If you’re looking for a fun family outing or a unique thrilling experience, there’s nothing quite like seeing the blizzard that takes place in Pensacola every July. No snowstorm here; just a mob of professional racecars and drivers, including some from the NASCAR series, competing to win the Super Late Model Blizzard series.
The Blizzard series is a precursor to the track’s famous December Snowball Derby race. Many of the racing greats who participate in the Snowball Derby test the track out during the Blizzard 100-lap races, giving spectators the chance to see highly skilled drivers in the summer.
The July 24 race takes place at 8 p.m. with gates opening at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for military, seniors and students; $5 for children; and kids six years old and under get in for free. The Blizzard series is just one of many hot events taking place at the speedway from June through August.
“We like to say that we have something for everyone at Five Flags Speedway. We have several different types of cars that race and several different types of races. We also have a huge national car show coming up in October. It’s racing and enjoying cars for all ages in an easy environment,” says General Manager of Five Flags Speedway Tim Bryant.
One of the speedway’s summer events growing in popularity and participation is the Mt. Dew Kickstart Drift Series, which takes place Saturday, July 18. Bryant says if you’ve seen the Fast and Furious movies, you’ll have an idea of what happens on drift night. The car colors and styles might not match those in the movie series, but the car performances try to mimic some of the scenes.
“Drifters slide their cars around the corners, smoke the tires, speed and do other tricks they used to do on the streets. But now we’ve given them a safe, legal venue, and we’re attracting younger auto enthusiasts from New Orleans to Tallahassee with this motorsport,” says Bryant.
It’s ground level watching only during the Drift series. The stands are closed, allowing spectators to stand in the speedway oval and tailgate. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and drifting begins at 4 p.m. on July 18. Tickets are $50 to drift and $10 to watch.
Drivers working their way up to Super Late Model racing get the chance to show off their skills and speed in the 20-lap Pro Late Model Double Headers on July 10 and August 28. Cars race twice and switch spots for the second race. Winners go to the back and the slowest cars move to the front, making for an exciting finish as drivers come from behind to reclaim top spots. Gates open each day at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for military, seniors and students; $5 for children; and kids six years old and under get in for free.
Excitement is already brewing at the speedway this summer over the NOPI Nationals and then the speedway’s flagship event – the 48th Annual Snowball Derby. Ticket sales for the NOPI Nationals are already underway, and ticket sales for the Snowball Derby kick off August 18.
The NOPI Nationals take place at Five Flags Speedway October 23-25. The NOPI organization brings its multifaceted car shows to only a few select markets, and Pensacola is thrilled to be on the schedule for the first time ever this year.
The NOPI Nationals is a jam-packed weekend of events including a 300-car show, drift shows, hydraulic shows, audio events like sound offs with car stereos, live entertainment and swimsuit competitions. The Pensacola event is expected to attract close to 3,000 spectators over the three-day weekend.
The biggest week at Five Flags Speedway continues to be the Snowball Derby, and preparations are already underway this summer to make it a success. The summer season is when entries start coming for this year’s event, which takes place December 3-6. The Snowball Derby is known as the nation’s most prestigious short track race. The 300-lap Super Late Model race features some of the best short drivers in the country, including big names in NASCAR. Close to 30,000 fans visit Pensacola to watch the trials, shows and races that lead up to the official race.
To stay updated on entries coming in for this year’s Snowball Derby and drivers participating in Super Late Model Blizzard series, fans can log onto the Five Flags Speedway website at 5flagsspeedway.com and follow news on the speedway on Facebook at Facebook.com/5flagsspeedway.
5 Flag Speedway PR
