Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is set to make his return to Five Flags Speedway this December, aiming for his third victory in the Snowball Derby, one of the most prestigious events in Super Late Model racing. This Kyle Busch Snowball Derby comeback comes after a challenging NASCAR season, and Busch is determined to recapture past glories in Pensacola, Florida, from December 4th to 7th.
A Triumphant Return to Super Late Model Racing
Kyle Busch, returning to his roots after a demanding 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, will compete in the 58th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. The event, which takes place in Pensacola, is revered as a crown jewel of short-track racing and attracts elite drivers from across the country. For Busch, who earned the nickname “Rowdy,” this race is a welcomed challenge after a taxing national schedule in the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
This year marks Busch’s first Derby appearance since 2020 and only his sixth since debuting at the event in 2002. He will drive the No. 51 Lucas Oil car for Bryson Lopez Racing, with crew chief Danny Stockman by his side. Stockman, well-known for leading Jesse Love and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 crew through the 2025 Xfinity Series season, brings extensive experience to the team’s effort.
Busch’s return to Five Flags Speedway is considered something of a homecoming, as he began his racing journey on short tracks before transitioning to the national spotlight. For Busch, performing well at the Snowball Derby is both a professional ambition and a personal passion. Many fans and experts agree that his presence adds extra excitement to the race.
Chasing a Historic Third Snowball Derby Victory
Kyle Busch is already a two-time winner of the Snowball Derby, with triumphs in 2009 and 2017. In 2009, he dominated by leading 91 laps, and in 2017, he returned to victory with a 28-lap surge to take the Tom Dawson trophy. Though his last attempt in 2020 saw him finish seventh after starting ninth, Busch demonstrated resilience against a deeply competitive field.
Busch addressed his feelings about the upcoming challenge, expressing enthusiasm and confidence:
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Pensacola, but I haven’t forgotten how to get around Five Flags. The Snowball Derby is one of those bucket-list races you always want to win again and again, and I’m fired up to be back with the No. 51 Lucas Oil team and FloRacing. We’re showing up to take that trophy home.
— Kyle Busch, Driver
The Snowball Derby, often dubbed the
“Super Bowl of Super Late Models,”
has been a launching pad for racing legends since 1968, including Pete Hamilton, Donnie Allison, and Darrell Waltrip. Modern racing icons such as Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, and Noah Gragson have all competed and succeeded at Pensacola, carrying on the tradition. Notably, Rich Bickle holds the record with five Derby wins, while no current driver besides Busch has reached three. Earning a third trophy would distinguish Busch as a rare talent in Derby history.
A Power-Packed Field Featuring NASCAR’s Best
The 2025 Snowball Derby entry list is filled with standout names from NASCAR and beyond, promising fierce competition and memorable storylines. Erik Jones, who won back-to-back Snowball Derby titles in 2012 and 2013, is among the headlining contenders. Noah Gragson, the 2018 Snowball Derby winner and former Busch Motorsports driver, is also part of the field. These seasoned competitors will face not only each other but also a robust lineup of rising stars and experienced veterans.
Current Cup Series drivers Ryan Preece and Noah Gragson join the fray, adding strength and depth to the field. In addition to them, several rising talents from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, including Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, Jake Garcia, Dawson Sutton, and Bayley Currey, aim to make their mark at Five Flags Speedway. Veteran contenders like Johnny Sauter, the 2016 Truck Series champion, and David Gilliland, a renowned driver-owner, will also take part, enhancing the competitive intensity.
With more than 50 drivers vying for a place on the starting grid, the Snowball Derby promises to be one of the most hotly contested short-track events of the year. The presence of Cup Series regulars and younger prospects ensures that the level of talent rivals that of any major race. This diversity of experience highlights the event’s reputation as a battleground for both proven champions and new talent alike.
What’s at Stake in Pensacola
The week-long schedule at Five Flags Speedway is packed with drama and opportunity. Practice begins on Thursday, December 4, giving participants crucial time to dial in their setups. Qualifying follows on Friday, with only the 30 fastest drivers earning an automatic berth in Sunday’s main event. Those who don’t make the cut must strive for a starting position through Saturday’s last-chance race or rely on a provisional.
Sunday, December 7, marks the green flag for the 58th Snowball Derby at 2 p.m. ET, broadcast live on FloRacing. The event serves as a true test of skill, resiliency, and competitive instincts, where established veterans and up-and-coming drivers alike fight for one of grassroots racing’s most coveted prizes.
Kyle Busch’s determination to claim a third win comes at a time when he looks to rebound from a frustrating Cup Series season. The stakes are high, given the elite competition and the rich history surrounding the Snowball Derby:
Super Bowl of Super Late Models,
— Attributed to the description of the Snowball Derby’s prestige
A victory would place the Las Vegas native alongside some of the sport’s most renowned names and offer a compelling close to his 2025 campaign. The inclusion of familiar faces such as Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, and Chase Elliott only raises the stakes for every participant.
Why Busch’s Comeback Matters for Short Track Racing
Busch’s return not only excites fans in Pensacola and beyond, it underscores the Snowball Derby’s status as a proving ground for the nation’s most talented track racers. His participation connects the grassroots tradition of short-track racing with NASCAR’s brightest stars, creating a unique blend of past, present, and future. The competitive field reflects both established champions like Rich Bickle and modern NASCAR favorites, promising an unforgettable event.
After a season packed with challenges at the national level, the Snowball Derby offers Busch a valuable opportunity to reconnect with his origins and potentially make history. The energy and anticipation among fans, competitors, and the wider motorsport audience are palpable as the Derby approaches.
As the racing community gears up for the December classic, all eyes will be on Kyle Busch and his quest to join the exclusive club of three-time Snowball Derby winners. Win or lose, this comeback promises to strengthen the event’s legacy as one of motorsport’s most fiercely contested showdowns of the year.
Kyle Busch Running First Snowball Derby Since 2020 With Bryson Lopez Racing
byu/SpenceSmithback inNASCAR
