Kyle Busch among big NASCAR names set to compete in the 2025 Snowball Derby

The racing world gears up for one of the crown jewels of short-track racing: the 2025 Snowball Derby. This year’s 58th annual edition at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, scheduled to kick off from December 4 to 7, is shaping up to be among the most star-studded events in recent memory.

Leading the entry list is the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, who is coming back to the Snowball Derby after a five-year absence.

NASCAR veteran is set to drive the #51 Lucas Oil-sponsored car for Bryson Lopez Racing. He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Super Late Model event, having claimed the title in 2009 and again in 2017, and will look for a third victory to join an elite group of multi-time champions.

With NASCAR Cup Series champion status and prior wins at Derby, Busch’s return to the event raises the stakes and the spotlight for the entire field.

Among other NASCAR names, Erik Jones is one of them to take part in the 2025 Snowball Derby. He won this event twice, in 2012 and 2013. NASCAR Cup Series regular Noah Gragson is also making his eighth start in the 2025 Snowball Derby. Gragson won the Derby in 2018 while driving a Super Late Model owned by Kyle Busch.

NASCAR Cup regular Ryan Preece has also lined up among the competitors for the 2025 Snowball Derby. He has made three starts at this event and recorded a best finish of fourth in 2021.

Other NASCAR drivers from the O’Reilly and Truck Series who are featured in the 2025 Snowball Derby are the 2016 NASCAR Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter, Dawson Sutton, the owner of TRICON Garage David Gilliland, the 2024 NASCAR Truck champion Ty Majeski, Conner Jones, Derek Kraus, Bayley Currey, and Jake Garcia.

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Who else is joining the 2025 Snowball Derby field?

The 2025 entry list for the Snowball Derby features more than 45 drivers, including several current and former NASCAR competitors and past Derby winners:

1. Michael Atwell
2. Erik Jones
3. Johnny Sauter
4. Tristan McKee
5. Casey Johnson
6. Derek Kraus
7. Derek Griffith
8. Chase Pinsonneault
9. Austin Nason
10. Mike Hopkins
11. Jacob Gomes
12. Hudson Bulger
13. Max Reaves
14. Kaden Honeycutt
15. Buddy Shepherd
16. Gavan Boschele
17. Kasey Kleyn
18. Bubba Pollard
19. Dawson Sutton
20. Kole Raz
21. Cole Butcher
22. Timothy Watson
23. Noah Gragson
24. Casey Roderick
25. Albert Francis
26. Dustin Smith
27. Jake Garcia
28. Ty Fredrickson
29. Conner Jones
30. Matt Craig
31. Preston Peltier
32. Stephen Nasse
33. Jake Finch
34. Kyle Busch
35. Boris Jurkovic
36. Conner Sutton
37. Seth Christensen
38. Haeden Plybon
39. Ryan Preece
40. Michael Hinde
41. Carson Brown
42. Cory Hall
43. Dylan Fetcho
44. Ty Majeski
45. Spencer Davis
46. Derek Thorn
47. David Gilliland
48. Jace Hansen

Kaden Honeycutt entered as the defending champion of the Snowball Derby.