Peltier Leads the Field After Qualifying for 58th Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway
The asphalt at Five Flags Speedway has a reputation for eating tires and crushing dreams, but on a damp Friday night in Pensacola, it played host to a masterclass in raw speed. After the rain finally relented and the engines fired to life, it wasn’t a fresh-faced teenager or a Cup Series superstar who stole the headlines. It was Preston Peltier, a veteran wheelman with ice in his veins, who reminded everyone why you never count out experience at the Snowball Derby.
The anticipation was earth-shattering as the field of over 40 Super Late Models waited out the weather. Qualifying for this race is arguably the most nerve-wracking single-car run in motorsports. You miss the setup by a millimeter, you go home. But when Peltier rolled onto the track, the noise stopped, and the stopwatch told the story.
Peltier Returns to Snowball Derby Dominance
Peltier didn’t just put down a fast lap. He laid down a challenge. Clocking a blistering 16.240-second circuit around the abrasive half-mile, he secured his second career pole position for the 58th running of the prestigious event. For Peltier, this wasn’t just about speed. It was about redemption and closure.
After sitting on the sidelines for last year’s derby, his return to the panhandle was fueled by a quiet determination. To come back after a hiatus and outpace a field stacked with the best short-track racers in the country and a handful of NASCAR’s elite is the kind of story that builds legends at Five Flags.
“I had a perfect car and a good crew,” Peltier said after climbing from his machine, the adrenaline likely still coursing through him. “All the puzzle pieces are here.”But the veteran knows better than anyone that Friday-night glory doesn’t guarantee Sunday-afternoon hardware. “I’ve never had a problem going fast for a couple laps, but I’m trying not to get too excited. Let’s see how I feel after 300 laps on Sunday.”
Heavy Hitters Chasing the Tom Dawson Trophy
While Peltier enjoys the view from P1, the rearview mirror is filled with absolute sharks. Lining up right alongside him on the front row is Ty Majeski. If you follow the sport, you know Majeski is dangerous anywhere, but at the Snowball Derby, he’s lethal. Fresh off his 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship run, Majeski is looking to cap off a dream season before he takes over the No. 88 seat at ThorSport Racing in 2026.
He dominated the 2024 edition of this race, leading 192 laps, and he knows exactly how to manage his equipment around this abrasive surface. Having a two-time winner starting shotgun on the field turns Sunday into a pressure cooker from the drop of the green flag. The Cup Series invasion had mixed results, proving once again that Five Flags Speedway plays no favorites. Ryan Preece muscled his way into the show with a top-30 run, locking himself into the main event.
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch, a man who has hoisted the Tom Dawson Trophy twice, had to fight for his life in the Last Chance Qualifier just to punch his ticket.But the track was unforgiving to others. Former winners Erik Jones and Noah Gragson found themselves on the wrong side of the cut line, failing to qualify. It’s a brutal reminder of why the Snowball Derby is considered the most challenging race to make in America.
The Grueling 300-Lap War Awaits
As the sun comes up on Sunday, the focus shifts from raw speed to survival. 300 laps at Pensacola is a marathon run at a sprinter’s pace. It’s about tire management, pit strategy, and keeping the fenders clean when tempers start to flare in the final fifty laps.
Kaden Honeycutt, the defending Snowball Derby champion, has his work cut out for him starting from the 16th position. He’ll need to methodically carve his way through the pack, avoiding the inevitable carnage that happens in the midfield.
Final Thoughts
Peltier has the track position, Majeski has the momentum, and a field of hungry racers is ready to pounce on any mistake. This is short-track racing at its absolute peak. The grandstands will be packed, the air will smell like race fuel and burnt rubber, and for one driver, immortality awaits. Buckle up. The 58th Annual Snowball Derby is about to go green.
