No rest for Rowdy - Speedway Digest

While most NASCAR drivers have already hung up their firesuits, helmets and gloves for the season, Kyle Busch closes out his 2012 racing schedule this Sunday, Dec. 2, driving the No. 51 Monster Energy Camry in the 45^th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla. The Las Vegas native returns to the prestigious Super Late Model race for the first time since his victory in the 2009 event. Joining primary sponsor Monster Energy, as associate sponsors for this weekend’s 300-lap event, are Choice Hotels, Quality Imports Toyota, Recycling Equipment Inc. and Tom Thumb.

“The Snowball Derby is one of the best short track races in the country — it’s been around for a long time and draws in some of the most talented drivers,” said Busch, who will be making his third career Snowball Derby start. “It’s a huge race that a lot of people want to win — whether you’re a guy that comes from the late model ranks or a guy that comes from a different background, you always hear about this race. My last time there in 2009, I had a really good car and we were able to win it. It was pretty phenomenal and I took a lot from it that hopefully we can put towards this year and get to victory lane again.”

After starting from the third spot in the 2009 race, Busch led three times for 89 laps – including the final 25 – en route to his first Tom Dawson trophy. Prior to the victory, his lone start at the half-mile oval came in 2002, when an early accident relegated him to a 33^rd-place finish.

Busch, who made a name for himself racing as a teenager at The Bullring at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, has two victories in five Super Late Model starts in 2012. The 27-year-old opened the season with a win in SpeedFest at Watermelon Capitol Speedway in Cordele, Ga. in January and followed it up with his third straight triumph in the Rowdy 251 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich. in June.

“It’s been an up-and-down year in the Late Model races — we’ve had a few wins, but we’ve also torn up some stuff and haven’t been able to make it to the finish the last few races,” Busch said. “Running these races is enjoyable for me. These are my favorite type of race cars — the cars look good and drive good. The 300-lap or longer races with live pit stops are my favorite ones to race in. Racing on short tracks is what I grew up doing and I enjoy giving back to the sport by running a half dozen of the big races around the country each year.”

KBM PR

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