As the Snowball Derby heads into another chapter, it’s worth rewinding to the very beginning and exploring a different version of its history. What would the record books look like if the race winner had never factored into the finish—and the second-place driver was credited with the victory instead? Who would gain the most from this alternate universe? Here’s what the Derby’s past might have looked like through that lens.

For this analysis, we’re relying solely on the official finishing order. 

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If we reset the clock and replay the Snowball Derby from the very beginning—only this time awarding the win to the runner-up—you’d find Bobby Allison standing in victory lane after the inaugural event. The Niedecken family remains deeply respected in Pensacola racing lore, but there’s something fitting about an Allison becoming the Derby’s first official winner in this alternate history.

In 1969, Jerry Lawley would claim the trophy, followed by Dennis Rewis in 1970, both outcomes that likely would’ve thrilled the local crowd. Familiar names would then rise sooner than expected: Freddy Fryar in 1971 and Darrell Waltrip in 1972 would each notch Derby victories earlier in their careers than history remembers.

Larry Phillips would stand atop the 1973 Derby, and while the race wasn’t tied to NASCAR at the time, a win of that magnitude might have strengthened his case for Hall of Fame consideration. The following two years, 1974 and ’75, would see Pensacola’s Dickie Davis become the first repeat winner—unchanged from reality in one sense, but arriving even earlier in this hypothetical timeline.

Harry Gant would carve his place into Derby history in 1976. Buck Simmons would then become the first Georgian to take the crown in 1977. Mark Martin would claim the 1978 title, pairing it with his first ASA championship that same year.

Rusty Wallace, who famously came close in real life, would earn the 1979 win—the last big prize that eluded him before his NASCAR ascent. In 1980, Jody Ridley would secure a Derby victory five years ahead of his lone NASCAR Cup win.

Jerry Lawley becomes a two-time winner in 1981, and Freddy Fryar joins the club in 1982, mirroring Dickie Davis in scoring his second Derby win just one year later. Ridley would add another in 1983, becoming a two-time champion as well.

Butch Miller picks up his first Snowball Derby win in 1984 and adds a second in 1986. With two Derby titles on his résumé by then, one can only imagine the NASCAR opportunities that might have opened. Rusty Wallace would take his second Derby victory in 1985—both coming before his first Cup Series win—a twist that could have shaped his career differently.

In 1987, already memorable in reality, the alternate version becomes even more poetic: Red Farmer finally wins the Derby in what would have been his 20th start. Rick Crawford earns the 1988 victory, and Rich Bickle becomes a rookie Derby winner in 1989.

Then comes one of the more emotional turns: Junior Niedecken would win the 1990 Snowball Derby, a fitting tribute to his father, a two-time Derby champion in 1968 and 1970.

Jeff Purvis would score back-to-back titles in 1991 and ’92 following dominant performances. Butch Miller, under this scenario, collects his third Derby win in 1993—the first driver to reach that milestone.

Eddie Mercer would electrify the Pensacola crowd with wins in 1994 and ’97. Perhaps a pair of early victories would have pushed him to race more frequently beyond his home track. Rick Crawford tallies a second Derby win in 1995, and Darrell Brown captures the 1996 trophy—a feel-good result for many longtime fans.

Gary St. Amant claims the 1998 Derby, followed by Scott Hansen in 1999. Jody Ridley earns his third win in 2000, cementing his legacy as one of the Derby’s greats.

In 2001, the race produces one of the biggest upsets in this alternate timeline as Johnny Henderson claims the victory. Rich Bickle adds a second win in 2002, and Gary St. Amant becomes a two-time winner in 2003.

By 2004, Eddie Mercer would be celebrating his third Snowball Derby win—perhaps matching what he once believed his career résumé should have reflected. Steve Wallace was credited with the 2004 Snowball Derby victory, which under this scenario turns into back-to-back wins in 2005 and ’06.

Matt Hawkins earns the 2007 win, while Grant Enfinger takes the 2008 Derby. Eddie Mercer scores his fourth and final victory in 2009, making him the most successful driver in this alternate history.

Donnie Wilson appears atop the results in 2010, followed by DJ VanderLey in 2011. Jeff Choquette wins his first Derby in 2012 before adding a second in 2017.

Enfinger collects his second in 2013. Dalton Sargeant becomes the surprise 2014 winner, and Zane Smith keeps the upsets coming with a 2015 triumph. John Hunter Nemechek takes the 2016 win, and Ty Majeski secures his first Derby victory in 2018. Jake Garcia wins the Snowball Derby as a raw rookie in 2019.

The Derek Thorn era begins with consecutive wins in 2020 and ’21, followed by Sammy Smith and Gio Ruggiero taking the 2022 and 2023 editions.

And in 2024, Stephen Nasse—after charging from the rear of the field—would finally add his name to the list as an alternate-universe Snowball Derby champion.

It’s a fascinating glimpse at how dramatically the Snowball Derby record book could shift with just one subtle change. The only question now: who will add their name to the real list this December?

Festivities at Five Flags Speedway get underway on Wednesday, December 3 with the annual parking of the haulers and pit party. Late Model teams, both Pro and Super Late Model, will draw for qualifying positions at the stage on the front stretch. 

Thursday will see the first on-track action of the busy weekend when the Super Late Models and the Pro Late Models hit the track for a full morning and afternoon of practice. Later that night the Sportsman, Pure Stocks, and Pro Trucks will take to the track for their feature events.  

Fast Friday will see more practice for the Super Late Models and the Pro Late Models leading up to time trials for the 58th Annual Snowball Derby at 6 p.m. CT. The top 30 drivers will lock themselves into the field for Sunday’s main event. The nightcap will feature the Modifieds of Mayhem 75, plus a 25 Lap Crown Stock Invitational.  

Saturday is by far the busiest day at the track with practice in the morning for the Late Models before the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 cars take to the track in the mid-afternoon. Following time trials the last chance races for the Snowflake 125 and the 58th Annual Snowball Derby will occur. The 22nd Annual Allen Turner Snowflake 100 will be followed by a feature race for the Outlaw Division.

It all leads up to Sunday, the 58th running of the Snowball Derby. Green flag will be at 1 p.m. CT for the 300-lap Super Late Model event.  

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