NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Wraps-Up

Thorn Wins Championship / Kraus Wins Race / Deegan with Pole and ROY Honors

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West completed its 2018 season under the lights Saturday night at Kern County Raceway Park with the ‘NAPA AUTO PARTS 175 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.’

Derek Thorn – 2018 K&N Pro Series Champion

After four years away from full-time action in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Derek Thorn came back to the Sunrise Ford team to chase a championship.

With just one race left on the schedule, the Lakeport, California, driver found himself in the exact position he was hoping he would be in. Thorn entered last night’s race leading the championship standings by 26 points.

Derek Thorn Marches To Second K&N Pro West Championship#KNWest RACE RECAP: https://t.co/lwX4GlTGpX pic.twitter.com/ycMaxNZZ1V

— NASCAR Regional & Local Series (@NASCARHomeTrack) October 28, 2018

The forty points he earned after finishing fifth yesterday was more than he needed.

The five year hiatus we had, the guys have come a long way in the shop,” Thorn said. “There were some races we were competing for wins, and some we were competing just to finish in the top five. To keep a championship hope alive, you have be able to capitalize on every opportunity, and make the most of the bad days.”

The thirty-two-year-old Lakeport, California driver won his first championship in 2013. Impressively, in his three full-time seasons, Thorn can boast of two championships and a third-place series finish.

***********

Derek Kraus Wins the ‘NAPA AUTO PARTS 175 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.’

Derek Kraus, just seventeen, won the season-finale, grabbing his fourth win and sweeping the two races at the California oval. The victory was the fifth consecutive at Kern for the No. 16 out of the Bill McAnally Racing stable — with Kraus winning the last three and former champion Todd Gilliland winning the two previous events.

What a year @BMR_NASCAR brought me a great car each and every race! Had a lot of ups and downs but finished off the year with a win! Thank you @ToyotaRacing and @NAPARacing for all you’re help!! pic.twitter.com/cLJMUCU2Wh

— Derek Kraus (@derek9kraus) October 28, 2018

He sweeps this years events @KernRaceway and ends the season with a 🏁.@derek9kraus wins the #NAPA175. pic.twitter.com/l2TgIfSNU3

— NASCAR Regional & Local Series (@NASCARHomeTrack) October 28, 2018

***********

Hailie Deegan Making NASCAR History

Hallie Deegan, who drives the No. 19 Mobil 1 / NAPA Power Premium Plus Toyota Camry had a record-setting season. The 17-year-old – who hails from Temecula, California – made history this year in by becoming the first female driver to win a series race and the first woman to win a pole award in the series. Yesterday’s pole proved that her success was not just a ‘fluke.’

With two laps remaining last night, Deegan suffered contacting with another competitor fighting for third. She would have to settle for a six-place finish. However, she took the coveted ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award with one win, five top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes.

DUDE.@HailieDeegan collects her second #KNWest pole tonight here @KernRaceway.

She will lead the field to green in tonight’s #NAPA175. You don’t want to miss this interview. 👇🏼👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/bNKsjkvqBM

— NASCAR Regional & Local Series (@NASCARHomeTrack) October 28, 2018

Congrats to @HailieDeegan on winning the #KNWest Rookie of the Year Award for 2018. #historymakingseason #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/XJQ5bOpygH

— Bill McAnally Racing (@BMR_NASCAR) October 28, 2018

Kraus and Deegan are both members of the NASCAR Next program that spotlights NASCAR’s rising stars. The finished fourth and fifth in the championship points standings respectively.

KNWest Final Championship Standings

	Driver	Races	Win	Points	Diff
1	Derek Thorn	14	2	586
2	Ryan Partridge	14	1	559	-27
3	Cole Rouse	14	1	557	-29
4	Derek Kraus	14	4	543	-43
5	Hailie Deegan	14	1	514	-72
6	Trevor Huddleston	14	0	504	-82
7	Kody Vanderwal	14	2	479	-107
8	Matt Levin	13	0	426	-160
9	Takuma Koga	14	0	399	-187
10	Todd Souza	9	0	272	-314
11	Bill Kann	8	0	258	-328
12	Will Rodgers	7	1	230	-356
13	Rich DeLong III	6	0	168	-418
14	Ron Norman	5	0	160	-426
15	Jesse Iwuji	6	0	156	-430
16	Travis Milburn	5	0	149	-437
17	Vanessa Robinson	4	0	143	-443
18	Devin Dodson	4	0	142	-444
19	Nick Joanides	4	0	139	-447
20	Cole Keatts	3	0	113	-473

Thorn, Kraus, and Deegan and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West top finishers and special award winners will be honored at NASCAR Awards Charlotte on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.

