Christopher Bell will make his long-awaited return to the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025, according to a source close to the Joe Gibbs Racing driver — his new teammate, Chase Briscoe.
The new driver of the No. 19 JGR Toyota broke the news Tuesday morning that the three-time winner of the prestigious indoor midget race would make his return to Tulsa, Oklahoma after a two-year hiatus. Bell had been sidelined from the event after JGR halted its drivers from extracurricular racing, a restriction recently lifted by the team.
Bell confirmed the rumor himself, but there’s a backstory to why it was Briscoe breaking the news. In a June press conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bell accidentally let slip that Briscoe would be a Gibbs teammate in 2025 … which was rumored at the time but far from confirmed by the team at that point. Bell laterofficially introduced Briscoe at the press conference announcing the move, and Briscoe was able to repay the favor with the Chili Bowl news.
The Oklahoma native will look to reclaim his throne after a bit of a drought following three straight Chili Bowl victories from 2017-19, just the second driver to achieve such a feat after Kevin Swindell’s record four straight wins. Friendly rival Kyle Larson won the two following Bells three-peat, with Tanner Thorson and Logan Seavey (two) combining to win the most recent three.
Nick Oxford | NASCAR Digital Media
Bell’s return adds another chapter to his compelling rivalry with Larson in addition to an already stacked field that so far includes the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ, Briscoe and two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Larson was recently asked if Bell could face initial challenges after his time away from dirt racing but maintains confidence in his longtime rival’s abilities.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins his first race back,” Larson noted, setting the stage for another potential showdown between the two dirt racing titans.
The Chili Bowl Nationals start Jan. 12, 2025, and run through Jan. 18, with coverage on FloRacing.
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2024) — NASCAR and GOVX, the online shopping platform exclusively for current and former military, first responders, emergency medical professionals, educators and other government service personnel, announced today an official multiyear partnership that strengthens NASCAR’s longstanding commitment to the military and first responder communities.
Through this new partnership, GOVX will serve as the Presenting Sponsor and Official Verification Partner of the NASCAR Miltix program, offering discounted race tickets of 15% off or more to NASCAR-owned tracks nationwide. Eligible service members will be able to access this benefit through both NASCAR.com and GOVX.com.
First responders and other Americans of service will also be eligible to receive the ticket discount offering through the partnership. With an existing membership of over 9.5M, GOVX will help to amplify NASCAR’s commitment to this deserving community.
“Since the inception of our sport, honoring members of the military has been a big piece of the fabric that makes up NASCAR and, in partnership with GOVX, the Miltix program is one of many ways we’re able to do that,” said Michelle Byron, NASCAR executive vice president, chief partnership and licensing officer. “There is nothing better than the at-track NASCAR experience, and thanks to GOVX and the Miltix program, it’s even easier for current and former members of the military to access that experience.”
The Official Partnership will also be supported through robust promotion on GOVX.com, GOVX signage at NASCAR tracks throughout the race season, commercial inventory within NASCAR TV broadcasts, and through NASCAR.com and other digital media placements.
“Over the decades, NASCAR has shown an unwavering appreciation and dedication to our nation’s heroes, both on the track and off,” said Alan Cole, GOVX CEO. “The opportunity to partner with such a prestigious organization is a privilege, and we look forward to bringing the pulse of America’s racing spirit to the GOVX community.”
NASCAR has a long-tenured and deep-seated appreciation for the military through initiatives such as the annual NASCAR Salutes and Troops to the Track programs, a partnership with Honor and Remember and supporting the mission of Sound Off, a nonprofit organization founded to help reduce veteran suicide through free and anonymous mental health support for veterans and service members.
Editor’s note: This continues the series where we review each 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver in reverse order of championship finish.
Season in review: Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Crew chief: Chris Gayle Final 2024 ranking: 15th Key stats: Eight top fives, 12 top 10s, 417 laps led, two poles
How 2024 ended: When the season began, there likely were some observers who wondered whether the young Gibbs (who turned 22 on October 4) would fall victim to a dreaded NASCAR sophomore jinx. But such was not the case for the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, as Ty enjoyed a significantly better second season in 2024 than he did in his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023. While Gibbs still has yet to win a Cup race, he had a strong 2024 season, including finishing the 26-race regular season in ninth place and advancing to the playoffs for the first time. Once the playoffs began, however, Gibbs was eliminated after the first round. He finished 30th or worse in the final five races of the season, including crashing out after the first lap of the season finale at Phoenix, dropping him to a disappointing 15th-place overall finish in what was still otherwise an encouraging 2024 campaign.
Best race: Gibbs had a number of strong outings, but his season and career-best finish was a runner-up showing in the season’s first of two events at Darlington Raceway in the 2024 Goodyear 400 (Race No. 13). After qualifying fourth, Gibbs tackled the track that’s billed as “Too Tough To Tame,” leading 34 of the event’s 293 laps and earning the first runner-up of his Cup career.
