Derby!

Held annually at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, it draws in top-tier drivers and short-track legends alike for the coveted Tom Dawson Trophy and the $50,000 purse. It’s the perfect way to close out the year on a high note and get a taste of racing action before the big leagues rev up again in February.

If you are looking for NASCAR drivers, here’s all you can expect. The Cup Series regular, Noah Gragson, is a familiar face at Five Flags. Gragson, who took home the Snowball Derby victory in 2018, is back, aiming for another win. He’ll face stiff competition from short-track pro, Ty Majeski, who comes into the race as the defending champion.

Majeski, fresh off his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, has the chance to join the exclusive group of drivers with more than two Snowball Derby wins, a club currently only occupied by Rich Bickle.

Other NASCAR names like Johnny Sauter, Chandler Smith, and Derek Thorn are also joining the fray. This is just the tip of the iceberg—Bubba Pollard, a Super Late Model legend who’s won pretty much everything in Late Models, is yet to win the Derby, and is among the fan favorites looking to claim his first victory after 18 attempts. 

Also in the mix are young talents like William Sawalich, the defending ARCA Menards Series East champion, and Carson Kvapil, continuing the tradition of promising drivers making their mark on this prestigious race. However, if you look at the schedule and the roaster, the biggest names from the NASCAR Cup Series and past winners of the event are missing this time, including two-time winners, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and Erik Jones.

More Updates: Why Is 2x Champ Kyle Busch Not Racing for $50,000 in Snowball Derby?

📈 Trending News

Why Is Kyle Larson Avoiding $50,000 Worth Race?

Kyle Larson, a name that’s almost synonymous with racing dominance, is once again making headlines—but this time, it’s because he’s not racing in the Snowball Derby and his “break from Late Models” seems real. Despite his reputation as a Dirt Late Model hero and his "Yung Money" tag, Larson is skipping the famous event that’s offering up a cool $50,000 cash prize.

Well, it turns out Larson is all about those commitments. While most drivers would be chilling or making the most of a rare off-season, Larson is hardly sitting back. Instead, he’s all in on Sprint car racing—both as a driver and as a series owner. He’s not just a participant, he’s got a hand in running things too.

In fact, Larson's been non-stop. He recently wrapped up three major USAC events in late November, including one at Merced Speedway on November 23, another at Bakersfield Speedway on November 26, and finally, the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway on November 30, where he ended up 20th after a run-in with Corey Day. WATCH Here.

Larson’s got bigger things on the horizon. His High Limits Racing series is about to go international. That’s right, the series is heading down under. Larson announced earlier this year that he’d be in Perth, Australia, from December 28-30 for what’s shaping up to be the highest-paying Sprint Car race in Australian history at the Perth Motorplex with a race purse of $100,000. This event, which pits American drivers against Aussies, will wrap up his series’ season—so there’s no time for distractions.

But it’s not just about racing in Australia—Larson is also racing for a new team while he's there. He's partnered with Jason Pryde Motorsport. The team’s pumped to have Larson, calling him the biggest name in motorsport. And while Larson has raced in Australia before, he’s never been to Perth or the western side of the country.

And if you thought Kyle Larson’s calendar was packed enough already, there’s more. His participation in the Chili Bowl. While he skipped it in 2023 (due to the low race purse) and didn't qualify for the main event in 2024, we are yet to see if he'll be there this time. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. But don’t worry. The Lucky Dog will keep an eye on Larson’s next move to keep you updated. So stay tuned!

Current Updates: Kyle Larson Refuses to Adopt NASCAR’s ‘Monopolistic’ Methods, Avoids Facing Michael Jordan-esque Lawsuit

🔎 The In-Depth View

Chase Elliott’s Snowball Derby Misery

If there’s one name everyone would’ve loved to see at this year’s Snowball Derby, it’s Chase Elliott. The 7-time Most Popular Driver is usually the first name that pops into people’s minds when talking about NASCAR, but lately, it seems like he’s keeping a low profile when it comes to non-NASCAR events.

That’s probably because he doesn’t want to risk his Cup appearances like he did last year—resulting in him missing 7 races. And Chase Elliott very well regretted that, as he missed the playoffs for the first time. But it wasn’t always like this. Back in the day, Elliott was all about the Snowball Derby. In fact, he made history there, winning the race in 2011, and becoming the youngest driver ever. He also won again in 2015, before he became a full-time driver with Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series. 

If you count his 2013 victory—which many people forget—Elliott would be the winningest active NASCAR driver at the Derby. But here’s the catch: Elliott’s 2013 win didn’t stand. Back then, he was racing in the ARCA Menards Series and had already made a name for himself by becoming the youngest-ever ARCA Winner, taking the checkered flag at Pocono. Wanting to finish the year on a high, Elliott entered the Snowball Derby and ”grabbed the flag” and victory.

But, he was disqualified after post-race inspection due to a technicality, and Erik Jones ended up with the Tom Dawson Trophy for the second year in a row. A lot of people don’t know what went down behind the scenes, but veteran driver Kenny Wallace recently spilled the beans. 

According to Wallace, the issue was with the weight of Elliott’s car. “The rule is you have to run lead because it’s cheap. You have to run lead to bring your car up to weight,” but Elliott’s car had tungsten—an expensive material. Even though the tungsten didn’t provide a competitive edge, it still got him disqualified. 

Fans were pretty upset, calling the organizers petty, but Elliott, being the class act he is, took it all in stride. This wasn’t the only time Snowball Derby was known for being strict about its rules, and Elliott’s no stranger to that. In 2015, after Elliott’s second victory, Christopher Bell initially won but was later disqualified for failing the post-race weight inspection. Bell’s car was 0.3% over the 58% weight balance ratio, which gave Elliott his second Snowball Derby trophy. 

While Bell was understandably disappointed, Elliott showed his sportsmanship and empathy for the situation. Elliott might not be racing in the Derby this year, but here’s hoping we still get a thrilling race.

Continue Reading: Scarred by Injury, Is Rick Hendrick’s Worst Fear Behind Chase Elliott Avoiding Snowball Derby?

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

1. Chase Elliott Trolls Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Fans - Full Story

2. “I Don’t Have That Income”: Tony Stewart Owns Up NHRA Struggles - Full Story

3. Kyle Busch’s Son Pokes Fun at “Bossy” Samantha Busch - Full Story

4. France Family Moves to Terminate Michael Jordan and Co’s “Misguided Attempt” - Full Story

5. 44-YO Denny Hamlin Could Be Pushed to Retirement - Full Story

✨ Featured Comment

While most of you questioned John Hunter Nemechek’s talent, our Super Fan - Dennis Sciame hinted at the bigger issue…

Lucky Dog's Take: We have seen a fair share of drivers creating chaos on the track. But nobody really comes close to John Hunter Nemechek. Crashing in 52% of the races he entered is pretty insane if you ask the Lucky Dog, especially considering rookies, like Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, fared far better than him. So is JHN learning or just being reckless?

If you have any such comments, let us know in the polls. You can also write back to us. With this, the next Lucky Dog on Track 'Featured Comment' could be yours.

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