Kern County KNWest Race Results

Fin	St	#	Driver	Car	Laps
1	2	16	Derek Kraus	Toyota	175
2	3	9	Ryan Partridge	Ford	175
3	6	22	Trevor Huddleston *	Ford	175
4	4	17	David Mayhew	Chevrolet	175
5	7	6	Derek Thorn	Ford	175
6	1	19	Hailie Deegan *	Toyota	175
7	5	99	Cole Rouse	Toyota	175
8	8	43	Kody Vanderwal	Ford	175
9	9	13	Todd Souza	Toyota	175
10	10	10	Matt Levin	Chevrolet	174
11	14	18	Bill Kann	Chevrolet	172
12	15	11	Takuma Koga	Chevrolet	168
13	13	77	Nick Joanides	Toyota	167
14	17	36	Taylor Canfield *	Ford	167
15	11	40	Ron Norman	Chevrolet	165
16	16	84	Rich DeLong III	Chevrolet	137
17	12	8	Travis Milburn	Toyota	31
18	18	39	Keith McGee *	Toyota	16

Source: https://hometracks.nascar.com

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William Byron Takes Pole for 49th Annual Snowball Derby

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) Driver On Top

The full-time NASCAR driver, William Byron  successfully headed to his pits as the official polesitter for the 49th annual Snowball Derby on Sunday. Byron, a seven-time winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this year, stood head and shoulders above a group of 56 other cars in short-track racing’s most exciting two laps.

“It’s a good feeling. I was just hoping we could get through ‘tech’ and celebrate,” Byron said with a smile on his face. “This was just a great job done by this team and I’m looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”

Byron, a Charlotte, N.C., area driver, posted a fast lap of 16.201 seconds, which was less than a tenth off the track record that was set by Ty Majeski at last year’s Snowball Derby.

The last driver to win the Derby from the pole came in 2005 when local hero Eddie Mercer ended his long quest and finally hoisted the Tom Dawson trophy.

Although engine issues dropped him out of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) chase; Byron started the last race of the 2016 season from the pole for the second-consecutive week. He pulled away from the field for the final 10 laps and crossed the finish line 2.175 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. It will be exciting to see if his hot streak survives this Short Track challenge.

The win gave KBM its fourth consecutive and fifth all-time NCWTS owner championship. KBM is the first team in NCWTS history to win four-consecutive owner championships and has the most owner titles of any other team.

  Use #SnowballDerby to Follow & Interact About Snowball Derby

49th Annual Snowball Derby

Qualifying Results for the Top 30

• Friday at Five Flags Speedway
• Track Record—16.120 (Ty Majeski, Derby 2015)

1. 9B William Byron, Charlotte, NC, 16.201
2. 91 Ty Majeski, Seymour, WI, 16.241
3. 29 Spencer Davis, Dawsonville, GA, 16.247
4. 26 Bubba Pollard, Senoia, GA, 16.257
5. 4 Kyle Plott, Marietta, GA, 16.282
6. 51 Christopher Bell, Norman, OK, 16.308
7. 5G Noah Gragson, Las Vegas, 16.318
8. 7 Casey Roderick, Lawrenceville, GA, 16.319
9. 07 Corey Lajoie, Cornelius, NC, 16.326
10. 97 Cole Anderson, Northfield, MN, 16.327
11. 3 Kaz Grala, Westbrough, MA, 16.363
12. 15 Christian Eckes, Cornelius, NC, 16.366
13. 9 Jeff Choquette, West Palm Beach, 16.394
14. 14 Chris Davidson, Pearland, TX, 16.403
15. 67 Clay Jones, Mooresville, NC, 16.404
16. 16 Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, NC, 16.417
17. 12 Harrison Burton, Huntersville, NC, 16.425
18. 43T Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, CA, 16.429
19. 5 Jerry Artuso, Sault Ste Marie, ONT, 16.433
20. 8 John Hunter Nemechek, Mooresville, NC, 16.442
21. 98 Daniel Hemric, Mooresville, NC, 16.446
22. 42 Chad Finley, Dewitt, MI, 16.448
23. 2W Donnie Wilson, OKC, OK, 16.451
24. 83 Scotty Ellis, Forsyth, GA, 16.457
25. 77 Zane Smith, Huntington Beach, CA, 16.460
26. 26S Chandler Smith, Jasper, GA, 16.468
27. 99 Casey Smith, Austin, TX, 16.472
28. 82 Grant Enfinger, Montrose, AL, 16.474
29. 112 Augie Grill, Hayden, AL, 16.484
30. 01 Derek Scott, Franklin, TX, 16.496

The fastest thirty times will be locked into the feature. The remaining cars will run in a Qualifying Race, with the top four finishers advancing to the feature.