Other season highlights: Gibbs had a number of other strong races, including third-place finishes at Phoenix, Austin, Chicago and Michigan. What stands out among those races, as well as his runner-up at Darlington’s springtime race, was Gibbs’ ability to be a strong contender on all different types of race tracks. Known as primarily a short-track racer, he really showed his developing versatility across all types of tracks, expanding his repertoire by doing well not just at a short track (Phoenix) but also at a tough mid-sized track (Darlington), a road course (Austin), street course (Chicago) and 2-mile speedway (Michigan). One other race of note: even though he finished ninth in the Food City 500 Bristol spring race, he led a career-high 137 laps, second-highest in that race to winner and teammate Denny Hamlin’s 163 laps.
Stat to know: If there’s one stat that really stands out, it was Gibbs’ ability to get to the front of the pack and to be comfortable there: he led 112 laps as a rookie and nearly quadrupled that with 417 laps led in 2024. All told, Gibbs improved in virtually every statistical category from his rookie season, most notably in top-five finishes. He earned four top fives in 2023, and then doubled that performance with eight top fives in 2024 — including a runner-up, four top-three finishes and three other fifth-place showings.
Quotable: “We had some good runs this year, been in contention to almost win races like Chicago and Michigan. We were close. I think we’re on our way, we just need to get better faster. (We were) not good enough, like a ‘C’ (grade), I guess. For me, 22-year-old Ty is just trying to make it happen.” – Ty Gibbs.
Looking ahead: Two things are key for Gibbs in 2025: to continue his overall improvement and to hopefully and finally earn his first NASCAR Cup Series win. He’s come close in his first 87 starts but has not been able to grab the checkered flag. As for 2025, Gibbs will have a new crew chief. Tyler Allen, who was crew chief for eight of the nine wins for JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity team this past season, will move up to the Cup Series ranks to join Gibbs. Chris Gayle, who had been Gibbs’ crew chief for his first two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, moves over to become Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, while Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s former crew chief, has been promoted to JGR’s director of competition.
Editor’s note: This begins the series in which we review each 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver in reverse order of championship finish.
Season in review: Harrison Burton, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins, Grant Hutchens Final 2024 Ranking: 16th Key stats: One win, one top five, two top 10s, 13 laps led
How 2024 ended: Burton’s third year of full-time racing in NASCAR’s premier series propelled him to new heights while continuing to learn the Cup Series ropes. The 24-year-old Huntersville, North Carolina native not only tallied his first career Cup Series win in his 98th Cup start but additionally raced among 15 other playoff drivers for the chance to hoist the coveted Bill France Cup. Three finishes of 24th or worse in the Round of 16 resulted in the Wood Brothers Racing pilot’s elimination from title contention, but that didn’t prevent the No. 21 Ford from racing with conviction week in and week out, tallying two finishes of 16th or better over the final four races of the season. Although his 25.7 average finish was a step back from prior marks (22.8 in 2022 and 24.7 in 2023), the young Burton continued to log pivotal starts as he continues to build his resume in the Cup Series.
Best race: He might’ve led only one lap, but Burton’s electric — and emotional — victory at Daytona International Speedway takes the cake, and for good reason. His last-lap pass for the win over two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch not only netted Burton his first win but additionally garnered his first Cup playoff berth. The victory was monumental for not just Burton but Wood Brothers Racing; the win was the team’s 100th and its first since Ryan Blaney found Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway in 2017. Topping the race triumph off with Harrison’s father, Jeff, on the NBC broadcast call? Priceless.
Other season highlights: Although he was eliminated from title contention, Burton closed out the season on relatively solid footing, even more impressive given a switch at crew chief from Jeremy Bullins to Grant Hutchens with two races to go. Over those final two contests — at Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway — Burton tallied two starts inside the top 10 (sixth at Martinsville, ninth at Phoenix), marking the only instance the No. 21 started back-to-back races with such strong track position in 2024.
Stat to know: Five of Burton’s six finishes inside the top 15 occurred on tracks 1.5 miles or longer. Burton finished 11th at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February, 10th at Talladega Superspeedway in April, 14th at Michigan International Speedway in August, first at Daytona in August and 15th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. Burton’s only finish inside the top 15 on a track shorter than 1.5 miles came at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.
Quotable: “It’s just been so hard, and that’s the way it should be. The Cup Series is really, really hard. But to get the Wood Brothers’ 100th win, get my very first Cup win, it’s just really, really hard to put in words.” — Harrison Burton on Daytona triumph.
