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Midwest, Northeast Drivers Looking to Score Big Bounty Bucks in Pensacola

Drivers to Keep an Eye On to Capture the $551 Snowball Bonuses
Speed51.com Staff

While only one driver can claim the Tom Dawson Trophy as the Snowball Derby winner, Speed51.com, the official live media coverage partner of the Snowball Derby, is helping recognize two drivers who make the long trip to Pensacola. 51 has put up two $551 bounties for the December 8 running of the Snowball Derby presented by JEGS; one for the highest-finishing Midwest-based team and the other for the top Northeastern-based team.

The $551 bonus for the highest-finishing Midwest racer will be open to cars that originate from race shops in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Northeast bonus is for the highest-finishing driver with a team based in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island or Vermont. Canadian teams are also eligible for the Northeast bonus.

Here are the drivers competing for teams based in the above regions that are currently on the pre-entry list for the 46th Annual Snowball Derby.

MIDWEST

Chad Finley - Making his first career attempt at racing in the Snowball Derby, 21-year-old Chad Finley comes in armed with Two JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Wins in 2013 at Columbus Motor Speedway (OH) and Springport Motor Speedway (MI). The DeWitt, Michigan driver also broke the Track Record at South Alabama Speedway (AL) and led the first 100 laps of the 37th annual Rattler 250 before electrical problems ended his day. He also won the Fast Qualifier Award at Lucas Oil Raceway (IN) in ARCA/CRA Super Series competition.

Boris Jurkovic - A former winner of the Winchester 400 as well as the All-American 400, Boris Jurkovic hasn't raced very often over the past several seasons, but when the 44-year-old from Joliet, Illinois does climb behind the wheel, the big Siberian is always a threat to win no matter where and when he races. His last appearance in Pensacola, Florida was in the familiar #51 Kyle Busch Motorsports entry where he finished seventh in 2011. This time around, he's in his own equipment and will look to add a third major win to his legacy.

Cody Coughlin - Cody Coughlin comes to the Snowball Derby as the 2013 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion. This year, the Delaware, Ohio driver has visited victory lane three times this year. He finished seventh in the Winchester 400 back in October.

Paul Shafer Jr. - Shafer will make the trek from Portage, Indiana to Five Flags Speedway as the 2013 Super Late Model Champion at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Indiana. The 16-year-old will be looking to make his first Snowball Derby.

Mark Kraus - Kraus is a racing veteran from Stratford, WI and has competed in several ARCA Midwest Tour events in the past seven years; most of those were driving for the late car owner Don Fanetti. This year, Kraus has been a driver coach for Decker Racing and recently finished 15th in the All-American 400.

Landon Cassill - Cassill is still looking for his first Snowball Derby win and has teamed up with Illinois-based Adrian Carriers, the team that finished second in last year’s Snowball Derby. The Fairfax, Iowa driver competed in both NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events this season.

Chris Wimmer - Wimmer is coming to the Snowball Derby after finishing second in the 2013 ARCA Midwest Tour standings. The Wausau, WI driver is a former winner of the World Crown 300 and would like the Snowball Derby to his resume. This year, he had 10 top-five finishes in 12 starts with the Tour.

NORTHEAST

D.J. Shaw - Northeastern based drivers haven't had much luck in the Snowball Derby, but Center Conway, New Hampshire driver, D.J. Shaw is looking to change that. The 23-year-old recorded three wins in the PASS North Late Models Series as well as a single victory in the Granite State Pro Stocks Series. No stranger to big shows in the New England area, the son of the legendary Dale Shaw will be going up against the toughest competition he has ever faced in his young career when he attempts to make his Snowball Derby debut.

Scott Mulkern - A legend in the New England short track racing circles, 52-year-old Scott Mulkern will attempt to start the Snowball Derby for the first time in his career. The Falmouth, Maine veteran has made two trips to Pensacola for Derby week, but it was for the Snowflake 100 in 2000 and 2001. This will be his first attempt in a full blown Super Late Model. His experience should help as he looks to readapt to the fast 1/2 mile high-banks.

John Flemming - The 2013 Maritime Pro Stock Tour Champion, 46-year-old John Flemming hopes the momentum from a four-race win season and a touring series title will propel him to a solid run in the biggest Super Late Model race of the season anywhere in North America. The Halifax, Nova Scotia veteran attempted to run the Snowball Derby once in 2008, but didn't make the show. This time around, Flemming is hoping to not only take the green flag, but to contend for a win.

Alex Labbe - Labbe will be coming to the Snowball Derby from his hometown of Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. This season, Labbe finished second in the Serie ACT driver standings. Labbe had two wins, eight top-five and nine top-ten finishes in 11 starts. He came up eight points short from winning the title

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