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1. Monster Energy To Sponsor NASCAR's Top Series Starting In 2017
2. The 49th Snowball Derby Past Winners
3. Short Track Champions and Winners Make Up Deep Snowball Field
4. 49th Annual Snowball Derby Entry List
5. 49th Annual Snowball Derby Live

Short Track Champions and Winners Make Up Deep Snowball Field

#SnowballDerby The cast of drivers for the 49th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida is as deep as ever. It’s full of youth and experience as nearly 70 drivers chase the Tom Dawson Trophy. Looking over each drivers resume we find winners, champions and short track heroes from all stretches of North America. Here is a look at the best of the best from this year.

Series champions from all regions are well represented. From the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series, champion Derek Thorn is making a return to the Snowball Derby. Northwest Super Late Model Series Champion Garrett Evans also filed an entry, but will be unable to make the trip.

Also from the west, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West title holder Todd Gilliland will be on hand. Canadian driver Raphael Lessard who won the CARS Super Late Model title will visit Pensacola. Donnie Wilson who captured the Southern Super Series crown will again be at Five Flags looking to better his runner-up finish from 2010. 

The @DGR_Racing is officially Snowball Derby bound! #TheyAllHumorMeWithPictures #GonnaBeALongNight pic.twitter.com/BdgTXNRGD5

— Michelle Gilliland (@MrsDGilly) November 25, 2016

One of the hottest drivers in recent memory, Ty Majeski comes to town looking to complete his Snowball Derby magic that left him third a year go. Majeski won the New Smyrna World Series Super Late Model title at Speedweeks, the ARCA Midwest Tour title for the third year in a row and the Florida Governor’s Cup 200.

Big race winners will also flock to the Snowball Derby as well as Dick Trickle 99 winner Dan Fredrickson will return to the Derby. Red-Eye 100 winner Cole Anderson will look to bookend the season with a win after winning the season’s first race. Christian Eckes won last weeks Myrtle Beach 400 in a Late Model Stock Car and will head to Pensacola as well. All American 400 winner Bubba Pollard will look to grab his second major of the season at the Snowball Derby.

Track champions are well represented from the Five Flags season. Two-time and defending Blizzard Series champion Casey Roderick is in the field looking for his first Snowball Derby win. Also this year’s track Pro Late Model champion Bret Holmes will mix it up in the Super Late Model ranks.

PURCHASE THE SPEED51 TV SNOWBALL DERBY PPV HERE

Also in the field are former winners John Hunter Nemechek, Clay Rogers and two-time winner Augie Grill. All three will be in contention for another victory.

There are several other champions from other years in the mix, but all these honors just proves this is the deepest Super Late Model field out there.

The 49th Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off on Wednesday, November 30 with the Cat Country/WEAR TV3 Green Flag Pit Party and Qualifying Order Draw Down.

Thursday, December 1 will see the Super Late Models take to the track for the first official Snowball Derby practice. The night will be highlighted by a 30-lap race for the Butler U-Pull-It Bombers and a 50-lap event for the Dock on the Beach Sportsmen division.

The top Snowball Derby starting spots will be set on Friday, December 2 during NASH FM 102.7 Pole Night. The Faith Chapel Super Stocks and the Modifieds will each run 50-lap features.

The Pro Late Models take center stage on Saturday, December 3 for the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100. The 50-lap Last Chance Qualifier for the Snowball Derby and a 50-lap feature for the Beef O’Brady’s Pro Truck division will also run on Saturday night.

Then on Sunday, December 4 the green flag will fly over the 49th Annual Snowball Derby. The 300-lap race will begin at 2 p.m. CT.

For more information on the 49th Annual Snowball Derby weekend at Five Flags Speedway, visit www.snowballderby.com. All media credential requests and inquiries for the Snowball Derby can be sent to Pat Bryant at Pat@SnowballDerby.com.

Race fans unable to make their way to Pensacola, Florida during Snowball Derby week will be able to watch all of the racing action live on Speed51.com. Four-day video tickets are now available at a savings of $20. Visit Speed51.com today for more information.

Source

-By Elgin Traylor, Speed51.com Contributor

-Photo Credit: Speed51.com

It's never the off season for weather will cover #NASCAR Champion's Week @LVMotorSpeedway & #SnowballDerby @5FlagsSpeedway

— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) November 21, 2016

49th Annual Snowball Derby Live

Pay-Per-View Broadcast on Speed51.com

Race fans, mark this date on your calendar: December 4, 2016.  Make sure that your only plans that day are to either be at Five Flags Speedway (FL) for the 49^th Annual Snowball Derby or to be on your couch watching a live signature video broadcast of the prestigious short track race on Speed51.com.

For the third consecutive year, the Snowball Derby will be available worldwide via a live, pay-per-view broadcast on Speed51.com.   Race fans unable to make it to the Pensacola, Florida area will have the opportunity to follow four days of racing action beginning Thursday and ending Sunday with a television-style broadcast of the 300-lap Super Late Model main event.