Looking ahead: With Wood Brothers Racing tabbing Josh Berry as No. 21 driver next season, Burton and his now-former organization will part ways, with Burton slated to return to the Xfinity circuit as full-time pilot of AM Racing’s flagship Ford in 2025. Although the transition ends Burton’s three-year run as a full-time Cup Series driver, the move allows the driver to continue harnessing his racing craft in a series where he’s had past success, collecting four wins, 25 top fives and 44 top 10s across two full-time seasons in 2020-21.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — At 21, Kaden Honeycutt is already well-versed in the motorsports industry.
The Willow Park, Texas native has found success across numerous racing disciplines, his accomplishments ranging from dirt late model wins in his home state to finding Victory Lane twice with the ARCA Menards Series West.
Up until Sunday’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, Honeycutt had yet to prevail in a Super Late Model. Competing in the southeast over the past several years got Honeycutt acclimated to nearly every driver in the 30-car field.
On Sunday, he had to figure how to beat them all in the discipline’s most cherished race.
Experience helped Honeycutt remain strong against two Super Late Model standouts in Stephen Nasse and defending Snowball Derby champion Ty Majeski during the closing laps. Nasse’s valiant charge was not enough to usurp Honeycutt, who claimed the most significant victory of his young career to date.
The moment carried tremendous weight for Honeycutt, overwhelmed physically from adrenaline and emotionally from having years of tireless work pay off with a Tom Dawson Trophy.
“It’s definitely unbelievable,” Honeycutt said. “I grew up walking [at Five Flags]. This is literally where I took my first steps. There’s a lot of history here for my family here. I knew I could do it, and I knew [my team] could do it.
“This was a matter of putting the pieces together. We worked our asses off, and it paid off.”
Honeycutt brought plenty of knowledge about Five Flags to Sunday’s Snowball Derby, but it had been three years since his last appearance in the crown jewel event.
Four previous Snowball Derby attempts yielded mixed results for Honeycutt. The best of these appearances took place in 2020, when Honeycutt qualified on the outside pole and led 26 laps before settling for a fifth-place performance.
When Honeycutt elected to pursue a Snowball Derby ride for 2024, he wanted to proceed the correct way. He ended up forming a partnership with Jett Motorsports operated by Larry Blount, who was one year removed from a third place run in the Snowball Derby with 2019 winner Travis Braden.
Having another Snowball Derby champion in Derek Thorn as a teammate in a Jett Motorsports Pro Late Model only bolstered Honeycutt’s confidence ahead of Sunday afternoon. With everything on his side, it came down to Honeycutt to execute his job perfectly.
The arduous week at Five Flags almost started off perfectly for Honeycutt. After setting a stellar time of 16.203 seconds early in Friday’s qualifying session, Honeycutt waited patiently to see if the lap would hold until the final car.
Majeski denied Honeycutt his first pole with a 16.175, but no one else topped Honeycutt the rest of the evening. Just like in 2020, Honeycutt started the Snowball Derby from the outside pole with clean track in front of him.
The presence of a two-time Snowball Derby winner like Majeski never intimidated Honeycutt throughout the 300-lap race. Although Majeski did most of the leading, Honeycutt made sure to keep the veteran racer in his sight all day by exchanging the top spot on several occasions.
Honeycutt’s primary challenge during a 20-lap sprint to the finish did not come in the form of Majeski, but rather Nasse. Fresh off his maiden Snowflake 100 victory the previous evening, Nasse needed precious time to work his way around Majeski before attempting to overtake Honeycutt for his first Snowball Derby triumph in 14 years.
One last dive bomb from Nasse in Turn 3 on the final lap was not enough to move Honeycutt out of the groove. Nasse had to settle for heartbreak, while Honeycutt was filled with jubilation as he crossed the start-finish line.
“I was trying not to look in the mirror,” Honeycutt said. “Once [my spotter] told me [Nasse] was two back on the backstretch on the white, he said to drive it in hard, so I drove it in hard. He was tight to me, so I throttled up to make sure he couldn’t get to me. It was crazy.”
Kaden’s Honeycutt triumph on Sunday puts him amidst an elite group of drivers who have won a Snowball Derby. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
Defeating many of the Super Late Model mainstays like Nasse, Majeski, Bubba Pollard and Chandler Smith validated the sacrifices and strain Honeycutt has endured to reach this point in his career.
Since making the decision to venture away from Texas into other regions of the United States, Honeycutt wanted to bet on himself and prove he could make it to NASCAR. The gamble has paid off with multiple Late Model Stock wins, ARCA Menards Series West victories and a Pro Late Model championship.
Now that gamble has translated into a Snowball Derby victory.
There were times throughout the week when Honeycutt was unsure of his chances about procuring a Snowball Derby victory. Honeycutt understood the pedigree of the competition he was dealing with, but he was determined to work closely with Jett Motorsports so his No. 21 had race-winning speed Sunday.
