9/13/2013
Five Flags Speedway
VETERAN DRIVER LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS 29TH SNOWBALL DERBY©
By Speed 51
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For Wayne Niedecken, Jr., or simply Junior as many know him, the Snowball Derby is a way of life. The Pensacola, Florida driver has never missed the big race held on the first weekend in December at his hometown Five Flags Speedway. Sure he's spent a Snowball Derby or two from the infield or in the grandstands like when he watched his father win the first-ever Snowball Derby in 1968 or in recent years when he has fallen short of getting his No. 99 into the 300-lap event.
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No matter what, fans and fellow racers can find Junior Niedecken at Five Flags Speedway come Snowball Derby day with that signature smile that has made him a fan favorite in and around Pensacola for decades. Niedecken will attempt to make his 29th start in the Snowball Derby on Sunday, December 8.
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"It wouldn't be right if I didn't show up on (Snowball Derby) Sunday," said Niedecken. "We have sponsors, friends and family that treat it like a tailgate party in the campground. My dad won the first one back in 1968 and can remember how cold it was to this day. We had moved here from Texas years before to run Super Modifieds and things changed. The track got bought by Tom Dawson, dad won the first one and we have been a part of it ever since."
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The elder Niedecken won the race twice as a driver in 1968 and again in 1970. His second win came in front of Denny Rewis, who was racing a second Niedecken family entry. Since then, the Niedecken name has always been a part of the track history as a consistent winner and champion at Five Flags. Now as the race gets set for its 46th running on December 8, the legacy of the family name continues.
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Along the way, the second-generation driver has seen a lot and has memories that some can only dream of. In 1990 he found himself in the middle of a first-time win scenario, battling for the Snowball Derby victory with some of short track racing's all-time greats.
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"We ran it as an All Pro Race in 1990 and you could only take two tires per pit stop," explained Niedecken. "We came out with a soft right front and battled for the lead for 75 laps with Butch Miller before Rich Bickle came along and passed us both. I figure that was one of the eight or so times we had a chance to win, that was the closest."
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At 56, some may consider Niedecken in the twilight of his racing career, but recent races prove he's still plenty capable of winning races. Victories in Pro Late Models at both Five Flags and the nearby Mobile International Speedway in Alabama this season have proven that the skills his father taught him years ago have not waned.
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Niedecken now hopes to continue that run of success in 2013 into his 29th Snowball Derby start and perhaps a first victory.
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"I've been to every single one of them," said Niedecken with a belt of accomplishment. "We want to make the show for sure this season and we've been working hard on these cars and our Pro cars to do that. You can't be old school any more. What worked 15 years ago will not work today and we are having to learn it all over again. These young drivers don't have to think twice about driving. What the cars can do nowadays is so much more then what they could do years ago. I have to almost trick myself into thinking they will work so I can hustle it on in the turns."
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While qualifying for the 300-lap Snowball Derby on December 8 is Niedecken's primary goal, Niedecken will be a part of the Snowball Derby again in 2013 one way or another.
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"Winning the Derby would mean so much," said Niedecken. "Ether way I'll be there on Sunday.â€?Â
For reserved tickets, call 850-944-8400Â Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Central time.
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