“We realize that not everyone can make it to Pensacola the first weekend of December, and the Speed51 TV broadcast provides the perfect platform for them to still enjoy the events,” said Tim Bryant, Promoter of Five Flags Speedway and the Snowball Derby.  “Any apprehensions we may have had about live coverage of the race, certainly went out the window when we heard stories from people around the country who hosted ‘Super Bowl-type’ parties for the Derby.”

The live broadcast of the 49^th Annual Snowball Derby will bring fans closer to the action than ever with up to 10 camera angles during the biggest races of the weekend, an in-house broadcast team including pit reporters with more driver interviews than ever before.  The broadcast will also feature enhanced video features and graphical elements.

“We’ve been working hard on the pre-production of this for a couple of months.  This is the Super Bowl of Short Track Late Model racing; an end of the season ‘go-for-it-all’ style of race and we hope to capture some of what the event is about for those that watch our broadcast from all over the map,” said Bob Dillner, Executive Editor for Speed51.com powered by JEGS.  “There is no way to create the feel of actually being at the Snowball Derby; it’s a bucket list event, but we have a lot of new things to debut in our broadcasts of all four days.”

Speed51.com’s live broadcast of the 2016 Snowball Derby will begin on Thursday with a live two-hour broadcast of Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100 practice beginning at 2 p.m. CT.  Those who purchase Thursday’s live video ticket or a four-day video package will be able to watch a replay of that practice session on-demand after its completion.

51’s cameras will start rolling again later in the night on Thursday as the grassroots racers in the Bomber and Sportsman divisions put on a show during their features at Five Flags Speedway.

Friday’s broadcast will be highlighted by the always-intense Snowball Derby qualifying.  With nearly 70 drivers expected, only 30 of those drivers will lock into the big race. The live broadcast on Friday night will also include 50-lap features for the Super Stocks and Modifieds.

On Saturday, Speed51.com will go live at 2 p.m. CT for Snowflake 100 qualifying, as well as Snowflake and Snowball Derby last chance qualifiers.  The night will be headlined by the biggest Pro Late Model race in the country, the Snowflake 100 at 7 p.m. CT.  In addition, the 50-lap Pro Truck feature will also be broadcast live for those at home.

Sunday afternoon will feature a television-style broadcast of the 49^th Annual Snowball Derby, including a two-hour pre-race show beginning at 12 p.m. CT leading up to pre-race ceremonies and the green flag.  The live broadcast will bring you behind the scenes with live pit reports, in-car communication with drivers and more.

Racing fans can purchase a four-day live video package for just $69.99.  Daily packages are available, however, the four-day video tickets offers fans a savings of $20.

If you’re unable to watch all four days of racing, an individual video ticket to watch Sunday’s 300-lap Snowball Derby is available for $29.99.  Saturday’s broadcast of the Snowflake 100 and more can be purchased for $24.99.

A video ticket to watch the always-intense Snowball Derby qualifying and feature races on Friday is $19.99, while Thursday’s broadcast of practice and features can be purchased for $14.99.

Live video tickets can be purchased today
by clicking here.

The 49th Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off on Wednesday, November 30 with the Cat Country/WEAR TV3 Green Flag Pit Party and Qualifying Order Draw Down.

Thursday, December 1 will see the Super Late Models take to the track for the first official Snowball Derby practice.  The night will be highlighted by a 30-lap race for the Butler U-Pull-It Bombers and a 50-lap event for the Dock on the Beach Sportsmen division.

The top Snowball Derby starting spots will be set on Friday, December 2 during NASH FM 102.7 Pole Night.  The Faith Chapel Super Stocks and the Modifieds will each run 50-lap features.

The Pro Late Models take center stage on Saturday, December 3 for the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100. The 50-lap Last Chance Qualifier for the Snowball Derby and a 50-lap feature for the Beef O’Brady’s Pro Truck division will also run on Saturday night.

Then on Sunday, December 4 the green flag will fly over the 49th Annual Snowball Derby. The 300-lap race will begin at 2 p.m. CT.

For more information on the 49th Annual Snowball Derby weekend at Five Flags Speedway, visit www.snowballderby.com. All media credential requests and inquiries for the Snowball Derby can be sent to Pat Bryant at Pat@SnowballDerby.com.  

51 Sports/Snowball Derby Press Release

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Snowball Derby - Impressive Entry List

Are you missing #NASCAR?

2014 Nationwide Champion, Chase Elliott won the 2011 Snowball Derby at
Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. (The Birmingham News/Doug Demmons)

The Snowball Derby is one of the most prestigious asphalt short track racing event in the United States. This competition is a 300-lap race for Super Late Models. The feature will see the checkered flag on 12/07/2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Five Flags Speedway (FFS) in Pensacola.

