Kyle Busch, a cornerstone of NASCAR, experienced a pivotal moment at the Snowball Derby, an iconic 300-lap event at Five Flags Speedway. The shock defeat he suffered from an up-and-coming Erik Jones not only highlighted Busch’s competitive fire but also shaped the future path of both drivers, illustrating the profound impact of the Snowball Derby on racing careers.
Kyle Busch Faces an Unexpected Rival at Five Flags Speedway
Even as the Championship season closed, the racing spotlight remained on veteran drivers like Kyle Busch and Ryan Preece who were prepping for the revered Super Late Model contest, the Snowball Derby. Since its founding in 1968, the race at Five Flags Speedway has challenged the finest regional competitors and served as a springboard for future NASCAR stars. Busch himself found inspiration in the Derby, notably when young Erik Jones emerged as an unexpected challenger.
Erik Jones commanded attention during the 2012 Snowball Derby, bringing his Erik Jones Racing No. 4 Super Late Model to the field. In a dramatic final stretch, Jones edged past Busch on a critical restart with just 20 laps to go, executing a bold overtake with only 17 laps left. This defining moment secured Jones the most significant win of his short track career and altered the trajectory of both drivers.
Describing the outcome, NASCAR Legends, a noted fan account, captured the significance:
“Erik Jones won the 2012 Snowball Derby 13 years ago today. 🏁 The 16-year-old beat Kyle Busch for the Derby win. A few months later Busch signed Jones to drive his truck in five @NASCAR_Trucks races, and Jones won the Truck race at Phoenix,”
—NASCAR Legends, Fan Account.
Erik Jones’s Career Launch and Lasting Legacy
This race was more than just a win for Erik Jones; it served as a catalyst for his rapid ascent through the ranks. Shortly after his Derby triumph, Kyle Busch offered Jones a five-race stint in the Camping World Truck Series. The gamble paid off when Jones clinched victory at Phoenix on his fifth attempt. By 2015, Jones had captured the Truck Series championship and debuted full-time in the Cup Series in 2017 with Furniture Row Motorsports. His ascent continued as Busch advocated for Joe Gibbs to give Jones the No. 20 car at Joe Gibbs Racing the following year. Jones’s persistence paid off when he achieved his first Cup victory at Daytona International Speedway, narrowly defeating Martin Truex Jr.
Reflecting on the events of 2012, Erik Jones, now racing for Legacy Motor Club, shared how the experience shaped him:
“That moment in 2012 for me was really magical. The feeling that I had, I still remember it really well. I’m at a really different spot in my life at this point in my career. I think winning again would be a really different feeling than what it was the first time around.”
—Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver.
A Stacked Lineup: NASCAR Veterans and Rising Talents
The 2025 Snowball Derby is drawing notable names, including past and present NASCAR champions. Apart from Kyle Busch and Erik Jones, prominent entrants include Noah Gragson, the 2018 Derby winner; Ty Majeski, reigning Craftsman Truck Series Champion and two-time Derby victor; and Ryan Preece, the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion. Johnny Sauter, the 2016 Truck Series Champion, also joins the competitive field. Their presence reflects both the popularity of the Derby and its status as a proving ground for top-tier talent.
While these NASCAR dignitaries attract widespread attention, they are set to compete against an elite collection of Late Model specialists, each determined to capture the prestigious Tom Dawson trophy.
The Snowball Derby’s Unique Status and Diverse Competition
What distinguishes the Snowball Derby is the mixture of experienced NASCAR drivers and accomplished short-track racers, all challenging their limits over 300 grueling laps. This year’s field is packed with contenders for the Tom Dawson trophy—an honor named for the Derby’s founder and cherished within American stock car racing. On the challenging Pensacola track, competitors face rough pavement and tight grooves that demand skill and persistence.
Leading the roster of short-track standouts is Derek Thorn, a decorated SRL Southwest Tour Champion and the 2022 Snowball Derby winner. Kaden Honeycutt, the youngest Derby champion in 2024 at just 21 years old, arrives as the CARS Pro Late Model Champion. Bubba Pollard, beloved by fans for his more than 150 career victories and wins in the All-American 400, Slinger Nationals, Rattler 250, Red Eye 100, and Oxford 250, is also in contention. Other notables like Stephen Nasse, Dawson Sutton, and Cole Butcher round out the field, ensuring a competitive and spirited race.
A Race Anticipated by Fans and Drivers Alike
The atmosphere for this year’s Snowball Derby is already charged with excitement, as fans look forward to another memorable showdown. The unique blending of established NASCAR champions like Kyle Busch and rising stars such as Kaden Honeycutt makes the event a focal point for passionate motorsports followers. For drivers, a Derby victory not only means personal glory but can also serve, as it did for Erik Jones, as a launchpad to greater professional heights. As the action unfolds at Five Flags Speedway, the motorsport world watches closely to see which name will leave a lasting mark on this storied race’s history.
Erik Jones won the 2012 Snowball Derby 13 years ago today. 🏁
The 16-year old beat Kyle Busch for the Derby win. A few months later Busch signed Jones to drive his truck in five @NASCAR_Trucks races, and Jones won the Truck race at Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/ZTVtKwAIcQ
— NASCAR Legends (@LegendsNascar) December 3, 2025
