Need for Speed: A Deep Dive into Pensacola's Thriving Auto Racing Culture
Since 1953, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola has been synonymous with adrenaline-fueled excitement, echoing the thunderous legacy left by racing legend Herb Thomas in his Fabulous Hudson Hornet to win the Grand National race – now the NASCAR Cup Series.
While NASCAR is famous for its Days of Thunder, Five Flags Speedway politely says, “Hold my beer.” As the sun sets over the Beulah community of Pensacola, Friday nights transform into a symphony of roaring engines and screeching tires under the brilliance of the Friday night lights.
The 56th running of the Snowball Derby on Sunday, Dec. 3, promises fierce competition, with over 50 drivers vying for a coveted spot on the starting grid. Drivers power around the steep, 16-degree banked turns in numerous race classes, including the top-end Late Models.
Among the diverse pool of talent, international racers like Andrik Dimayuga from Mexico and Canadian Cole Butcher from Nova Scotia add a global flavor to the event. The road to the Snowball Derby is paved with qualifying races, where the fastest 30 cars secure their positions. Additional drama unfolds in the last-chance qualifying races on December 2, with four more drivers earning their way into the main event. Two additional drivers, champions of the Blizzard and Southern Super Series, also join the field as provisional starters.
For many drivers, the Snowball Derby is not just a race; it's a stepping stone to the NASCAR series. The list of Snowball Derby alumni who have made their mark in NASCAR's top three touring series includes luminaries like Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Noah Gragson, and Daniel Hemric.
Five Flags is an extremely fast track, credited to its oval layout and steeply banked turns. The current track record for Super Late Models is 16.120 seconds, set by Ty Majeski in qualifying for the 2015 Snowball Derby. The quest for speed and glory continues to drive racers to this iconic track, fueled by the dreams of reaching NASCAR stardom.
Racing with Rusty
Auto Clubs, Drifting and Cruising… Oh My!
The Gulf Coast Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) hosts periodic 2-day Autocross events, pushing drivers to their limits on the inner road of the Five Flags track with special courses set to test drivers’ skills and compare lap times.
The art of drifting, born from racing history and now immortalized by the “Fast and the Furious” movie series, finds a home at Five Flags Speedway thanks to the North Florida Drift Federation,offering drivers a safe space to hone their skills and indulge in the joy of tire-smoking turns. Drifters these days have learned it’s just plain fun — in the right setting.
In the world of custom cars, Pensacola's Octane and Exotics group provides a platform for owners to gather, compete, and cruise. Events like Rolling by the Bay at the Downtown Pensacola Community Maritime Park showcase the wild, imaginative designs of automotive enthusiasts, turning the city into a canvas for automotive artistry.
Pensacola's auto sports culture continues to grow, fueled by the passion of racers and fans alike. The legacy of Five Flags Speedway lives on, a testament to the enduring spirit of speed and competition in the heart of Florida.
