Action-packed, intense, and dangerous. That pretty much sums up the Snowball derby, which has been arguably the most iconic short-track racing event in over half a century. The all-star event comprises aspiring superstars, NASCAR drivers, and racing legends from a bygone era, all going head-to-head at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. With the stakes higher than ever, accidents are bound to happen, which will test the robustness of the Super Late Model Stock Cars to its absolute limit.

At a time when safety is paramount, are the Super Late Model Stock Cars capable of protecting its drivers, while being pushed to the limit for the $50,000 payday and the iconic Tom Dawson Trophy? Let’s explore.

Safety is paramount for Super Late Model Stock Cars

Accidents are a part of racing. However, safety standards have improved tremendously over the years. Whether it’s the structural robustness of the cars, the equipment worn by drivers, or the emergency services available on the racetrack. While the Next-Gen car has been lauded for its safety standards, not much is known about Super Late Model Stock Cars. However, the vehicles will be used in the upcoming Snowball Derby and several other grassroots racing competitions across the United States, which will give a clear indication of how well they can protect their drivers.

Super Late Model Stock Cars are built keeping safety in mind from the ground up. The vehicle doesn’t feature a fifth coil or lift bar suspension as well as bird-cage setups. To reduce the chances of failure, the coil springs and spindles are made up of steel while the trailing arms are mounted securely on the rear end. The cars don’t feature automatic or quick-change transmissions as well, which have a higher chance of failure. Instead, only full standard-type transmissions are used to improve reliability.

But wait, there’s more! The safety standards extend to clutches as well, with only multi-disc clutches being used instead of direct drives, that are made of carbon fiber or non-standard material. The driveshaft is made of aluminum or steel and painted white, featuring at least two safety straps. Each car must also have a working locked rear end such as a spool while the front fender flares must be made up of plastic and should not change the shape of the car’s nosepiece.

Given how many safety standards Super Late Model Stock Cars follow, it’s not a surprise that each vehicle features 600 horsepower, allowing drivers to zip across the track without fear. With drivers such as Ty Majeski, Noah Gragson, and Chandler Smith competing in the Snowball Derby, it’ll be interesting to see if they test their cars to the limit at the half-mile paved oval. As bragging rights, a significant cash prize, and an iconic trophy are on the line, every driver will be giving it their all to win the iconic race.

The Snowball Derby has a history of bad crashes

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Short-track racing is the lifeblood of American motorsports. However, when the stakes are high and the competition is intense, accidents are bound to happen during races. Fans of the Snowball Derby have seen their fair share of wrecks over the years, but one stands out as particularly scary. In 2021, the Snowball Derby Short Track Pro Truck Series race saw a horrific incident involving Hunter Johnson and John Hale but thankfully, both drivers didn’t suffer permanent injuries.

The crowd was left dumbstruck when Hunter Johnson, driving the No. 38 truck slammed against the wall at Five Flags Speedway during the Snowball Derby. Many feared the worst, simply because of the nature of the collision, combined with the damage that was done to the wall and the vehicle going airborne. To make matters worse, John Hale, driving the No. 96 truck, went directly under the No. 38 while it was airborne, causing structural damage to its roll cage. However, the incident looked worse than it was.

Even though Hunter Johnson fractured one of his vertebrae, it could have been a lot worse. The racing driver came out the following day at the Five Flags Speedway to speak to fans and thanked emergency workers for saving his life. There was an element of luck involved as well, as his truck hit the passenger side and not where he was driving, reducing the impact to some extent. The incident also highlighted the robustness of his vehicle, which saved its driver’s life even though it was totaled beyond recognition. While safety standards have improved since then, drivers will be mindful of the past while competing at the half-mile short track this time around.