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Pair of Modified Drivers Eyeing History at Snowball Derby

November 17, 2015 • App, Archives, Snowball Derby, Top Stories

When short track racing fans think of the Snowball Derby, most think of the full-fendered Pro Late Models and Super Late Models.  While the Late Models are surely the main focus of the weekend at Five Flags Speedway (FL), there are a host of other exciting divisions that add to the excitement.  One of those divisions that always put on an excellent show is the Modified division, and this year is expected to be no different when they race for 50 laps around the famous half-mile on Friday, November 4.

 

The last two installments of the Snowball Derby Modified saga have seen Semmes, Alabama’s Donnie Hamrac celebrating in victory lane on the frontstretch at Five Flags Speedway.  No driver has ever won three straight Modified races at the Snowball Derby, and that’s something that Hamrac is looking to change.

“That would be awesome,� said Hamrac.  “Just to win one was a cool deal.  To win two in a row was unbelievable.  To win three?  I don’t know.  I couldn’t put that into words.�

 

Hamrac was quick to point out that winning three in a row is no easy task.

“It’ll be pretty hard,� Hamrac said.  “Cars come from all over the south.  It looks like there will probably be some coming from south of us in Florida too so that’ll be pretty good.�

 

One driver that will be tough to beat will be two-time Snowball Derby and two-time Snowflake 100 winner Augie Grill who will be doing triple duty at the Snowball Derby this year by running the Super Late Model, Pro Late Model and a Modified.

 

Grill has raced in the Modified division before, but it’s been a few years.  However, Grill said he doesn’t expect the time away to give him any trouble.

 

“A race car is a race car,� said Grill.  “If it’s good, turns good, and gets off the corner good then we’ll be just fine.  Hopefully my team can get it that way because I have nothing to do with setting it up.  Hopefully it’ll be pretty good when I get in it.�

 

The Birmingham, Alabama native has the potential to become the first driver to ever win the Derby, Snowflake and the Modified feature.

 

“That would be pretty neat,� Grill said.  “I don’t think anybody else has done that.  I don’t know how many people have even tried.  But it would be pretty cool.  Hopefully we have a good car and we have a shot at it.�

 

The 48th Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off with the Cat Country/WEAR-TV3 Green Flag Party on Wednesday, December 2.  On-track activities start Thursday, December 3, for the opening practice rounds for the Snowball Derby Super Late Models and Snowflake 100 Pro Late Models.  The Five Flags Butler U-Pull-It Bombers and Beef ‘O’Brady’s Sportsman divisions will also have feature events on Snowball Derby Thursday.

 

The top Snowball Derby starting spots will be set on Friday, December 4 during WXBM 102.7 Pole Night at Five Flags.  The Five Flags Faith Chapel Super Stocks and Modifieds will also battle in their Snowball Derby features after Super Late Model qualifying.

 

The Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 takes center stage on Saturday, December 5 as the top Pro Late Model racers in the country qualify and battle for 100 laps at Five Flags.  In addition, Saturday’s action features the final 50-lap qualifying event for Snowball Derby drivers to make one last effort to qualify for the 300-lap Super Late Model race.  The Better Built Tool Box Pro Trucks will also have a 50-lap feature on Snowball Derby Saturday.

 

Then on Sunday, December 6, the green flag will drop on the 48th Annual Snowball Derby at 2 p.m. CT at Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway.

 

For more information on the 48th Annual Snowball Derby weekend at Five Flags Speedway, visit www.snowballderby.com.  All media credential requests and inquiries for the Snowball Derby can be sent to Matt Kentfield at matt@51sports.net and/or Pat Bryant at pat@snowballderby.com.

 

For more information on Speed51.com and the rest of the 51 Companies, contact Jana Wimmer (Director of Business) at 51 Sports via email through jana@speed51.com and visit Speed51.com.  Speed51.com is on Twitter at @speed51dotcom and on Facebook by searching Speed51.com.

 

-51 Sports/Snowball Derby Press Release. Photo credit: Speed51,com

 

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