Snowball Derby entry list tops 60 cars

With less than a week to go until first practice for the Snowball Derby, the entry list appears nearly set.

There are currently 67 names on the preliminary entry list, but several of them have already withdrew from the event for various reasons. The most notable of them is 2014 winner John Hunter Nemechek, whom will not compete with NEMCO Motorsports actively shopping its cars on the open market.

The other notable withdrawal is Chad Finley, the hard-luck victim from last season, who recently sold his family equipment and will not make the annual trek south.

Steve Wallace recently quipped, “Why do I want to spend $30,000 to win $20,000” and also withdrew from the event. His entry was a mere formality, should he have decided to change his mind.

Daniel Hemric teased an entry back in October, but ultimately decided that he didn’t have enough time to put together a competitive entry with Carswell Motorsports.

“I saw them when we were at Phoenix and tried to see if we could make it work,” Hemric said. “It just didn’t make a lot of sense. We showed up last year last minute and was about a 15th place car. I don’t want to just show up. I want to win the Derby, and we’ll certainly be back someday, but I want to go there and be fully prepared.”

READ MORE: Why Erik Jones and Chase Elliott are not running the Snowball Derby

Meanwhile, that leaves 64 other names expected to chase the Tom Dawson Memorial Trophy next weekend.

The list now contains only four former winners in Christian Eckes, Kyle Busch, Augie Grill and Rich Bickle.

Other contenders include former Southern Super Series champions Stephen Nasse, Bubba Pollard and Donnie Wilson. NASCAR K&N East champion Harrison Burton is back as is Kyle Busch Motorsport drivers Noah Gragson and Cole Rouse.

Over 65 drivers will compete for 36 starting spots next weekend through a meticulous process that includes time trials and a last chance race. The race pays $20,000 to win, a championship ring, and the bragging rights over Snowball Derby glory.

The complete entry list can be found below and includes those who have already decided to withdraw.

1. Anthony Cataldi
2. Donnie Wilson
3. Ben Rowe
4. Kyle Plott
5. Jerry Artuso
6. Johnny Sauter
7. Mason Mingus
8. Dalton Armstrong
9. Corey LaJoie
10. John DeAngelis Jr
11. John Hunter Nemechek
12. Tate Fogleman
13. Derek Kraus
14. Jeff Choquette
15. David Rogers
16. Logan Boyett
17. Harrison Burton
18. Derek Griffith
19. Chris Davidson
20. Connor Okrzesik
21. Christian Eckes
22. Steven Davis
23. Casey Roderick
24. Noah Gragson
25. Kason Plott
26. Brandon McReynolds
27. Blane Rocha
28. Donald Crocker
29. Bubba Pollard
30. Chandler Smith
31. Christian McGhee
32. Bobby Knox Jr
33. Stuart Dutton
34. Tyler Dippel
35. Dustin Smith
36. Dan Fredrickson
37. Chad Finley
38. Dennis Schoenfeld
39. Derek Thorn
40. Rich Bickle
41. Cole Rouse
42. Preston Peltier
43. Michael Atwell
44. Kyle Busch
45. Stephen Nasse
46. Boris Jurkovic
47. Cole Butcher
48. Brandon Oakley
49. Spencer Davis
50. Jeff Firestine
51. John Coffman
52. Tyler Ankrum
53. Garrett Evans
54. Logan Bearden
55. Steve Wallace
56. Jeremy Doss
57. Joe Aramendia
58. Kyle Bryant
59. Chase Purdy
60. Grant Enfinger
61. Garrett Jones
62. Jeremy Pate
63. Ty Majeski
64. Derrick Griffin
65. Casey Smith
66. Raphael Lessard
67. Augie Grill

Read more Short Track Scene:

• Ty Majeski, Roush pit crew prepared for fourth Snowball Derby attempt
• Snowball Derby rules and race procedures
• Open letter from ABC Committee over Gen-6 body rollout

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