Noah Gragson recently revisited a heartfelt exchange with Dale Earnhardt Jr. following his victory at the 2018 Snowball Derby, as preparations get underway for this year’s highly anticipated race. Gragson, who is returning to the Snowball Derby—one of short track racing’s most celebrated events—will compete against a lineup of NASCAR Cup Series drivers including Kyle Busch and Ryan Preece, with the focus keyword, Noah Gragson Snowball Derby, at the forefront of his journey.
This marks Gragson’s seventh Snowball Derby start. He first claimed the prestigious win in 2018, piloting a Super Late Model for Kyle Busch Motorsports before moving on to JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. For this year’s event, Gragson will take the wheel of the No.30 machine for Retta Jones Racing, highlighting his ongoing commitment to both the race and the evolving world of short track competition.
A Memorable Message from Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Reflecting on his 2018 victory in an interview with Short Track Scene, Gragson described the moment as a career milestone. He emphasized the unique significance of the win not just for himself, but for his connections within the sport. After claiming the title, Gragson received a meaningful text from Dale Earnhardt Jr., acknowledging the rarity and achievement of winning at the Snowball Derby.
“It’s a special group to be a part of. The coolest part is when I won here in 2018 it was my last race at KBM, I was going over to JR Motorsports to run Xfinity cars. Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. text me and said ‘a lot of guys have run that race, including my dad, that never won’. I thought ‘man, that’s pretty special you know.’ Dale Earnhardt’s been around this racetrack, it’s pretty wild to put in perspective.”
– Noah Gragson
The message from Earnhardt Jr., son of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, served as a reminder of the event’s legacy, further elevating the importance of Gragson’s accomplishment in the tightly-knit racing community.
The Competition Heats Up Ahead of the Main Event
As qualifying rounds unfolded, Gragson encountered technical difficulties and missed the chance to log a timed lap during Saturday’s session. Similarly, fellow Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Erik Jones failed to qualify within the top 30. The trio now face the challenge of fighting for one of four transfer spots in the Last Chance Qualifier, making the race for a spot in the main event even more intense.
Among other top contenders, Ryan Preece managed to secure a 27th-place qualifying run, ensuring his spot. Meanwhile, Preston Peltier claimed the pole position for the 58th edition of the Derby, and Ty Majerski—the reigning Truck Series champion and two-time Snowball Derby winner—captured a front-row start in the No.91 car. Defending champion Kaden Honeycutt found himself qualifying further down the field in 16th place.
The main event is set for Sunday, December 7, at 1 PM, with fans able to follow every moment via FloRacing.
Short Track Racing’s Resilient Spirit
Despite inclement weather affecting the buildup, Gragson maintained a positive outlook on the race and the atmosphere around short track events. He recounted his experience at the 2021 Snowball Derby, pointing out the overwhelming attendance and reminiscing about the sport’s prominent past. The driver expressed optimism about short track racing’s future.
“People say short track racing is dead, I don’t necessarily believe that. Come down here to the Snowball Derby, you have a good atmosphere, a good racetrack, good people that put on this race… short track racing is as alive as its ever been in my opinion,”
he said via the aforementioned source. – Noah Gragson
Although Gragson acknowledged that some tracks are struggling due to management challenges, he still sees the genre as vibrant where strong support and organization are present. The conversation underscores the ongoing debates and challenges within the grassroots racing community.
Gragson’s Recent Performance and Team Dynamics
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Gragson closed out the 2025 season ranked 34th, facing a series of setbacks including eight DNFs, with his strongest finish being a fourth place at Talladega Superspeedway. His Front Row Motorsports teammates, Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith, managed stronger showings, placing 27th and 28th in the standings, respectively. The experiences of drivers like Erik Jones, Ty Majerski, and others continue to enrich the competitive field at the Snowball Derby, blending established names with up-and-coming talents.
The atmosphere at the Derby remains electric, as drivers, teams, and fans alike look ahead to the crowning of this year’s champion. With the enduring support of influential figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a determined field led by Noah Gragson, the Snowball Derby’s legacy within short track racing continues to shine, reflecting both the sport’s storied history and its ongoing vitality.
