This weekend is the Snowball Derby and the RACE22.com staff once again offers up their predictions on what we will see on Sunday and what fans should keep an eye on during the week-long build-up to the green flag.

Andy Marquis (Editor at RACE22.com)

Five to Watch: Dalton Sargeant, Christopher Bell, Bubba Pollard, Chase Elliott and Augie Grill.

Underdog: Cole Timm.  While he might not be an “underdog” in the traditional sense in Super Late Model racing, Timm is only making his second derby appearance and racing against drivers he does not normally race against.  However, the CARS Super Late Model Tour champion has beaten many of these drivers at Southern National.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Timm surprised everyone the way Dalton Sargeant did one year ago.

Bold Prediction: Despite not being a factor at the end in recent years, Johanna Long will establish herself as a threat to win in this year’s Derby.  Long already has one win in this race and is pursuing her second Tom Dawson trophy.  While she may not win the race, she will be inside the top-10 on Sunday.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Stephen Nasse.  The likable Florida veteran has not been the consistent threat to win races this year as we’ve seen in the past.  Maybe the team has figured out why they’ve been off but, if they haven’t, Nasse may be a big name forced to go home.

Matt Weaver (SLM Editor at RACE22.com)

Five to Watch: Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard, Daniel Hemric, Ty Majeski and Dalton Sargeant

Underdog: DJ VanderLey. The 2011 runner-up hasn’t had the same success in this race since coming up short to Chase Elliott but knows Five Flags Speedway like the back of his hand and has spent all year fine-tuning his No. 2 Ford for this one occasion.

Bold Prediction: I’m going to go out on a limb and say that a driver that we all expect to contend for the win will somehow miss the race. With a field this loaded from top-to-bottom, someone significant is going to get bumped.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Anderson Bowen. The 2014 Alabama 200 winner hasn’t raced much this season and actually needed a provisional to make the field last season. He will not have that opportunity this year and is at risk of missing the race as a result.

Alanis King (Texas Contributor)

Five to Watch: Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard, John Hunter Nemechek and Dalton Sargeant

Underdog:  Though he hasn’t managed to break into the top three in the finishing order yet, Hunter Robbins usually runs well at the Snowball Derby. He’s finished fourth in the event twice now, and comes from a SLM background.

We’ve also seen how having a bit of competition from his now-fiancé Johanna Long can help—last year, Robbins grabbed the pole from Long and the couple started on the front row together. Long is back for this year’s event as well.

Bold Prediction:  This will be Christopher Bell’s debut in the Snowball Derby but that likely won’t hurt his chances. Bell participated in the Snowflake 100 last December and finished in sixth, but he has a background in Super Late Model racing to off-set the pressure of piloting the Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 51 entry.
Bell will likely contend for the win, and if he doesn’t get it, I’d imagine that we will see him among the top-five finishers at the end to the day.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): DJ VanderLey. If there is anyone with the potential for making the DNQ list who would be a surprise, it’s probably DJ VanderLey. Ever since intensely contesting Chase Elliott for the win in 2011, VanderLey hasn’t quite been able to find his stride in the Snowball Derby again.
He tends to barely slide into the field, qualifying 26th in 2012 and 22nd in 2014.

Matthew Bishop (Photographer)

Five to Watch: Christopher Bell, Dalton Sargent, William Byron, Grant Enfinger and Harrison Burton

Underdog: Garrett Jones

Bold Prediction: It’s not exactly a bold prediction but just like Dale Earnhardt Sr. had trouble winning the Daytona 500, short track superstar Bubba Pollard has yet to capture the Tom Dawson trophy. This will be Pollard’s year and he will finally get his first Snowball Derby victory.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Mason Mingus

Christopher DeHarde (Special to Race22.com)

Five to Watch: Bubba Pollard, Chase Elliott, Daniel Hemric, Augie Grill and John Hunter Nemechek

Underdog: Dominique Van Wierengen. NEMCO has provided good Super Late Models for both DVW and John Hunter Nemechek. She’s shown flashes of brilliance and has the speed if she can survive to the end of the race.

Bold Prediction: Bubba Pollard will win the Snowball Derby but lead fewer than 50 laps.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Chad Finley.