The 47th Snowball Derby has an very impressive entry list:

Snowball Derby Entry List        

Car No.	Driver	Location
01	Travis Braden	Wheeling, WV
1	Tim Martin	Amite, LA
05	Bayley Currey	Driftwood, TX
07	Corey LaJoie	Cornelius, NC
1	Mike Garvey	Pensacola, Fl
10	Steve Dorer	Lakeland, FL
11	David Rogers	Orlando, FL
11	Logan Boyett	Pensacola, FL
112	Augie Grill	Hayden, AL
12	Garrett Campbell	Asheboro, NC
12	Charles Price	Ontario, CA
12	Harrison Burton	Huntersville, NC
129	Spencer Davis	Dahlonega, GA
16	Jacob Gomes	Manteca, CA
18	Hunter Robbins	Shorter, AL
2	D J Vanderley	Mobile, AL
2	Clay Rogers	Troutman, NC
2 w	Donnie Wilson	Oklahoma City, OK
2	Spencer Gallagher	Charlotte, NC
21	Johanna Long	Pensacola, FL
22	Jeremy Pate	Pensacola, FL
22	Josh Bragg	Helena, MS
26	Bubba Pollard	Senoia, GA
26	Preston Peltier	Concord, NC
26	Rick Turner	Yorktown, IN
29	Anderson Bowen	Suwanee, GA
29	Jeff Choquette	West Palm Beach, FL
3	Ross Kenseth	Jenison, MI
31	Kyle Grissom	Concord, NC
37	Brian Hoar	Williston, VT
4	Kyle Plott	Marietta, GA
41	TJ Reaid	Acworth, GA
42	Chad Finley	Dewitt, MI
42	Dennis Prunty	Knowles, WI
43	Dennis Schoenfeld	Van Buren, AR
43	Derek Thorn	Bakersfield, CA
45	Dwayne Baggay	Canton, GA
47	Allen Karnes	Sharpsburg, GA
47	Chris Fontaine	Lakeland, FL
47	Jordan Sims	Sault Ste Marie, ON
5	Jerry Artuso	Sault Ste Marie, ON
51	Erik Jones	Byron, MI
51	Stephen Nasse	Pinellas Park, FL
56	Gus Dean	Bluffton, SC
57	Austin Theriault	Fort Kent, ME
57	Cole Timm	Mooresville, NC
5G	Will Gallaher	Santa Rosa, CA
5S	Dalton Sargeant	Boca Raton, FL
67	Clay Jones	Goldsboro, NC
7	Casey Roderick	Lawrenceville, GA
7	Paul Shafer Jr.	Portage, IN
71	Johnny VanDoorn	Coopersville, MI
71	Kyle Benjamin	Easley, SC
79	Kyle Bryant	Navarre, FL
8	John Hunter Nemechek	Mooresville, NC
83	Scotty Ellis	Forsyth, GA
811	Mason Mingus	Brentwood, TN
88	Garrett Jones	Mooresville, NC
88	Roger Reuse	Birmingham, Al
9	Chase Elliott	Dawsonville, GA
9	Mark Kraus	Stratford, WI
91	Ty Majeski	Seymour, WI
91	Zak Hausler	Tomball, TX
95	Derrick Griffin	Indianapolis, IN
96	Benjamin Z. Kennedy	Daytona Beach, FL
98	Daniel Hemric	Kannapolis, NC
99	Casey Smith	Austin, TX
99	J J Haley	Winamac, IN
90	Grant Enfinger	Huntersville, NC
69	TOTAL ENTRIES

2012-2013 Winner Erik Jones hopes to complete the "Hat Trick"
(Photo www.erikjonesracing.com)

Last year, then 17-year-old Erik Jones won his 'second-in-a-row' Snowball, an accomplishment only two other drivers, Augie Grill and Rich Bickle Jr. can claim.  This year, Jones, racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports in car #4, could be the first driver in Snowball history to win three in a row.

“The Snowball Derby is a very special race to me — that first win in 2012 is what really jump-started my career.” Jones stated. “To go back now for the third time and have the chance to become the first driver to win in three consecutive years is just unfathomable. I’ve been able to match some of the records that have been set by other legends in the short track world, but to break one would be the ultimate accomplishment.

NASCAR Race Mom will be rooting for West Boy - SRL Champ Derek Thorn - Go #43!

K&N Pro Series West - 2013 Top Races

The 2013 season featured the inaugural visit by the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
to the beautiful new Kern County Raceway Park and the much-anticipated
return of the series to Bakersfield, Calif. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

NAPA Auto Parts 150, Kern County Raceway Park
Oct. 26: 

The inaugural series visit to Kern County Raceway Park marked the much-anticipated return of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West to Bakersfield, Calif. The first series victory on the new high-banked, half-mile track went to Greg Pursley – who early in his stock car career was a regular competitor in the late model division at Bakersfield’s Mesa Marin Raceway before its closure in 2005.