“On Sunday during pre-testing, all we worked on was mock runs,” Honeycutt said. “That’s the same thing we did Thursday and Friday. We did no race runs until [Saturday], and I was honestly kind of concerned about it. I knew [Majeski] was going to be tough to beat, and I didn’t think we’d be that good. Once the race came around, we were good.
“That’s what all these races are about, making it there, staying up front all day and giving yourself a chance.”
Now with a Snowball Derby victory on his resume, Honeycutt is turning his attention toward a busy 2025. He will chase a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2025 with Niece Motorsports, an organization with which he already has two top fives.
Until Daytona International Speedway comes around in February, Honeycutt plans to cherish his marquee accomplishment. Only a handful of names have had the privilege of prevailing in the Snowball Derby, a list that includes Majeski, Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Rich Bickle, Jeff Purvis and more.
Honeycutt now joins that prestigious group in his early 20s, which leaves him plenty of time to tally more victories not only in the Snowball Derby, but any form of racing in which he chooses to compete.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A lot has changed for Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Super Late Model program since their first Snowball Derby attempt with Ryan Preece in 2023.
The most notable difference is the additional support the No. 62 has for Sunday’s big race at Five Flags Speedway. In October, KHI announced an alliance with Rackley W.A.R. for the 2025 season. The deal will see Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan compete under their new partner’s banner in short-track events across the country.
Willie Allen, who co-owns Rackley W.A.R. alongside Curtis Sutton, sees Sunday’s Snowball Derby as an opportunity to build more cohesion with KHI before the new year. Given Harvick’s influence, Allen is setting high expectations for the No. 62 and the rest of the Rackley W.A.R. armada.
William Sawalich will start third in the 2024 Snowball Derby driving for KHI and Rackley W.A.R. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
“I’m definitely excited to have a partnership with Kevin and KHI,” Allen said. “It means a lot to have that caliber of a guy that believes in us and trusts our program. He’s come on board as a consultant for us on the [NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series] team and is racing for us some. We’re excited about [the Snowball Derby] and next year.”
Harvick drove a Rackley W.A.R. Pro Late Model at Florence Motor Speedway in August to lay the foundation for the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion to team up with the burgeoning operation.
It did not take long for Allen and Harvick to find common ground with their goals, particularly with driver development. Since forming Rackley W.A.R. in 2021, Allen has helped numerous young competitors refine their race craft at the grassroots level such as Dawson Sutton, Curtis’ son, and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch.
Like Allen, Harvick has been occupied with developing talent since restarting KHI. The 2024 season was a successful one for KHI in Late Model Stocks, as Brent Crews visited Victory Lane three times with the program, all while Landen Lewis broke out for his first win at North Carolina’s Wake County Speedway.
Kevin Harvick during the CARS Tour Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2023. (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)
In only a few years, both Rackley W.A.R. and KHI have grown to possess so much influence at the short track level. Allen knew combining resources and ideologies could only benefit everyone involved, especially with Rackley W.A.R. moving from Centerville, Tennessee to Statesville, North Carolina during the winter.
Despite dealing with so much change, Allen was determined to start his new relationship with Harvick on a positive note. Every interaction with Harvick so far has only reinforced to Allen why partnering with KHI was a great idea.
“When you talk to Kevin, it’s no secret as to why he’s successful,” Allen said. “He’s so organized, very well put together and definitely a smart guy. He knows how to win as a driver and an owner and brings so much to the table.”
Harvick’s insight was invaluable to Allen as Rackley W.A.R. made final preparations for the Snowball Derby. Four cars comprise the Snowball Derby roster for Rackley W.A.R. between Super Late Models and Pro Late Models. Allen believes and of them can notch a win.
The driver piloting the KHI-branded No. 62 for Rackley W.A.R. is defending ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich, who is making his second Snowball Derby appearance. Sawalich brings plenty of Super Late Model success to the seat having previously triumphed in the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Nearly everything has gone according to plan for Sawalich at Five Flags this week. Exchanging feedback with Rackley W.A.R. enabled Sawalich to quickly find a comfort zone that he believes bolsters his odds of taking home the prestigious Tom Dawson Trophy.
“When we tested, we worked on some front turn and got to the point where we needed [to be],” Sawalich said. “We have some speed. I’ve got some good guys behind me, and it’s been good working with Rackley [W.A.R.]. I feel like we’re a good team, so hopefully on Sunday we’ll be ready to go.”
One year removed from a top 10 in his Snowball Derby debut, William Sawalich seeks a victory in the No. 62 for Rackley W.A.R. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
The first Snowball Derby venture for Sawalich in 2023 featured plenty of positives and negatives. After qualifying 26th, Sawalich had to methodically climb his way toward the front of the field before settling for a 10th-place run, two laps behind race winner Ty Majeski.
