12.05
ELLIOTT SCORES DRAMATIC, RECORD-BREAKING VICTORY IN 44th ANNUAL SNOWBALL DERBY
No matter how far he goes in his racing career, a big part of Chase Elliott’s resume will always be that he’s a Snowball Derby winner.
The Snowball Derby is to short track racers what the Masters is to golfers or what the Superbowl is to football players. The Snowball’s list of winners reads like a Who’s Who of auto racing. Former winners include drivers who also have achieved great success in NASCAR, drivers like Pete Hamilton, Donnie Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Jody Ridley, Rick Crawford and Kyle Busch.
The Snowball Derby, held at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., also has attracted its share of famous drivers who were unable to win the coveted trophy. That list includes some of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, among them Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, David Pearson and Elliott’s own father, Bill Elliott, who ran the Snowball twice, in 1981 and 1982, but failed to finish either time.
Elliott not only won the Derby, he became the youngest winner in the 44-year-history of the race as he won after turning 16 the Monday before. And he did it in dramatic fashion, outrunning D.J. VanderLey in a five-lap, door-to-door duel to seal the victory.
“It’s what I’ve been looking forward to all year”, Elliott said as he held a tight grip on the coveted trophy from Victory Lane. “I don’t think I’m ever going to let it go.
“I thank Aaron’s and Mom and Dad and the grace of God, and I have to thank my team. They made this happen. They stayed calm fixed the car, and we never gave up.
“I just can’t believe it.”
Like any great triumph, Elliott’s Snowball win didn’t come without its share of challenges.
Elliott and the crew of his No. 9 Aaron’s Dream Machine were among 54 of America’s best short trackers vying for one of the 35 starting spots.
Elliott and his team qualified a respectable ninth for the Snowball Derby, while also competing in the preliminary Snowflake 100, where he was the defending winner. Elliott started 27th in the Snowflake and had worked his way to 16th before being collected in a crash. His Aaron’s team replaced the radiator, and he stormed back to finish fifth and more importantly show that he and his team would do whatever it took to overcome a potential setback.
On Sunday, Elliott was on the move from the start of the 300-lap run. He passed Landon Cassill, Hunter Robbins, Augie Grill, Jeremy Pate and Grant Enfinger to take over the fourth position before caution was displayed on Lap 98, when the Aaron’s team pitted for tires and fuel.
Elliott returned to the track in sixth position. The green flag waved again on Lap 114, and Elliott passed Cassill and Enfinger to take the fifth position before another caution flew for a crash in Turn Four. When the green flag flew at Lap 141, the leaders began spinning off Turn Four and Augie Grill, with nowhere to go, rammed Elliott from behind.
As they did the night before, the Aaron’s crew rose to the occasion and made the necessary repairs under the leadership of crew chief and former Derby winner Ricky Turner.
“It broke the back bumper brace bar, and we had to bearbond it back together because there was no time to weld it,” Turner said. “We came back into the pits three times during the caution, staying ahead of the pace car to maintain our lead lap position.
“The guys did a good job getting everything fixed back, and it all stayed intact to the end of the race.”
Amazingly, Elliott’s tires survived the incident without damage.
As Elliott tightened his belts to take the green flag after his team finished taping the car back together. Always the optimist, he radioed to the crew:“ Good job, guys. I’m not giving up.”
He lined up as the last car on the lead lap in his Impala “Jerry-Lee” in its debut run and began making his way back through the field.
One by one he picked them off smooth and steady, and by Lap 218 he had moved into second place. When the caution was displayed on Lap 220, Turner called Elliott to the pits for tires and fuel for what would be their last stop of the day.
Elliott came out of the pits as the leader for the first time in the race. Many more cautions played into strategies for teams as the laps wound down, but it was the call from Turner atop the pit box when caution was displayed on Lap 272 that put Elliott in position to win.
Turner left Elliott on the track, telling him: “Stay out. Game on,” even as Enfinger, in second place, stopped for four fresh tires.
“They have to pit to have any chance of catching you,” Turner said. “We have to run our race.”
Over the final laps, Elliott and D.J. VanderLey pulled away to settle the race among themselves, just as Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart had done at Homestead-Miami Speedway to decide the Sprint Cup championship.
Elliott’s final hurdle arose when a late-race wreck brought out the red flag and set up a five-lap dash for the win.
