At long last, Derek Thorn is a Snowball Derby winner.
Thorn led more than 300 laps in the 55th Annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters, which went into overtime after a flurry of late cautions. Nevertheless, Thorn held strong, holding off the likes of Sammy Smith and Stephen Nasse for the victory.
Thorn's victory comes after a pair of near-misses in the last two years. Thorn led 252 laps in 2020 before finishing second to Ty Majeski, and led 287 laps last year in the event before finishing second to Chandler Smith.
Thorn becomes the first Snowball Derby winner from the state of California. He is also the ninth driver to win their first Snowball Derby after finishing second in the event.
Further post-race coverage from the Snowball Derby will follow. Stay tuned to RacingAmerica.com for more from the event.
Here are unofficial results from the 55th Annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters on December 4, 2022 at Five Flags Speedway.
55TH ANNUAL SNOWBALL DERBY - UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
1. Derek Thorn
2. Sammy Smith
3. Stephen Nasse
4. Casey Roderick
5. Cole Butcher
6. William Byron
7. Jake Garcia
8. Jace Hansen
9. Jacob Gomes
10. Ty Majeski
11. Preston Peltier
12. Carson Kvapil
13. Bubba Pollard
14. Michael Hinde
15. Daniel Dye
16. Giovanni Ruggiero
17. Ryan Luza
18. Matthew Craig
19. Derek Kraus
20. Noah Gragson
21. Luke Fenhaus
22. Dustin Smith
23. Jeremy Doss
24. Albert Francis
25. Josh Berry
26. Hunter Robbins
27. Jesse Love
28. Corey Heim
29. Blaine Rocha
30. Michael House
31. Tyler Tanner
32. Austin Nason
33. Erik Jones
34. Jake Finch
35. Conner Jones
36. Augie Grill