A year of competing in various disciplines around the U.S. has only refined Sawalich’s approach to big events like the Snowball Derby. More wisdom also enables Sawalich to share ideas with Allen, along with his Rackley W.A.R. teammates for the weekend in Dawson, Nicholas Naugle and Sylas Ripley.
Having previously worked with Sawalich, Allen said the driver’s maturity is what separates him from other young competitors in the industry and makes him a favorite for the Snowball Derby victory.
“William’s feedback is unreal,” Allen said. “He is a top-notch driver, and his record shows how great of a driver he is. He’s another part of our stable that has a chance to win. That car gets better every time it goes out, so we’re excited to see how things go.”
William Sawalich leads a strong, four-car armada for Rackley W.A.R. in their pursuit of victories in both the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100. (Photo: Nic Antaya/ARCA Racing)
Allen feels the laps Sawalich and the rest of his drivers have logged all week have given him a solid notebook for the Snowball Derby and the Snowflake. Now it comes down to executing their respective game plans for each race.
Now in their fourth year of operation, Rackley W.A.R. lacks the experience of other drivers and teams that are regular Snowball Derby entrants. Despite this, Allen believes his operation can write their own chapter in the event’s long history this weekend; a belief further solidified by Harvick’s ongoing involvement.
Sawalich echoes Allen’s confidence about a potential Snowball Derby victory. A myriad of factors will need to fall his way to take the checkered flag first on Sunday, but Sawalich knows has the experience and environment around him to cross off a crucial milestone in the KHI-branded No. 62.
“I’d love to win, and I think I can win,” Sawalich said. “You’ve got to get a good, long-run car. This track eats tires, so you’ve got to be prepared for what’s to come. [A Snowball Derby victory] is something everyone wants, and I’ve wanted it for about three years now.”
For Allen, being able to align with a program like KHI for the Snowball Derby and beyond reflects how much Rackley W.A.R. has developed in a short period of time.
Like every new team, Rackley W.A.R. struggled with growing pains attempting to ascertain what could work at short tracks and in the Truck Series. Four years later, they now have a realistic chance to obtain Super Late Model racing’s crown jewel with one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history at their side.
Rackley W.A.R. has nearly achieved Snowball Derby immortality during their lifespan, as they earned a pole with Josh Berry back in 2022. Allen wants to best that milestone on Sunday by having one of his Super Late Models prevail on Sunday.
“This is the biggest Late Model race there is, and it’s definitely been circled on the calendar all year,” Allen said. “We’ve had really good cars every time we’ve been [to Five Flags], so we’re trying to keep building that notebook to get better. We’ve gotten to sniff [a Snowball Derby victory] a little bit.
“We just need one more spot.”
Patience and diligence have primed Rackley W.A.R. to make a run at a Snowball Derby with KHI; an alliance that could potentially establish the two entities as a powerhouse across motorsports for years to come.
Already in possession of the track record in qualifying since 2015, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion displayed his typical precision around the half-mile oval, earning his second pole with a time of 16.175 seconds.
Majeski’s time Friday did not eclipse his previous record of 16.120 seconds, but he was more than satisfied to lay down the quickest lap of anyone in the 44-car field. Long familiar with the intensity surrounding Snowball Derby qualifying, Majeski was stoic and composed while waiting for his turn to hit the track.
“It’s more of a pride thing,” Majeski said. “Everyone talks about Friday qualifying. The atmosphere is just electric I feel like. It’s definitely the most exciting qualifying session we have as drivers.
“It feels good to sit on another pole, and it’s a testament to how great our Late Models are right now.”
The blistering lap Majeski set came after he had to overcome adversity during an abbreviated practice session Thursday.
While shaking down his car, Majeski hit a piece of track surface that had come loose, damaging the front end. Majeski, crew chief Toby Nuttleman and the rest of the crew worked diligently Thursday and Friday to repair the No. 91 iRacing Toyota in time for the all-too-important Friday evening qualifying session.
There was no evidence of any repairs on Majeski’s car as he rocketed around Five Flags to give himself optimal track position for Sunday’s 300-lap Super Late Model feature. It was Majeski’s first Snowball Derby pole since he set the track record nearly a decade ago.
Majeski had no idea his car could put down a lap that stellar, but he trusted Nuttleman and his crew to set everything up perfectly after Thursday’s misfortune. With how busy Majeski is with his Truck Series commitments now, he plans to cherish Friday’s accomplishment with the team before pursuing a third Snowball Derby checkered flag.
“I didn’t really expect this kind of raw speed,” Majeski said. “I’m really blessed to have the opportunity to drive these great late models. My guys have been together for like 13 years now, and we love coming down here.
“We don’t spend as much time as we use to together, so it’s a lot of fun to come down for Snowball and be competitive.”
Kaden Honeycutt, who will race full-time in the Truck Series in 2025 for Niece Motorsports, qualified on the outside pole alongside Majeski. NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor William Sawalich followed Majeski and Honeycutt in the running order with the third best time on the evening.
