Snowball Derby Qualifying Order Set

And with that, opening ceremonies have concluded for the Snowball Derby with track activity set to begin on Thursday morning at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

As has become tradition with the annual Wednesday night pit party, the qualifying order for Friday time trials were also decided via a blind draw. Traditionally, teams prefer to go out closer to the end of the session as the storied Florida half-mile has collected a considerable amount of rubber and the cooler temperature often means additional grip and horsepower.

This is vital because only 3o 0f the 63 drivers entered in the Derby will make the race on qualifying speed. The remaining six positions are decided by two provisionals and four transfer spots during Saturday’s last chance race. As a result, getting a good qualifying spot is considered extremely important.

SNOWBALL: 2015 Schedule of Events 

Of note, 2011 Snowball Derby winner and 2013 pole winner Chase Elliott will be the penultimate qualifier and will have an opportunity to break his track record of 16.133. Elliott isn’t the only expected contender who will go out late as he will be joined by K&N Pro Series East champion William Byron, his Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate Christopher Bell and Florida Governor’s Cup winner Ty Majeski.

On the other end of the spectrum, defending Derby runner-up Dalton Sargeant will be the third driver to turn his two laps and will be followed shortly after by Bubba Pollard and Daniel Hemric in the first 15 qualifiers.

Hemric says despite the reputation of Friday qualifying, the procedure isn’t a big deal for those with fast cars.

“Everyone likes to make it a big deal but at the end of the day, it is what it is,” Hemric said. “A few years ago, I drew a one and held on through the last couple of cars, but every year is different.

“So people like to hope they can go out at the end — but it could rain with five cars left so you just never know.”

READ MORE: Complete Snowball Derby Coverage

Meanwhile, 2010 winner Johanna Long has her own preference, hoping to go out in the middle of the session before the dew point hits, dropping a film-like mist on the track.

“I’ve always been the type of driver where I’d rather go out 15th to 30th in the Super Late,” Long said. “You just don’t know how the air will be or the dew once it lands on the track, especially when you have this cooler weather rolling in.”

Lastly, Pollard says he doesn’t mind going out early either.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Pollard said. “It just depends on the dew and the other things that come with it. As long as you have a good race car, you’ll qualify up front.”

The complete qualifying order for the 48th Annual Snowball Derby has been provided below.