It would be an understatement to say that Sunday’s Snowball Derby was the strangest and wildest of all the 43 big races. The race was ultimately won by 18 year old Johanna Long after she knocked NASCAR racer Landon Cassell out of the way 2 laps from the end. The “end” of the race did not occur as scheduled, as the initial green-white-checker finish could not be completed without multiple crashes.  The Derby has a special rule (never before used) that the race must end under 5 green flag laps. It took several laps longer than the scheduled 300 laps to complete the crashfest. Of the 37 Super Late Models which took the green flag, only 11 cars (some limping) were on the track when the checkered flag flew.

Grant qualified 5th for the Derby and was confident he had the best car he had ever brought to Pensacola. The Bragg Racing/GARC chassis was near perfect in testing and qualifying. When the race began Sunday, Grant dropped back a few positions, not because the car wasn’t good, but he had planned to conserve his tires and not race wildly until later in the contest. He was in 8th place when the leaders came in for the first pit stop. The pit stop was the worst tire change he had ever experienced. The crew was so slow changing 4 tires that Grant went from 8th place to 26th. To make things worse, Grant noted a vibration in the turns after getting back to full speed. Grant asked on the radio if the crew was sure that all wheel lug nuts were tight, he was assured everything was fine. Grant was not satisfied and returned to the pits for all lugs to be torqued. He went back on to the track in 29th position.
 
Grant steadily advanced, dodging multiple wrecks and passing cars. The next pit stop went well and Grant resumed moving through the field. By lap 239, Grant had moved to 3rd position and was clearly faster than the 2 cars ahead of him. “We were in great position as far as tire strategy. We had another set of tires in the pits and I could have set sail once I passed the 2 slower cars ahead of me.” Unfortunately, the 2nd place car was driven by veteran racer Mike Garvey who had hit many cars that day. Grant went down under Garvey in turn 2 and was to his door when Garvey turned left into Grant to block the pass. Grant spun, hit the inside wall and the radiator was punctured, ending his race day with a 20th place finish.  During an interview on Speed51.com radio, Grant commented “I have always respected Mike Garvey. I have a little less respect for him today. However, that is what happens in racing.” While it didn’t make Grant feel any better, many top contenders were crashed out of the race before Grant, including Cup racer David Ragan, pole sitter Cale Gale and 2 time Derby winner Augie Grille.
 
A full description of the wild race, and a rundown of the finishing order can be found at www.Speed51.com .