Majeski now has two days to regroup before the green flag waves for the Snowball Derby on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET, which will be broadcasted live on FloRacing.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — For the Canadian-born Lapcevich brothers, life could not be any better than it is right now.
Not only has Cayden found his comfort zone as a crew chief, but his younger brother Treyten’s first full-time season of competition in the United States has been a successful one. The most recent accomplishment on Treyten’s growing resume was a South Carolina 400 victory at Florence Motor Speedway in November.
The brothers are now turning their attention toward Sunday’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway, their second attempt in the race. For Treyten, the buildup to Super Late Model racing’s most prestigious event carries a sense of serenity and confidence.
Treyten Lapcevich (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
“There’s a lot of momentum coming off the South Carolina 400 win,” Treyten said. “I’m really excited to go to the Snowball Derby with my family team. This is a Late Model we built last year actually for this race. We were able to test Sunday, get some laps in and shake the car down.
“I think I’m happy with our piece, so we have something to build on.”
Throughout their lives, all the Lapcevich brothers have known is racing. Their father Jeff enjoyed a solid career in the family’s home country of Canada and the United States, with his list of accolades including six victories in the CASCAR Super Series.
Jeff’s passion for motorsports carried on through Cayden and Treyten as they started their own paths in CASCAR’s successor, the NASCAR Canada Series. Cayden brought home a Canada Series championship at the end of the 2016 season; Treyten replicated that feat seven years later with his 2023 triumph.
While Treyten is developing a reputation as a rising prospect, the journey for Cayden after his Canada Series title has been slightly different. A sudden loss of funding after a strong 2017 season forced Cayden to step out of the driver’s seat and focus on different avenues in the motorsports industry.
While Cayden would love to compete more frequently than he currently does, he has enjoyed guiding other competitors to success atop the pit box. Being at Venturini helped refine his knowledge about crafting winning setups, which he plans to carry with him no matter where his journey takes him.
“I was at the point where I needed to progress somewhere, whether it was as a driver or a crew chief,” Cayden said. “I’ve been surrounded by a lot of really good people and have been given a lot of great opportunities. I think I’ve been able to prove myself a little bit in the crew chief role, and I think it’s showing, because I’ve got a lot of opportunities next year.
“I wanted to make a career in racing somehow, but being a crew chief is the next best thing.”
Cayden Lapcevich won the NASCAR Canada Series championship in 2016; Treyten Lapcevich won the same title in 2023. (Photos: Getty Images)
Sunday’s Snowball Derby will only be the fourth race Cayden has competed in this year aside from a brief substitution stint for Toni Breidinger at Watkins Glen International. It is also the first time Cayden has seen Five Flags as a driver since finishing 16th during his lone Snowball Derby start in 2020.
Cayden wanted to bring his own equipment for the 300-lap Super Late Model feature, but he was not able to amass the necessary funding before December. He instead worked out a deal with Holdaway McWhirter Racecars, who previously fielded a car for Cayden when he was racing in Canada earlier in the season.
Although he is not officially a teammate to his brother, Cayden has been more than happy to assist Treyten in the days leading up to the Snowball Derby. Cayden knows Treyten is in good hands driving the family car, but said any bit of information obtained can only help both cars as they log laps throughout the week.
“I tested Saturday and we learned some stuff on [the car] we used on Treyten’s car Sunday,” Cayden said. “It’s been a lot of fun going back-and-forth with both cars, seeing what one likes and what one doesn’t. Treyten’s smart, but my dad is about as good as they come. The family car is really good, but I feel like my car is pretty good.
“Hopefully we can put both in the show and run up front.”
Sunday’s Snowball Derby is a rare on-track appearance for Cayden Lapcevich, who has spent the past couple of seasons as a crew chief for Venturini Motorsports. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
Treyten’s debut in the Snowball Derby last year saw him qualify inside the top 10 before a crash ended his evening with fewer than 20 laps remaining. Despite the poor finish, Treyten considered the outing to be a success, adding the input provided by Cayden all week was pivotal in helping him quickly adapt to Five Flags’ layout.
With a healthy notebook curated from 2023, Treyten is eager to give the Snowball Derby another shot Sunday afternoon, especially since Cayden is also on the entry list. Neither brother gets a chance to race the other on a regular basis, which is why Treyten is taking time to appreciate the circumstances.
“It was cool when Cayden ran the Snowball Derby in 2020, and it was cool when I ran the Snowball Derby last year,” Treyten said. “I don’t think either of us thought we’d get to a point where we ran the Snowball Derby together.
“It’s cool we’re able to come and do this as a family, and it’s nice to have someone else to rely on for feedback.”