Casey’s General Stores 150, Iowa Speedway
June 7: 

Michael Self went to Victory Lane at Iowa Speedway in June, becoming the first K&N West driver to take the overall win in the East-West combination race. Self held off K&N East drivers Dylan Kwasniewski and Brett Moffitt in a green-white-checkered finish. It was one of three consecutive wins for Self early in the season.

Carneros 200, Sonoma Raceway
June 22: 

In one of the most dramatic series races at Sonoma Raceway, Thorn moved past Hayley and Self late in the event to capture his first career road course win. Hayley and Self, who had staged a classic battle for the lead, had to settle for second and third, respectively.

Casino Arizona 50, Phoenix Inter. Raceway
Nov. 9: 

A season finale that included a four-way battle to decide the series championship also featured a scuffle between two 15-year-old drivers for the win. Cole Custer won the pole and led 49 of the 50 laps. 

But Gray Gaulding, who started sixth, caught Custer going into Turn 3 on the final lap and contact between the two resulted in Custer spinning and Gaulding becoming the youngest race winner in series history.

One Of Closest Four-WayChampionship Battles In Series History

Derek Thorn won his first NASCAR title
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images-NASCAR)

The 2013 season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West featured one of the closest four-way battles for the championship in the history of the series, with Derek Thorn capturing the title by six points over Cameron Hayley, Greg Pursley and Michael Self.

In his final year of a two-year stint driving car owner Bob Bruncati’s No. 6 Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford, Thorn had a textbook season in winning his first NASCAR championship.

The 27-year-old Californian jumped out front in the championship standings early and built on that lead with consistent finishes. Thorn – who was originally from Lakeport, but now resides in Bakersfield – carried that margin through the season to clinch the title in the final race of the year.

As a side note, the final points for the top two drivers in 2013 mirrored the points of the top two drivers the previous year. Thorn won the 2013 series championship by six points over Hayley – 622 to 616. In 2012, Dylan Kwasniewski had won the championship by six points over Pursley – 622 to 616.

2013 NASCAR Championship video for NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Derek Thorn

“Our whole goal in 2013 was the championship,” said the tall, soft-spoken 27-year-old Californian – who won the title in just his second full season of series competition. “We sat down and had a long talk about it in March, before we came to Phoenix the first time. We just happened to put together an awesome season for ourselves. We weren’t always the fastest; but we were a model of consistency and we always put together good solid strong runs – and to win a championship, that’s exactly what we had to do.”

2014 K&N West Schedule Announced

Fourteen Race Calendar
Spans Seven States

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West opens and closes with its traditional Phoenix dates, and in between tackles some tricky ovals and battles on a pair of premier road courses.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West opens the 2014 season on Feb. 27 at
Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

A 14-race schedule that covers seven states and includes five companion events with NASCAR’s National Series awaits the West portion of the top step on the NASCAR’s developmental ladder.

New to the 2014 slate is a return to one of the sport's finest short tracks in Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. The series also will make a visit to State Line Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho. Kern County Raceway Park has added a second date, as well.

“The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West features the stars of tomorrow competing against the top stock-car drivers in the west,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The 2014 calendar is an excellent mix of short tracks, national series companion events and challenging road courses to give fans an exciting season and help prepare the drivers for the next level.”

The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule rundown:

Phoenix International Raceway – The 2014 season kicks off at the D-shaped, one-mile track on Feb. 27 and the new champion will be crowned on Nov. 6 in a return to the Arizona desert. Both dates are in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits.

Irwindale Speedway – After a year away, the K&N West makes its return to the half-mile West Coast jewel on March 22 on the same weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits nearby Auto Club in Fontana, Calif.

Stockton 99 Speedway – The series makes it visit to the Northern California quarter-mile for the season’s third event on May 3.

Iowa Speedway – For the eighth consecutive year, the Newton, Iowa, track will host the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West combination events. The first clash will be May 17 and the two series will again meet for bragging rights on Aug. 1. Both will be part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series weekends.

Kern County Raceway Park – After a successful debut at the newly-constructed half-mile track, the series makes a pair of trips to Bakersfield, Calif., on May 24 and Aug. 30.

Sonoma Raceway – California’s Napa Valley is the setting on June 21 as the series joins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for its first of two road-course dates.

State Line Speedway – New to the slate this season is a July 12 visit to the quarter-mile oval located in Post Falls, Idaho.

Colorado National Speedway – Another trip to the Rocky Mountain region is in store for July 26.

Evergreen Speedway – The series makes its annual trip to the Pacific Northwest on Aug. 16 to take on the historic .646-mile oval just north of Seattle.

