During a weekend when a 30-year-old captured the Snowball Derby and a 48-year-old claimed the pole, it might have been tempting to call it a triumph of experience over youth. But that narrative doesn’t hold up. If anything, this year’s Snowball Derby proved that the sport’s next generation has already arrived.

From established prospects to breakout performers, young drivers made their presence impossible to ignore at Five Flags Speedway. Here are several rising stars poised to shape Snowball Derby history in the years ahead:

Cole Butcher

Few drivers were as dominant at Five Flags Speedway in 2025 as Butcher, who won three Deep South Crane Blizzard Series races and the track championship. Bad luck spoiled his Derby bid, but the ASA STARS National Tour and Southern Super Series champion remains a perennial contender as he searches for the right December formula.

Cole Robie

Another promising New England prospect, Robie delivered a solid showing in the Snowflake 125. His development suggests he may become a regular contender.

Dawson Sutton

Fresh off an All American 400 victory, Tennessee’s Dawson Sutton arrived in Pensacola with major momentum and nearly left with the Tom Dawson Trophy. His runner-up finish reinforced that he will be a force in the Derby for years to come.

Gavan Boschele

After starting at the tail of the field, Boschele steadily made his way towards the front and was battling for a podium finish late in the race before contact with Dustin Smith derailed his efforts. The rising star will be one to keep an eye on when he returns to Pensacola. 

Haeden Plybon

In his third Derby appearance, Plybon made plenty of noise — scoring his first top-10 finish, completing all 300 laps, and competing in the Snowflake 100. The Washington native continues to elevate the Pacific Northwest’s presence at Pensacola.

Jade Avedisian

The Snowball Derby has featured several talented female drivers over the years, but none have won the Snowflake 125. Avedisian could change that. After a 2025 season full of laps and victories, she’s positioned for even greater success in 2026.

Jake Finch

At only 20 years old, Finch already has five Snowball Derby starts. This year’s fifth-place run was his best yet, suggesting he may soon return the Finch name to Pensacola victory lane.

Jake Garcia

Balancing a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule with Super Late Models is no small task, yet Garcia continues to build an elite résumé. His podium in the 2025 Derby was his second, and he added a World Crown 300 win in October.

Kaden Honeycutt

Honeycutt couldn’t repeat last year’s Snowball Derby triumph, but his weekend was still productive. He led laps in the Snowflake 100 and won the Modified feature, adding to an already impressive Derby résumé. At just 22 — with three Snowball weekend wins — Honeycutt’s trajectory remains steep.

Kasey Kleyn

In his first official Snowball Derby start, 17-year-old Kasey Kleyn proved he belonged among the nation’s best with a fourth-place finish. The Quincy, Washington, driver earned top-rookie honors, securing the best debut run since Travis Braden’s 2019 victory.

Keelan Harvick

Few drivers leave their first Snowball Derby weekend carrying hardware, but Harvick accomplished just that. He won the Snowflake 125 in dramatic fashion and earned a surge of new fans. He’s likely one year away from his Derby debut — and expectations are already rising.

Luke Baldwin

The SMART Modified Tour champion proved he’s equally capable in fendered cars, scoring a pole and a fifth-place finish. A Snowball Derby start in the near future seems likely.

Sylas Ripley

Ripley arrived in Pensacola with strong runs in the Oxford 250 — fourth and seventh — already on his resume. He gained valuable experience throughout the Snowball weekend and is poised for another leap next season.

Tristian McKee

A runner-up finish in his first Snowflake was impressive on its own, but McKee followed it by earning his first Snowball start the next day. It marked a major step forward in a year defined by growth.

Ty Fredrickson

An eighth-place finish might typically earn top-rookie honors, but this year’s group was exceptionally deep. Still, Fredrickson impressed by running all 300 laps and battling competitively with some of the sport’s biggest names. Expect the Minnesota driver to return stronger.

The Unknowns

No list can capture every future star. Years from now, someone will inevitably look back and wonder how a now-household name didn’t make this group. That’s part of the Snowball Derby’s magic: new talent emerges every year, and the next breakthrough is always just around the corner.