Another chapter in the Snowball Derby history books has been written, with Chandler Smith winning the 54th running of the event. Before we completely close the book on this chapter, here are some notable numbers and statistics from the 54th Annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters.
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2: Cole Butcher finished third for the second time in his Snowball Derby career. He was third in 2019 as well.
3: Derek Thorn became the first driver to win three-straight pole awards at the Snowball Derby.
READ MORE: Thorn Captures Record Third Straight Snowball Pole
3: The runner-up finish also marked the third podium finish for Derek Thorn at the Snowball Derby.
3: Three is a magic number for Donnie Wilson Motorsports, who placed three drivers inside the top five with a first, third and a fifth. It is perhaps one of the most dominant days by a team in the race's history.
4: It is hard to believe it, but Derek Thorn becomes the fourth driver to finish second in back-to-back years in the Snowball Derby. It’s not been done since Steve Wallace in 2005 and 2006. Dickie Davis also did it in the 70’s and Jeff Purvis did it in the 90’s. All three of those drivers owned a Tom Dawson Trophy or would win one later in their careers.
5: Sammy Smith will go down with the best finish by a rookie Derby starter in this year's event. Smith finished fifth in the Snowball Derby after starting 20th.
5: Hunter Robbins posted his fifth top-10 finish in the Snowball Derby after finishing sixth.
6: A streak came to an end at the Snowball Derby for Ty Majeski, as he failed to lead the race for the first time in seven years. Majeski had led laps in the last six Snowball Derby events.
6: Chandler Smith now has six top-seven finishes in six appearances at the Snowball Derby. He has completed all 1,821 laps he has run at the Derby.
9: This is the ninth time the winner of the race has come from the state of Georgia. That ties them with the home state of Florida.
12: Casey Johnson posted a solid 12th-place finish in his first Snowball Derby start. He finished on the lead lap after failing to qualify last year.
14: A total of 14 cars finished on the lead lap.
28: Carson Hocevar wins the unofficial hard charger award by making up 28 spots in the race going from 35th to seventh.
287: Shattering his record, Derek Thorn led 287 laps in a failed attempt to win the race. That tops the record he set last year with 252.
648: Derek Thorn has now led 648 laps in the Snowball Derby. He is now third on the all-time lap leader list behind only Bobby Gill with 691 and Eddie Mercer with 781. Those numbers seemed way out of reach two years ago, but now Thorn, who is still in his prime, seems to be poised to challenge the record.
2:02:02: At just two hours, two minutes and two seconds, this year's Derby is the fastest 300-lap Snowball Derby in the race's history.
-Story by: Elgin Traylor, Racing America Southeast Correspondent