Elliott admitted that he didn’t have the best restart of his life, but he hung in there with VanderLey and the two jockeyed for the lead before Elliott pulled ahead on the final lap to win by 0.229 seconds.
Elliott said he wasn’t particularly nervous over the final five laps. He was just trying to be smooth and race responsibly.
“I was just trying to hit my marks,” he said. “I knew I had a good car, and I was trying to be smart and race [VanderLey] clean and not wreck him.”
It was a birthday wish come true in a big way, as Elliott told his mother Cindy in Victory Lane.
“I wished for this, Mom,” he said. “I wished to win the Snowball Derby. This is my wish come true.”
ELLIOTT 2011 RACE-BY-RACE RESULTS
|
DATE |
TRACK |
EVENT |
SERIES |
QUAL |
START |
FINISH |
| 1/30 | Lanier National Speedway | SpeedFest SLM 200 (CRA Six-Pak) |
CRA |
8 |
8 |
1 |
| 1/30 | Lanier National Speedway | Speedfest PLM 150 |
|
3 |
3 |
1 |
| 3/5 | Opp, Alabama | The Baby Rattler 125 PLM |
|
6 |
6 |
1 |
| 3/6 | Opp, Alabama | The Rattler 250 SLM |
CRA |
2 |
2 |
5 |
| 4/2 | Greenville-Pickens | Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 |
K & N |
26 |
26 |
4 |
| 4/17 | South Boston Speedway | K&N Pro Series East |
K & N |
9 |
9 |
22 |
| 4/28 | Richmond International Raceway | K&N Pro Series East |
K & N |
6 |
6 |
24 |
| 4/28 | Richmond International Raceway | Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown |
UARA |
12 |
22 |
3 |
| 5/14 | Rockingham Speedway | Carolina 200 |
USAR |
6 |
6 |
1 |
| 5/21 | Iowa Speedway | Pork ‘Be Inspired’ 175 |
K & N |
19 |
19 |
11 |
| 5/28 | Langley Speedway | Visit Hampton, VA 250 |
USAR |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| 6/3 | Bowman Gray Stadium | Army Strong-150 |
K & N |
7 |
7 |
18 |
| 6/11 | Gresham Motorsports Park | Slack Auto Parts 150 |
K & N |
6 |
6 |
22 |
| 6/18 | Langley Speedway | Visit Hampton, VA 175 |
K & N |
7 |
7 |
5 |
| 6/22 | Berlin Raceway | Rowdy’s Revenge 251 |
CRA |
18 |
18 |
5 |
| 6/25 | Five FlagsSpeedway | Print Now 100 |
Blizzard |
2 |
7 |
2 |
| 6/26 | Mobile International Speedway | Miller Lite 100 |
SGCC |
8 |
3 |
4 |
| 7/15 | New Hampshire Speedway | New England 125 |
K &N |
10 |
10 |
10 |
| 7/23 | Columbus Speedway | Inagural Jegs 150 |
K & N |
8 |
8 |
6 |
| 8/1 | Anderson Speedway | Red Bud 300 |
CRA |
3 |
4 |
2 |
| 8/12 | Five Flags Speedway | Rubber and specialties 100 |
|
5 |
4 |
1 |
| 8/13 | Mobile International | Miller Lite Series 100 |
|
11 |
11 |
15 |
| 8/19 | Dixie Motor Speedway | CRA Super Series 125 |
CRA |
7 |
1 |
1 |
| 8/20 | Winchester Speedway | JEGS-ALL-STAR TOUR 100 |
JEGS |
7 |
2 |
1 |
| 9/10 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway | Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 |
K & N |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| 9/17 | Gresham Motorsports Park | George Elliott Memorial 100 |
CRA |
2 |
6 |
15(broke) |
| 9/18 | Montgomery Motor Speedway | Alabama 200 |
|
DNQ |
20 |
2 |
| 9/23 | New Hampshire Speedway |
K&N |
17 |
17 |
11(Rain) |
|
| 9/30 | Dover International Speedway | The Dover 150 |
K&N |
11 |
11 |
29 |
| 10/2 | Lucas Oil Raceway | MCGunegill Engine Performance 100 |
JEGS |
4 |
4 |
DNF |
| 10/2 | Lucas Oil Raceway | Seal Wrap Repair Tape 100 |
CRA |
11 |
11 |
5 |
| 10/16 | Winchester Speedway | 40th Winchester 400 |
CRA |
7 |
7 |
3 |
| 11/5 | Caraway (NC) Speedway | North South Shootout |
CRA |
4 |
5 |
13 |
| 11/12 | Phoenix International Raceway | Casion Arizona 125 |
K&N |
12 |
12 |
3 |
| 11/13 | Gresham Motorsports Park | World Crown 300 |
|
34 |
34 |
3 |
| 12/3 | 5 Flags Speedway | Snow Flake 100 |
|
27 |
27 |
5 |
| 12/4 | 5 Flags Speedway | Snow Ball Derby | 9 | 9 | 1 |
About Aaron’s: Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership stores offer customers access to high-quality furniture, appliances, electronics and computers for sale or as a lease-ownership arrangement. Customers have the option of buying their merchandise for an attractive cash price or opting to lease their merchandise for even greater flexibility. With a lease option, customers make modest monthly payments and have the immediate use of the items they need without waiting for credit checks or other delays. Plus, Aaron’s will take care of delivery, setup, repairs, and more for the duration of a customer’s lease. For more information, please visit shopaarons.com.
