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Cinderella Story: After Lengthy Time Away, Sutton Wins Super Stocks Snowball Title

By Chuck Corder

In 45 years, the Snowball Derby has seen quite its share of fairytales.

It bore witness to yet another one Friday.

After a five-year absence, Milton resident Gary Sutton made a long overdue return to Five Flags Speedway and amazingly captured the Super Stocks 50-lap Derby championship.

“This just doesn’t happen,� said Sutton, who seemed just as stunned as everyone in the grandstands. “You take five years off and you’re supposed to look like junk.�

Hardly on this night.

The 31 year old managed to avoid the mess of two huge crashes and took the lead 30 laps in.

Sutton withstood a late charge from reigning track champion Randy Thompson down the stretch to pull off the improbable.

“Fast cars don’t always win, but it did tonight,� Sutton said.

Dustin Rowell couldn’t have been any prouder. The car owner won a track championship last year with Bubba Winslow steering the No. 44.

“This is awesome,� Rowell said. “All this car does is win.�

Ten days ago, in desperate need of a driver, Rowell reached out to Sutton, who jumped at the chance.

They tested it not long after and Sutton admitted his driving skills had greatly diminished since his time away

“We worked and worked and got this thing strong,� he said. “Car had no cobwebs on it; I was just rusty.�

Sutton has no plans to drive a car next season, but he also wasn’t planning on winning the Snowball Derby.

“I’m not going to turn a ride down, especially one like this,� Sutton said. “We talked about this being a one-shot deal. Now, I want to be here every week. Racing’s like drugs.�

The race saw a pair of vicious collisions that collected much of the 25-car field.

The first saw came with eight laps completed and five drivers were involved, including Natalie Decker. The 15 year old had made the long trip down from Eagle River, Wisc., only to see her first Derby spoiled.

Twelve laps later, six cars came to a standstill at the top of Turn 3 when some fluid was put down on the track.

 

Super Stocks Snowball Derby Results

1. Gary Sutton
2. Randy Thompson
3. John Shuffler
4. Okie Mason
5. J.R. Skipper
6. Kurt Guillot
7. Jessie Reid
8. Brandon Harris
9. Jeff Belt
10. Roger Cain
11. James Patrick
12. Chad Robinson
13. Matt Taylor
14. Dayton Sidner
15. Darryl Rudd
16. Tony Jones
17. Bubba Winslow
18. Paul Jean
19. Scotty Anderson
20. Ricky Johnson
21. Ricky Haugen
22. Corbitt Moseley
23. Darin Matthews
24. Natalie Decker
25. Mike Moore

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