Miller Motorsports Park – The pristine Utah racing complex will host the series’ second road-course date on Sept. 13 for a battle on the 2.2-mile East Course.

All American Speedway – The California third-mile oval will play host to the series for the 16th time on Oct. 11 for the series’ penultimate event.

2014 NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST SCHEDULE

Date	Track (Length)	Location
Feb. 27	Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile)	Avondale, Ariz.
March 22	Irwindale Speedway (.5-mile)	Irwindale, Calif.
May 3	Stockton 99 Speedway (.25-mile)	Stockton, Calif.
May 17 *	Iowa Speedway (.875-mile)	Newton, Iowa
May 24	Kern County Raceway Park (.5-mile)	Bakersfield, Calif.
June 21	Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile road course)	Sonoma, Calif.
July, 12	State Line Speedway (.25-mile)	Post Falls, Idaho
July 26	Colorado National Speedway (.375-mile)	Dacono, Colo.
Aug. 1 *	Iowa Speedway (.875-mile)	Newton, Iowa
Aug. 16	Evergreen Speedway (.646-mile)	Monroe, Wash.
Aug. 30	Kern County Raceway Park (.5-mile)	Bakersfield, Calif.
Sept. 13	Miller Motorsports Park (2.2-mile road course)	Tooele, Utah
Oct. 11	All American Speedway (.333-mile)	Roseville, Calif.
Nov. 6	Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile)	Avondale, Ariz.

* Combination race with NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Subject to change

Source

Derek Thorn's Trophy

From @KipChildress :Here is @DerekThorn6's new lid. #KNWest #NASCARChampions @NASCARHall pic.twitter.com/ZbNuYGBu59

@DerekThorn6 response -  Awesome trophy to get! (https://twitter.com/DerekThorn6/status/410959558300143616)

NASCAR Champions To Be Honored Friday And Saturday Night.

The official 2013 NASCAR Champion's photo shoot was held today at
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Whiskey River Ranch in Mooresville, N.C.

NASCAR’s top drivers throughout its regional touring and weekly series will be in the spotlight this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a bevy of activities leading up to the awards ceremonies Friday and Saturday night.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday, Dec. 13. Among those honored will be the 2013 national champion Lee Pulliam, as well as track champions from 55 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies.

"We've been really looking forward to this," said Lee Pulliam, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion. "A lot of hard work has gone into this year to get us to this point. Charlotte was a blast last year, and it's already started off that way this year.

"I'm just really proud of everybody's hard work and determination that's gotten us here. Getting that handshake from NASCAR President Mike Helton and receiving that coveted trophy, that’s something I've always dreamed of."

On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14, honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

"It's great - this week is always a blast," said Ander Vilarino, who won his second straight NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013. "All the moments are very special. Just having the car in the NASCAR Hall of Fame -- all the champions cars are there. And you can see Petty's car and Johnson's car, and there is our car.

"And obviously the awards ceremony is the key moment - the most exciting moment of the week - when you receive that NASCAR championship ring."

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Full Results for the Snowball Derby

46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS

UPDATE:  In postrace inspection, Elliott's car was disqualified for having a prohibited tungsten part, elevating second-place finisher Erik Jones to first place and giving the teen from Byron, Mich., back-to-back Snowball Derby victories.

Chase Elliott wins the 46th annual Snowball Derby from Five Flags Speedway
in Pensacola, FL. (photo credit Speed51.com)

1. Erik Jones
2. Grant Enfinger
3. Austin Theriault
4. Hunter Robbins
5. John Hunter Robbins
6. David Rogers
7. Kyle Benjamin
8. Ross Kenseth
9. Derek Thorn
10. Donnie Wilson
11. Landon Cassill
12. Ben Kennedy
13. Chad Finley
14. Cale Gale
15. Casey Smith
16. Johanna Long
17. Paul Shafer
18. Jeremy Pate
19. Clay Rogers
20. Daniel Hemric
21. Stephan Nasse
22. Josh Hamner
23. Mason Massey
24. Spencer David
25. Anderson Bowen
26. Logan Bowen
27. Zac Hausler
28. David Ragan
29. Mason Mingus
30. Bubba Pollard
31. Preston Peltier
32. Chris Davidson
33. TJ Reaid
34. Boris Jurkovic
35. Mike Garvey
36. Augie Grill
37. Chase Elliott - DQ

Tweet from Chase Elliott ‏@chaseelliott --- Simply sorry to everyone. One Mistake on our part costed us the race. I Can't thank the ones who are still supporting us tonight enough.

46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS- Speed51.com is the Official News Site of the Snowball Derby

Once again in 2013, Speed51.com is the Official News Site of the Snowball Derby. Be sure to check out their website for live “46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS” coverage today (Sunday, December 8.)