SHR – where are you?
Sounds like from what McGrew said, I believe it was something like “until Chase starts running a cup car”. Sounds like a contract extension to me……..
Not good, looks like Zip will be crew chief for danica in her 10 races. Looks like SHR is not going to run the team full time. Really thought they would have, with Bill. I really did.
Sad day…poor decision by SHR.
Tough times out there, feel real bad for Bill being benched with all that talent, many drivers out there have had their chance to no avail, too bad an owner will not pick-up Bill.
Really thought that Hendrick would see the benefit to running Bill someplace, oh well, he got Chase and an announcement that GM was happy to have Bill. 4 races. bummer!
Ha Cindy,
Know Bill is eligible for the Bud Shootout in 2012. Any rides been offered?
Shortest book in history coming out soon. I wonder if it will be called “One Hit Wonder”??? I’ll let you all guess who this book is about.
None yet
Chase has a lot of work to do before that offer comes….
Hey Cindy that book I was talking about was the 2011 Daytona 500 winner. After seeing some of the exerts the part about faith is really good. Unfair assessment by me. I honestly figured it would be a bunch of bragging on the lucky win. I still catch myself fuming over that 21 car mess.
intials are TB.
I am all with you Joe. Will not read book, as I said, luckiest kid on earth on 2011. Nice kid I am sure, but way lucky and was not very thankful. Water under the bridge…on with 2012, hope Bill gets something and cannot wait to see Chase progress.
BTW, I like Stenhouse Jr a whole lot more than Bayne, and they both are religious, just Stenhouse is a true racer. Hope he gets a turn in 21, excluding Daytona, Bayne never finished as well as Stenhouse’s one race in Charlotte.
I compare the 2 – Bayne vs Stenhouse against Earnhardt Jr vs Kenseth, we know who are the racers and who are the pretenders. Just my opinion.
Just like Bill & Chase are real racers..my kind of people.
Like I have said before about Daytona winners, qualify them 1-43. Pick a number out of a hat and you will have a better chance to win then picking your favorite driver. It’s a total crap shoot now days. Not like it was when Bill would walk off by hisself and leave a pack of 10 in the dust. Now that was racing, not luck!
Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! May God’s blessings be overshadowed upon all. It’s been a “GREAT” year! I pray that we’ll all take time and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season.
Cindy, I hope you all are having fun on the slopes…. Stay safe! Merry Christmas and God bless.
Go #9
http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/blog/post/2011/12/21/Chase-Elliott-blogs-about-the-close-of-2011
Merry Christmas to all of ya’ll as well. Just thought I would share Chase’s post here as well. God Bless.
So RFR takes Best Buy away from RPM in late December? I know how that makes RPM feel. I wonder how it makes the Wood Bros feel?? They have to know that Jack would steal Motorcraft too if he really needed them for his own cars. Sad state for NASCAR.
Nice truck Chase…enjoy!
Keith, not sure RFR “stole” the sponsor, it is business as everyone always says so I think I would rather be on the 17 & 99 than the 43. We also do not know if Almandinger asked for move to 22 before or after Best Buy left.
As the Wood’s said, this is business when Bill was replaced by Bayne. Just saying, if I was Motorcraft, I would rather be on say the RFR #6 with Stenhouse Jr and I am sure WBR & Bayne can get new sponsorship..I believe Bayne is better than sliced bread right now??!
