Special from 51sports
Entering the Snowball Derby is a No-Brainer
for Scott Hantz
Accomplished Indiana Driver is Aiming
for a Top Five Finish, But Dreaming of a Big Victory
By Matt Kentfield
PENSACOLA, FL
(November 18, 2010) – It
doesn’t matter if it is an event for cars with wild Outlaw bodies or
sleek ABC bodies. It doesn’t matter if the race is part of a major
short track tour like the CRA or if it is an open show at a local
track. If it is a Super Late Model show, Scott Hantz wants to be
there.
That makes it
 absolutely
no surprise that the Angola, Indiana driver is making plans to race at
the biggest SLM show in the land – the 43rd Annual Snowball
Derby that will take place at Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway
from December 1st-5th.
Heading to the
Derby is no easy task, only the best-prepared teams need apply when it
comes to having a shot at a strong finish. But Hantz knows that the
extra work and resources that are needed to make the race every year
are well worth it.
“You know, the
Derby is an expensive race that takes a lot of preparation and a pit
crew,” said Hantz. “Every year, you wonder why you do it and then
every year you go down there and see it and it’s the closest thing to
NASCAR for us. There are so many people and so many cars. The
competition is a lot of fun. The rules are in black and white and
Ricky [Brooks] is very fair with everyone [in enforcing those rules],
so we want to be there. It’s my Daytona 500.”
Since it is such a
big race, Hantz is realistic about his chances. Yes, he wants to
win. But he’s been around enough to know that a strong and
respectable finish is its own victory when you are racing against the
best teams in Super Late Model racing. Hantz almost got that top-five
result in last season’s Derby, but got into a wreck on the final lap.
“Obviously, you
want to win but I’d be happy with a top five,” said Hantz. I’ve never
finished in the top five there yet. I was running fifth there on the
last lap and got crashed. So hopefully, I’ll just have a good
showing.”
Hantz knows too
that the Derby experience isn’t just about Sunday’s big race. In
fact, he is quick to point out that Friday night’s qualifying session
is just as important – and the atmosphere is just as electric.
“The best thing
there is the qualifying,” said Hantz. “There are probably 500 people
standing on pit road when you qualify. It is unbelievable.”
Hantz has a long
resume in short track racing already. He’s been the CRA Super Series
champion, he’s won at the historic Nashville short track and he’s won
the Winchester 400. A Snowball Derby victory would be fitting for
this racer.
“It would be good
to see the Derby trophy next to my Winchester shotgun,” said Hantz.
“I’ve got a guitar from Nashville too, so the Derby would be a good
addition.”
With that long list
of accomplishments, you might think if Hantz could win the Derby this
year, it would be the kind of moment where he might just retire in
victory lane at the height of his career. But Hantz is a racer and
that would not be his game plan.
“No,” he laughed
when asked about that scenario. “I’d just come back and try to do it
again.”
The 43rd
Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off on Wednesday, December 1st,
with the Cat Country/WEAR TV3 Free Green Flag Party, where fans can
meet their favorite drivers on the Five Flags asphalt. On-track
action kicks off on Thursday, December 2nd, with practice
for the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100 cars, as well as features for
the Five Flags Bomber and Sportsman divisions. Friday is qualifying
day for the Snowball Derby cars, while the Pro Late Models will get
more practice and the Super Stocks and Modified feature events.
The Allen Turner
Hyundai Snowflake 100 will go green on Saturday, December 4th,
along with last-chance qualifying races for the Snowball Derby. Then
on Sunday, the green flag will wave for the 43rd Annual
Snowball Derby.
For more
information on the 43rd Annual Snowball Derby, contact Five
Flags Speedway by calling (850) 944-8400 and be sure to visit
www.snowballderby.com and
www.fiveflagsspeedway.com. |