A full year of racing in Late Model Stocks has given Treyten Lapcevich confidence ahead of his second Snowball Derby appearance. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR Regional)
Cayden is fulfilling multiple roles with Treyten this weekend as a teammate, crew chief and big brother. He is carefully studying Dartfish video analysis with Treyten to figure out where they need to gain ground on the competition and is also working closely with Treyten’s Late Model Stock car owner Chad Bryant with the setups.
A full year acclimating to short tracks in the U.S. is another factor Cayden knows will help Treyten in his second Snowball Derby. Cayden has been elated to see the progress Treyten made with Bryant in the southeast by defeating tough fields for marquee victories at Florence and North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Cayden hopes 2024 is the first of many stellar years for Treyten on U.S. soil. Circumstances may have prevented Cayden from taking a similar path, but he intends to support his brother any way he can while fostering his own success as a crew chief.
“I’m happy to see [Treyten] has gotten the opportunities and the backing from some really good sponsors to be able to progress his career into the States,” Cayden said. “I don’t get to go to a lot of his races, but when I do, it’s always cool to be there and have some input. Going forward, it’s going to be big for him.”
Treyten looks forward to spending so much time with Cayden during a hectic week at the Snowball Derby. The field will be one of the toughest either brother has faced all year, yet Treyten remains optimistic they can both be frontrunners if each of them perfects the setup ahead of the main event.
Neither Treyten nor Cayden are overly concerned with besting the other on Sunday. The primary goal is to work together with one another so that they can proudly represent their family and Canada in Super Late Model racing’s premier stage.
“I think we’re both just excited to be here,” Treyten said. “We’re going to try and put on a good show. At the end of the day, maybe we can finish one-two. That would be the best circumstance. We’ve both got really good cars with great teams and supporters, so anything can happen.”
Tretyen and Cayden have had plenty to celebrate in their own respective fields over the past two years. A strong performance for either in the Snowball Derby would reflect their ongoing progress towards building sustainable motorsports careers in the U.S.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — He may only have one Snowball Derby start to his name, but David Gilliland has never felt more confident in his ability to win the prestigious event.
The No. 98 Vertical Acres Farm Toyota that Gilliland and his team unloaded Wednesday at Five Flags Speedway was built specifically for Sunday’s Snowball Derby. With his passion project now complete after months of hard work, the 48-year-old is eager to test his equipment against the best of the Super Late Model discipline.
Gilliland wants to enjoy his first Snowball Derby attempt as a driver in five years, but he is keeping expectations high given the number of resources and level of energy exerted into building his car.
“[We’re here to] win,” Gilliland said. “We’ve put a lot of effort into [this car]. Steve Leavitt and a lot of guys I’ve worked with for a long time all put our heads together and went ahead and built our own car. Super Late Model racing has been part of my life for a long time, so [the Snowball Derby] is something I’ve always dreamed of winning.
“We’re excited to come out here, have a little fun and hopefully get the job done.”
David Gilliland’s Super Late Model (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
The catalyst behind Gilliland’s decision to compete in the Snowball Derby again was simple: He misses being behind the wheel.
Overseeing Tricon Garage’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program takes up most of Gilliland’s daily life. Under Gilliland’s leadership, Tricon Garage has burgeoned into a championship-caliber organization; Corey Heim has guided the team to the Championship 4 in each of the last two years.
Each triumph brings more notoriety for Tricon Garage, but the increased business means fewer opportunities for Gilliland to make an occasional Truck Series appearance. He last competed in 2023 at Talladega Superspeedway, where he placed 35th after being collected in an early crash.
Not being in the seat is a net positive for Gilliland and Tricon Garage, as it means every race across all five full-time teams has some form of financial backing. The status quo will remain in place for Tricon Garage in 2025, but Gilliland admits he has been looking for an avenue to satisfy his racing urge.
A busy week at Five Flags will give Gilliland an opportunity to scratch that itch and simultaneously figure out what he needs to make his car better. Being perfect in practice, qualifying and race conditions will be imperative for Gilliland if he wants to solidify himself as a contender for Sunday’s 300-lap feature.
Gilliland has long been familiar with the mental strain the Snowball Derby presents, but he says the allure of overcoming so many obstacles to obtain a Tom Dawson Trophy is one reason why the event is so revered.
“This race brings out the best of the best, and that’s what motivates the best guys in Super Late Models all around the country to come out here,” Gilliland said. “It’s a challenge, but when you do good here, it means something. So we’re going to see what we can do.”
David Gilliland waves during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sept. 30, 2023. (Photo: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
One crucial step to success Gilliland has learned during his previous Snowball Derby attempts as an owner and driver is that patience is needed throughout the entire week.
Before formally unloading Wednesday, Gilliland shook down his No. 98 alongside several other teams during test sessions for the Snowball Derby. The lap times Gilliland displayed were promising, but evolving track conditions and other programs finding speed emphasizes a need to constantly adapt.