A full schedule and more information can be found on Speed51.com’s Schaeffer's Racing Oil Snowball Central. 

Today’s Snowball Derby schedule (Sunday Dec 8th)

• 7 am Pits Open (Team members only),
• 9 am Hauler exit deadline; Pits open
• 9:30 am Drivers Meeting
• 10 am Worship Service
• 12 pm Engine Warm Ups, Cars to Grid
• 1 pm Drivers Introduction and Pre Race Festivities
• 2 pm Snowball Derby 300

Should NASCAR Race Mom use her head to pick a race winner; she would pick - Ross Kenseth

Winning the All American 400, Redbud 300, and Winchester 400 all in the same year is pretty impressive.

However, Ross needs the Snowball Derby to complete his short track resume. It should be noted that in his four precious Snowball starts, Kenseth has complete all 300 laps.

Kenseth is starting just outside the top-ten (11).

“The Snowball Derby has so much history behind it and so many great drivers have competed there and won that event, it just makes it a huge weekend,” said Kenseth. “The fan support that is seen throughout the entire weekend is second to none, which makes it really exciting from the day you get there.”

Should NASCAR Race Mom use her heart to pick a race winner; she would pick – Derek Thorn

This newly crowned K&N Pro Series West Champion is the West’s best opportunity to contend with the East.

However, starting mid-field with a 22 grid berth; California native Thorn will have to have a perfect race to pull off an upset win. Thorn and three other members of his race team traveled a couple thousand miles from Bakersfield, Calif., to Pensacola. They arrived on November 23rd. The Snowball Derby is that important.

“The last time we went there we blew two motors and we ended up upside down in the race and destroyed everything we owned,” said Thorn. “I looked at it as one of the coolest things I have even done.”

Thorn understands that running the Snowball Derby made him a part of a brotherhood of a historic line of Super Late Model drivers.

“The whole operation is unlike anything we see out west,” said Thorn. “We have big shows, but the Derby is so big for so many days. It’s a completely a different experience. What I like about the Derby is racing against great cars and equipment. For most it’s the camaraderie of the drivers and the teams. It’s hard to put into words until you experience it for yourself.”

NASCAR Race Mom wishes all the “46th Annual Snowball Derby Presented by JEGS” competitors a safe and fun race.

Snowball Derby Starting Line Up Chasing Chase Elliott

The cars sit on pit road waiting for qualifying for the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway
in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Mark Inabinett/minabinett@al.com)

A 18-year-old Chase Elliott, became the first driver to win the pole for both the Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby with track records in both qualifying events.

Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, turned in a time of 16.303, shattering the previous record of 16.602.

It took a little longer than expected, but Mason Mingus, the runner-up in the 2013 ARCA Racing Series championship standings, managed to secure a spot in today’s Snowball Derby by winning Saturday’s last chance race.

Mingus will be joined by David Rogers, Cale Gale and Josh Hamner as the four drivers advancing from Saturday’s last chance race.

Rodgers will be making his 29th appearance in the Snowball Derby.

Gale and Hamner finished fifth and sixth, but got the nod after the second and fourth-place finishers were disqualified.

Gale, a winner on the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series when he sent Kyle Busch into the wall in Miami, is driving Scott Carlson’s No. 21.

“We’ve been working really hard all weekend,” Gale said. “Scott Carlson gave me a great opportunity. We’ll see what we can do. We’ll just keep plugging away at it.”

Brady Boswell and Chris Wimmer — seeking their first appearance in the Snowball Derby — finished second and fourth, respectively, but were DQ’d after their cars failed the postrace inspection.

Here's the starting lineup for the Snowball Derby:

1. Chase Elliott
2. Bubba Pollard
3. John Hunter Nemechek
4. Daniel Hemric
5. Augie Grill
6. Casey Smith
7. Austin Theriault
8. David Ragan
9. Zak Hausler
10. Grant Enfinger
11. Ross Kenseth
12. Erik Jones
13. Stephen Nasse
14. Kyle Benjamin
15. Paul Shafer, Jr.
16. Ben Kennedy
17. Chad Finley
18. T.J. Reaid
19. Preston Peltier
20. Hunter Robbins
21. Mason Massey
22. Derek Thorn
23. Johanna Long
24. Spencer Davis
25. Boris Jurkovic
26. Jeremy Pate
27. Mike Garvey
28. Logan Boyett
29. Landon Cassill
30. Anderson Bowen
31. Mason Mingus
32. Cale Gale
33. David Rogers
34. Josh Hamner
35. Chris Davidson
36. Donnie Wilson
37. Clay Rogers

The crowd check out racing action Saturday night during the Snowflake 100
at Five Flags Speedway. (John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com)

Chase Elliott became the first driver to win the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 three times and the first to win the pro late model race from the pole on Saturday night at Five Flags Speedway.