PENSACOLA, Florida – After skipping last year’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, veteran Preston Peltier reminded the fans and his fellow competitors just how fast he still is.
Peltier patiently waited out a persistent rainfall to put down a blistering 16.240-second lap, which earned him his second career pole in the crown jewel Super Late Model event. Besting more than 40 of the best Super Late Model competitors in the country was a cathartic feeling for Peltier, but now he is determined to replicate that speed on Sunday afternoon in his final Snowball Derby.
“I had a perfect car and a good crew,” Peltier said. “All the puzzle pieces are here. I’ve never had a problem going fast for a couple laps, but I’m trying not to get too excited. Let’s see how I feel after 300 [laps] on Sunday.”
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During his career, Peltier has made 11 attempts at the Snowball Derby, successfully qualifying for 10 of them. The best performance Peltier has recorded in the event came in 2019, when he finished fifth. It’s a milestone Peltier believes he can improve upon if good fortunes continue to fall his way.
Joining Peltier on the front row for the Snowball Derby is Ty Majeski, a two-time Snowball Derby winner and the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion. Majeski led a race-high 192 laps in last year’s Snowball Derby and is looking to end 2025 on a positive note before taking over the No. 88 Menards Ford vacated by Matt Crafton at ThorSport Racing in 2026.
Of the four NASCAR Cup Series drivers entered in the Snowball Derby, Ryan Preece was the only one to lock into the main event with a top 30 qualifying run. Kyle Busch, a two-time Snowball Derby winner, earned a starting spot by winning the Last Chance Qualifier. Erik Jones and Noah Gragson, both former Snowball Derby winners, failed to qualify for the race.
Kaden Honeycutt, the defending Snowball Derby champion, will start 16th.
The green flag for the 58th Snowball Derby is set to wave at 12 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on Sunday afternoon, with FloRacing providing live coverage of the on-track action.