Late-Race Controversy Sets Stage for Stephen Nasse’s Snowball Derby Triumph
Finally, after 15 gut-wrenching attempts, Stephen Nasse can call himself a Snowball Derby champion. The checkered flag waved over a scene of pure chaos at Five Flags Speedway, but when the dust and tempers settled, it was Nasse hoisting the Tom Dawson trophy. For a driver who’s faced every conceivable heartbreak this race can dish out, this victory wasn’t just a win it was redemption.
A story of climbing from the absolute depths, starting 32nd on the grid, to conquer the most prestigious prize in Super Late Model racing. It’s the first taste of late model victory for Nasse this entire calendar year, and boy, did he have to earn it. The win came gift-wrapped in controversy, a signature element of the Derby, after the day’s most dominant force, Ty Majeski, saw his race unravel in the final, frantic laps.
How Nasse Navigated the Late-Race Chaos
The race was Majeski’s to lose. He had the field covered, a rocket ship that seemed destined for victory lane. But with just 13 laps to go, a restart changed everything. Race control deemed Majeski jumped the start, firing off before the designated restart zone. A warning was issued. On the next attempt, officials ruled he did it again.
The black flag came out for the No. 91.In an act of defiance, Majeski kept his foot mashed to the floor, ignoring the flag and crossing the finish line first in a symbolic, but ultimately fruitless, gesture. The scoring, however, had stopped for him. Nasse, who was running second, was declared the leader and drove the final six laps with a clear track ahead, holding off a hard-charging Dawson Sutton for the win.
“It feels great,” a vindicated Nasse said, the relief palpable. “I was very confident coming into the tech shed… It’s awesome to get [crew chief Anthony] Campi his first Derby and my first Derby, it’s something very special.”
This victory is a story years in the making. Nasse has been on the losing end of this race more times than he can count. He crossed the line first in 2019, only to be disqualified for post-race tech issues. Just last year, he chased Kaden Honeycutt to the line but had to settle for a heartbreaking second place.
“I definitely feel like it owes me a couple,” Nasse reflected. “It’s been repaying these last couple years and I hope it never stops… This is the biggest asphalt short track race of the year… Now I know what it feels like to take home the trophy. It’s very special for me and my family and I’m looking forward to next year already,” he added.
A Wild Race From Start to Finish
The 58th Snowball Derby was a war of attrition long before the final restart drama. Postponed to Monday afternoon by relentless rain and fog, the race started with pole-sitter Preston Peltier leading the field, only for Majeski to snatch the top spot on lap 14.
The first 100 laps were a wreck-fest, with a flurry of cautions taking out contenders like Hudson Bulger, Casey Roderick, and Carson Brown. The chaos led to a mix of pit strategies, but once the field cycled through, Majeski established his dominance, leading a long green-flag run through the race’s middle stages.
As the laps wound down, the intensity ramped up. A spin by Cole Butcher with 30 to go set up a restart that saw Nasse muscle his way into second. This triggered another incident, leading to the final, fateful restart sequence that will be debated for years to come.
While Majeski protested the call, officials stood firm. The decision was final. Stephen Nasse, the driver who started at the back of the pack, the driver who had endured so much Derby heartache, was officially the winner.
Following Nasse and runner-up Dawson Sutton was Jake Garcia, who also clawed his way from the Last Chance Qualifier to an incredible third-place finish. Kasey Kleyn and Jake Finch rounded out a top five that had to survive every ounce of the Derby’s notorious drama.
Final Thoughts
For Stephen Nasse, this wasn’t just a race win. It was the culmination of a decade and a half of sweat, frustration, and unrelenting perseverance at short track racing’s biggest dance. That’s why this win was both important and life-changing. Will we see more of Nasse’s expertise on the track again soon? Stay tuned.
