Pensacola, FL – As part of the 56th Running of the Snowball Derby for Super Late Models this weekend at 5 Flags Speedway, the annual Allen Turner Snowflake 100 for the Pro Late Models is also scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 2nd. As part of the nearly 70 cars entered to attempt to make the field, several drivers with ties to the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance are in Florida with dreams of 5 Flags Speedway success.
The 2023 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Champion, Chase Burda will attempt to make his first Snowflake 100 field this weekend. The Lapeer, Michigan native who strung together four wins this season with the JEGS Tour found success on big stages with wins at Winchester Speedway, including the Pro Late Model event on Winchester 400 weekend, and the biggest win of his career, the $10,000 to win Masters of the Pros 184. Burda’s trip south closely follows his latest outing on a big stage weekend when he raced inside the top five all night during the All American 100 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Burda says he and his team are confident in their Vandoorn Racing Development Pro Late Model. Participating in the Snowball Derby weekend was on the 18 year old’s bucket list, an item he will be able to put a check mark next to by Monday morning. Now, Burda is trying to keep expectations in check about the weekend.
“My goal is to make the show,” Burda said. “From there, we’ll see what happens. I know I have the best team and they will give me a good car, so I just need to drive [it] to the front,” Burda finished.
Joining Burda in competition this weekend for the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 is Chelsea, Michigan native, Chris Munson. Also a tall task on his racing bucket list, Munson unloaded his No.3 machine along with the help of former JEGS Tour winner, Jon Beach. According to Beach, their trip to 5 Flags Speedway is purely about the experience and to say they’ve done it. Munson, however, has shown speed after nearly winning the Winchester Speedway New Stars event for the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman.
The Michigan region of the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour field also has representation from one of the nation’s most well known chassis builders, Terry Senneker. The native of Wayland, Michigan and the namesake behind Senneker Performance has his No.18 car unloaded and was 14th fastest overall after yesterday’s practice sessions.
The Super Late Model field for the 56th Snowball Derby has JEGS Tour flavor as well. News broke over the weekend that Burda will field a car in the Snowball Derby, something they didn’t believe would happen after the crash in Nashville.
“Brandon Oakley Racing was looking for someone to test his chassis,” Burda explained. “We decided to take the chance and run it and are looking forward to trying out the new BOR chassis.”
Billy VanMeter and his Vandoorn Racing Development team bring down a host of people who moonlight as racecar drivers with the JEGS Tour throughout the season. VanMeter will send the driver of the red and white No.22, Jimmy Tucker into the spotterstand once again this weekend. Tucker has been the “eye in the sky” for VanMeter throughout the duration of the year, including during the ASA STARS National Tour. Helping turn the wrenches on the No.23 are Ethan Stadniczuk, who captured his first outright JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour win this season at Birch Run Speedway and Event Center; plus David Liaeff who also posted his best career JEGS Tour finish (3rd) at Birch Run in September.
Several other drivers with ties to the Champion Racing Association organization are also down in Florida including but not limited to NASCAR drivers, Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar, who cut their teeth in the JEGS Tour. William Sawalich, a former Glass City 200 and Winchester Speedway winner; former Masters of the Pros winner, Matt Craig; and former ASA/CRA Super Series Champion, Eddie VanMeter.
Fans who can’t make the trip but want to watch the 56th Snowball Derby weekend can find the weekend available on Pay-Per-View through RacingAmerica.TV. Additional details regarding the 2024 schedule for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance will be announced in the coming weeks. The 2023 season awards will be handed out at the annual awards ceremony on Friday, January 5th. For more information on Champion Racing Association onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on Twitter.
