Five Flags Speedway
Five Flags Speedway is a renowned half-mile (0.805 km) paved oval racetrack located on Pine Forest Road in Pensacola, Florida. It derives its name from the nickname of Pensacola—the “City of Five Flags,” a reference to the five governments that have ruled the city: Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Since its opening in 1953, Five Flags has become a cornerstone of American short-track racing, attracting top-tier drivers and race fans alike.
History
The speedway officially opened on May 31, 1953, with a challenging start marred by dust and a 14-car pileup on its very first day due to hastily applied track surface treatments. Despite early difficulties, Five Flags quickly established itself in NASCAR history by hosting a NASCAR Grand National Series race in its inaugural year, won by Herb Thomas in his Fabulous Hudson Hornet. Over the decades, the track has experienced several ownership changes and has shifted racing classes from Supermodifieds to Late Models, which remain the premier class today.
The track’s signature event, the Snowball Derby, began in 1968 as a 100-lap race and has since grown into one of the nation’s most prestigious late-model stock car races, now conducted over 300 laps every December. The event has attracted legendary drivers such as Donnie Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Kyle Busch, and Chase Elliott, cementing Five Flags as a beacon for competitive racing during the winter months.
Five Flags Speedway has also hosted numerous regional touring series over the years, including the NASCAR Southeast Series, ARCA Racing Series, ASA National Tour, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (now ARCA Menards Series East), and the Superstar Racing Experience in 2022. The track remains active with local racing classes such as Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, Pro Trucks, Outlaw Stocks, Sportsman, and Pure Stocks, with races typically held bi-weekly on Friday nights from March through October.
Most Famous Races Held
The most iconic race at Five Flags is the annual Snowball Derby, arguably the premier short-track late-model stock car event in the United States. Held every December since 1968, it draws top talent from around the country and is a highlight on many drivers’ calendars. The track has also been a longstanding venue for NASCAR-sanctioned series events, including a NASCAR Grand National (now Cup Series) race in 1953 and subsequent regional series races that have supported developing talent and maintained a high competitive standard.
Track Information
Five Flags Speedway is a 0.5-mile paved oval with banking in the corners ranging from 10° to 16° and 9° on the straightaways, contributing to high-speed, side-by-side racing. Its nearly circular layout and steep banking deliver one of the fastest short-track experiences in America. The track surface is known for being abrasive, promoting rapid tire wear, which emphasizes driver skill and tire management strategies. The current Super Late Model qualifying lap record stands at 16.120 seconds, set by Ty Majeski in 2015.
The facility supports a vibrant racing schedule from early spring through fall and also hosts Gulf Coast Region SCCA autocross events on its inner road course, showcasing its versatility as a motorsports venue.