Ryan Preece has withdrawn from the 2025 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola after the event was postponed to Monday, December 8, citing a challenging week and limited track time caused by weather disruptions. The Ryan Preece Snowball Derby withdrawal came after days of rain and shifting schedules that impacted many drivers, despite extensive preparations by Preece and his team.
Weather Forces Disruptions and Postponements at Five Flags Speedway
The buildup to this year’s Snowball Derby was marked by persistent rain at Five Flags Speedway. Heavy showers washed out all activities on Thursday, forcing organizers to cancel planned practice sessions. Although a single practice resumed on Friday morning, further rain meant the cancellation of the second scheduled session that day.
These interruptions left many drivers struggling to adapt, with limited opportunities to fine-tune their cars. Organizers eventually postponed the headlining event to Monday at 1 pm CT, while support-series races—already facing delays—were pushed back to the following day. The uncertainty and shifting schedule added considerable stress for competitors and teams, including Preece, who had qualified with a lap time of 16.519 seconds and locked into the top 30.
Preece Reflects on His Withdrawal and Thanks Supporters
Preece, driving the No. 60 Super Late Model he had built and prepared himself, was set to make his fourth appearance at the Snowball Derby. His racing history at the Derby dates back to 2008, with a top-four finish upon his return in 2021, and another attempt made in 2023. In an emotional post shared on X, he addressed the challenging circumstances that led to his decision to withdraw from the race:
“Unfortunately, I’ve withdrawn from the Snowball Derby. Thank you to my friends, family, and sponsors for standing behind me throughout this effort. It’s been a tough week for everyone, Thank you to Tim, event staff, and the race fans,”
Ryan Preece wrote.
The Allure of Short-Track Racing for a Cup Series Driver
Earlier this week, Preece discussed the enduring appeal of the Snowball Derby in an interview with Short Track Scene. Despite his commitments with RFK Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, he expressed a deep attachment to his roots in short-track and modified racing. Preece highlighted the unique challenge and personal satisfaction of building and racing a Super Late Model outside of the main NASCAR calendar.
“Came back here in 2021, basically, because I had worked with Chris [Gabehart] in the past. I kind of started to get that itch, came here and we finished fourth which I thought was pretty respectable for everything that we had going on. Then it has just kind of lit that fire,”
Ryan Preece said.
“I tried playing golf man, I’m not good at it. I like building race cars, I enjoy the thought process and that mental exercise of what can I do to make it go faster, not just being a racecar driver and doing the things you need to do out on the track but also from the setup side,”
he added.
Missed Opportunity for History at the Derby
Preece’s withdrawal carries added weight given his aspirations of becoming the first New England native to capture a Snowball Derby win in 51 years. His consistent presence at the event and past performance—such as the notable fourth place finish in 2021, working alongside figures like Chris Gabehart and supported by friends, family, and sponsors—have made him a competitor to watch.
This year, though, his absence creates a new void, offering another racer a chance at the spotlight while underscoring the unpredictability and challenges inherent in grassroots motorsports. How Preece’s withdrawal affects the rest of the race week remains to be seen, but his experience highlights the resilience demanded of all drivers at this prestigious short-track event.
Unfortunately, I’ve withdrawn from the Snowball Derby.
Thank you to my friends, family, and sponsors for standing behind me throughout this effort.
It’s been a tough week for everyone, Thank you to Tim, event staff, and the race fans. pic.twitter.com/ZBfbqfmRgF
— Ryan Preece (@RyanPreece_) December 8, 2025
Why does a modified guy like Ryan Preece care so much about the Derby?
Simple. He’s a racer, one who appreciates the time and effort that goes into a Snowball Derby program. pic.twitter.com/zZVvkgRav8
— Short Track Scene (@ST_Scene) December 3, 2025
