Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, “Rowdy,” has confirmed his return to Five Flags Speedway to compete in the 58th annual Snowball Derby. The event is set for December 4–7, marking his long-awaited comeback to one of the most anticipated short-track events in America.
Kyle Busch Aims for a Third Tom Dawson Trophy at Five Flags Speedway
Busch, a two-time winner of the iconic Tom Dawson Trophy, captured his first Snowball Derby title in 2009, then returned to victory lane in 2017 during the race’s 50th anniversary edition.
This December, Busch will aim for a historic third triumph, which would place him among the most successful drivers in the event’s storied history.
For his 2025 campaign, Busch will drive the No. 51 Lucas Oil–sponsored Super Late Model for Bryson Lopez Racing, a Georgia-based outfit making waves in the regional circuit. The partnership signifies a new chapter for Busch’s short-track ventures, as he joins forces with a younger, ambitious team eager to make its mark on the national stage.
Busch’s return has once again received backing from Lucas Oil and FloRacing, both key supporters of grassroots motorsports.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Pensacola, but I haven’t forgotten how to get around Five Flags,” Busch said in a statement. “The Snowball Derby is one of those bucket-list races you always want to win again and again, and I’m fired up to be back with the No. 51 Lucas Oil team and FloRacing. We’re showing up to take that trophy home.”
The Snowball Derby, a prestigious short-track racing event, has become the ultimate proving ground for Super Late Model drivers. Held annually at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, the races draw the best from NASCAR’s top ranks, regional standouts, and rising prospects, all chasing one prize, the Tom Dawson Trophy.
Busch’s Return Adds Star Power to the 58th Edition of the Snowball Derby
Busch’s last appearance came in 2020, where he finished seventh after a hard-fought run in a talent-stacked field. His return adds another layer of intrigue to a line-up expected to be competitive, featuring former Derby winners, NASCAR stars, and local heroes.
For Busch, who balances his NASCAR Cup Series duties with a passion for short-track competition, the Snowball Derby is a throwback to his racing roots. Before becoming one of NASCAR’s most polarizing and accomplished figures, Busch honed his skills in late models, often dominating local circuits with the same intensity that earned him 63 Cup Series wins.
With his aggressive driving style, championship pedigree, and the familiar No. 51 on track, “Rowdy Nation” will once again have plenty to cheer for under the Pensacola lights.