Ah, maybe sponsors are waiting for him to really perform?
I wonder how long this will last???
Kurt Busch gets ride for 2012: Kurt Busch will drive the #51 Chevy for Phoenix Racing in 2012. Busch put the handshake deal together with team owner James Finch on Wednesday night. “I went to the shop, and on the Christmas tree was a sign that read, ‘All we want from Santa is a winning driver,’ ” Finch said. “We will be at the Daytona test next month and start with the Shootout.” The decision comes just weeks after Busch left [#22 Dodge] Penske Racing in a mutual parting. Upon his departure, Busch said he “wanted racing to be fun again.” Phoenix Racing runs Hendrick Motorsports cars and engines. Said Finch: “I told Kurt, ‘I won’t fire you, and you won’t quit. We’ll do whatever it takes roll in the mud if we have to win. I’ve worked construction all my life just so I could race and have a good time. I’ve worked with iron workers, I worked with construction workers, so working with a driver is not going to be a problem. As I said earlier, all we want to do is win”. Landon Cassill most recently piloted the #51 for Finch last season. Finch finished 30th in owner points.(FoxSports)(12-22-2011)
Kurt Busch signs with Finch #51-they should be good together, seem like same personalities. what a downgrade for Kurt..that is what he gets.
Finch will one day learn it is his team that is the problem, not the drivers. But..maybe he is going to get better equipment from Hendrick? I do not know.
Do you really think so? I mean about the equipment-Think that all the way through.
Rick it will be the same junk! Let’s just sit back and watch the drama at Phoenix Racing in 2012…. Lol
Well I am not saying it was ever Junk. I am just saying think about it guys. The history that is there already…..
Cindy. Did Bill race any Hendrick car’s last year? If so how old where the car’s? I don’t think Kurt will get anything better then what Bill or Landon got! Any guess on where Mike Ford may end up?
I know when Brad K won, the news was it was a hendrick prepared car, much like when Bayne won it was a Roush car, massaged by WBs. I do not believe Bill ever had “good” hendrick or Roush stuff (except Homestead 2010).
I thought I read last year when Bill was in 09 that they were getting hendrick equipment after some races. after Bill.
Cindy, I think it is definately the team that is the problem, if they are getting Hendrick cars & engines like SHR. But is the 51 getting “good” equipment? or older equipment?
Kurt Busch and Finch, this ought to be a circus! “A handshake deal”, boy that’s real security. That would be like marrying Kim Kardashian and planning your 50th wedding aniversary! LOL
Finch WILL fire Kurt between races 4 and 10 if they are not competitive. On another note 62 year old Geoff Bodine has a deal next year in Cup. Really?
How about Bill in the #9 at RPM and move Ambrose to the 43? Nice way to finish career.
hahahaah I have to take some more Advil hahaahah Busch and Fincheroooooooooooooo hahahaah
Merry Christmas to Bill, Cindy, Chase and all the Elliott family and of course to all my loyal counterparts that post here,
Merry Christmas to all of Bill’s loyal fans. And All the Best in 2012.
I feel that what Bill is going through is part of what is destroying the sport. Think about in the 80s and 90s when NASCAR was able to expand and grow its fan base, they kept loyal fans, while adding others. This was accomplished by allowing veterans that had their fanbase built up, to kinda go out on their own terms. Cale Yarborough comes to mind. Also, there was no way that DW was gonna be out of a ride unless he decided to quit. Richard Petty quit when he wanted to, not when he was forced to. This kept their fans interested. I feel Bill was forced out of a couple of rides, when he still had a lot to offer. I’m a pretty smart fella, with lots of education, so I feel this is a big reason we have empty seats at tracks (even Bristol).
A bad day at Penske is better than a good day at Phoenix. At least those guys won’t be offended at Kurts cussing rants.
Otherwise, Merry Christmas to all!
I agree with what 52 said;
I agree with 52 and wish all that post here and the Elliotts, a very Merry Christamas and great times with your families & friends.
God willing…we will see Bill in a ride in 2012.
Check this article out! They’re still not over it…..
http://www.nascar.com/news/111222/retro-racing-junior-johnson-tim-brewer-recall-firing-1992-season/index.html
Kurt and Finch will “almost” make me start watching racing again…that will be better than “Days of our Lives”…hahaha…I can see it now. Cindy does Chase have any plans to run any ARCA races, I’m just curious. I know you guys know what is best for him. Merry Christmas to the Elliotts and all my friends on here…
Yes he is eligible for 1 mile and under.