“This place is tricky,” Gilliland said. “You come and test, and it will fool you into thinking you’re better than you are [as opposed to] when you have 50 cars on the track and so much rubber laid down. We have to keep up with the race track. This track changes as much as anywhere throughout these four days of being here.”
Gilliland is also still trying to shake off some rust from being out of the car for more than a year, but he does plan to get advice from other Tricon Garage drivers in the field. The group includes ARCA Menards Series East champion William Sawalich along with Gio Ruggiero, who was announced to a full-time Tricon Garage ride earlier this week.
Both Sawalich and Ruggiero bring plenty of accolades to the Snowball Derby despite three combined starts. Sawalich won the All-American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 2023, the same year Ruggiero prevailed in the Winchester 400.
David Gilliland celebrates with Corey Heim after winning the weather-shortened NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville Speedway on April 14, 2023. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Given how much Super Late Model racing has evolved since his last Snowball Derby appearance in 2019, Gilliland wants to procure as much information as possible from Sawalich and Ruggiero before Sunday’s green flag. He expects both to be favorites alongside usual stalwarts like Bubba Pollard, Ty Majeski and Derek Thorn.
He does not have as much track time as many others on the entry list, but Gilliland considers himself more than capable of winning the Snowball Derby. Devoting so much time to constructing a car for this one race is indicative of that belief, as is his commitment toward remaining involved in racing at his age.
Gilliland doesn’t know how many more chances he’ll get to race himself with Tricon Garage continuing to grow every year, so he intends to cherish every moment of Sunday’s drive, which he hopes culminates in his hoisting the Tom Dawson Trophy.
“This is a marquee event,” Gilliland said. “It’s on every racer’s bucket list. Obviously, I don’t have that box checked yet, so if we could do that, it’d be special, but extra special to do it in our own car.”
Gilliland is no stranger to pulling off a surprise. His upset victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Kentucky Speedway in 2006 with Clay Andrews Racing laid the foundation for the success he and his son Todd Gilliland have enjoyed in motorsports through the present day.
Now older and wiser, Gilliland looks to deliver another iconic drive and cement his own No. 98 Toyota into the Snowball Derby’s storied lore.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2024) — NASCAR today announced an expanded long-term technical partnership with Stratasys making the company the official 3D printing partner of NASCAR. NASCAR will now exclusively use Stratasys 3D printing technology for the design and production of parts and tools across NASCAR, replacing previous technologies used alongside Stratasys solutions.
The official partnership cements Stratasys’ role as a critical technology provider for NASCAR, with a new state-of-the-art 3D printing lab set to open at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina. The facility features multiple Stratasys technologies, including F370, 450mc, F900 (FDM printers) and a NEO800 (SL printer) to support research and development, parts production and tooling for NASCAR’s three national series. NASCAR engineers will benefit from the agility of 3D printing, which allows for faster design cycles and on-demand production of custom components, keeping them at the cutting edge of performance and safety.
“Partnering with Stratasys allows NASCAR to push the boundaries of performance and accuracy like never before,” said John Probst, executive vice president, chief racing development officer at NASCAR. “Their 3D printing technology empowers us to quickly iterate and optimize components, ensuring that our staff has the best possible machines to stay ahead in this high-stakes environment. Stratasys has proven to be a valuable partner, and this agreement represents our commitment to staying at the forefront of motorsports innovation.”
As part of the expanded partnership, Stratasys will increase the existing FDM® (Fused Deposition Modeling) capabilities within the NASCAR R&D center, allowing for larger-scale part production. In addition to FDM technology, NASCAR will now integrate Stratasys NEO® stereolithography (SL). These technologies will support a variety of applications, from aerodynamic testing, prototyping and production parts with high-precision tooling, further enhancing the design and manufacturing flexibility that 3D printing brings to the sport.
Engineers at NASCAR worked with Stratasys on solutions for NASCAR Cup Series cars, with every vehicle on the track currently using 3D printed parts. For example, working with Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for on-demand production parts using the H350 SAF printer with plant-based Nylon11 material to produce a cold air inlet vent at the top center of the windshield to force air into the car to cool the driver. FDM printers used in the NASCAR R&D Center using ULTEM® 9085 black material to produce a NACA duct located on the lower engine panel, to vent hot air out from the engine bay.
“Our partnership with NASCAR allows Stratasys to showcase the unique advantages of 3D printing in motorsports,” said Rich Garrity, chief business unit officer at Stratasys. “From on-demand manufacturing of custom components to speeding up the design cycle, we’re helping NASCAR with faster production times and enhanced part performance. Furthermore, our work in high-performance environments like NASCAR spurs innovation in the production of commercial vehicles, demonstrating the broader impact of additive manufacturing across the automotive industry.”