Wow, what an article.. a shame, wish Bill & Tim could have worked together again in Cup. I believe Bill ran a truck race with Tim at Vegas and came in 2nd…they would have done well together if given a chance somewhere.
Glad to hear Chase will be in some ARCA races…great experience..racing is looking brighter!!!
I strongly believe Tim and Bill would have been a formidable team similar to Knaus/Johnston and Gordon/Evernham. The whole Finch/Busch deal is a soap opera in the making but don’t be surprised if they end up surprising a few people.
With the lack of decent rides, sponsorship woes and numerous eligible drivers I am concerned about Bill’s chances to get behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup car but we will wait and see. Dosen’t look like corporate America is to keen on sponsoring a car for the entire season.
All I want for Christmas is:
Bill & Mike Ford running the 26 races with Danica in the #10 at SHR OR Bill & Mike Ford – #9 Ford at RPM(thanks Blair for that one). OR
Any competitive part time (or full) team in Cup. Am I asking for too much Santa??
Hey guys I hope you all are enjoying the Holidays. I wanted to come on here for second to ask you guys what you thought of the radiator changes for the RP tracks and the strong chance in car communications will be banned as well. It would seem to me the radiator change would kill any two car drafting…..What do you guys think?
Makes no sense to me that Geoff Bodine gets a full time ride with sponsorship and Bill cant get anything. What has Geoff Bodine ever accomplished? Oh yeah, I forgot. He came in handy when you were at a race and had to pee and needed a caution and could use restroom without missing any action.
A green Christmas up here in central NY this year.. Bill & Cindy hope it’s a great day for you and yours.. I am hoping something pans out for you Bill. Please don’t be mad for me hoping it’s a Ford.. I read the comment about Marcos going to the #43 and making room for ya. Too good probably to come true but it is a cool thought anyway. a Happy New Year everybody !..
Would be great to see Bill & Ford (crew chief & manufacturer) together once again. But I am afraid FoMoCo has moved on from Bill….too bad for sure. They really goofed…Chase will one day race against the likes of Bayne and it will be no contest. Chase is smart beyond his years, I hope he keeps learning as he has had keeps that level head, he came from great roots and if he stays grounded the sky’s the limit so to speak. Hat a contradiction in terms:)
learning as he has “and” keeps that level head. – spelling problem today I guess!
Also “what” a contradiction in terms
wm. tornatore – I live about 35 miles NW of Albany, got a dusting of snow for x-mas, hope it stays like that all winter. That would be awesome to see Bill in the famed 43, especially with STP sponsorship. It sure would be great!
Where abouts in NY do you live near?
212.809 MPH…………, The fastest official lap ever in a stock car.
If those thinking HEADS in Daytona want to start filling seats again at the track, they need Bill Elliott out there full time.
I just read that about Geoff Bodine and let out a long loud groan. I by no means want to disrespect Geoff Bodine but how in the world could he ever be more appealing to a team than Bill Elliott. It sure is a shame not to see Bill running in Nascar. I thought for sure after leaving Finch someone would have picked Bill up for a race or two. I like the fact and respect the fact that Elliott isn’t wanting to put more time into the sport without competitive equipment. I still cringe at the thought that Bill Elliott could have been in that 21 car at Daytona this past year. No overly ill feelings towards the Woods are Bayne but we all know that car was prepped and readied by Bill. That was his car that won that race and his work that won that race. Sure do miss seeing him at the track. I’m actually surprised out how non-interested I am in the sport when he isn’t on the track. I do enjoy keeping up with Chase though. I hope you guys had a great Christmas.
How cool would it be to see Bill sign a 2 year deal with petty and drive the 43 car? would be awesome
Potential Nascar sponsors want a 20 year old driver instead of a mid 50′s driver. Not too smart on their part when Bill can run circles around any of the new talent other than maybe Chase.
I hope Bill stays away and Nascar popularity tanks even more. Then maybe everyone one will wake up and realize that the older generation and their fans have alot to offer (money).
Until then best of luck to Chase, you are being mentored by the BEST!!!!!!!!!
Live in Oneida NY Rick.. If you’ve been watching the emails I brought back a Super Coupe in the fall from near Chicago. It was one of the 50 sold from Bills dealership in 1993. Bought it for show..