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Brian Campbell Hoping to Bring Snowball Derby Trophy Back to Michigan

Michigan Dominator Looks to Add Name to Tom Dawson Trophy
By Matt Prieur, Speed51.com Midwest Editor - Twitter: @mattprieur

Michigan’s Berlin Raceway is one of the most difficult tracks for any outsider to come in and do well right off the truck. The weekly talent that call Berlin their home track are some of the most competitive drivers in the country. Once drivers have gotten acclimated to the uniquely-shaped oval, chances are that when those teams venture out and race anywhere else, they’re going to be tough to beat.

For Brian Campbell, any race at Berlin simply means it’s a “home game� for the hard-charging veteran from Wyoming, Michigan. It doesn’t matter what series invades, Campbell is the man to beat at the historic fairgrounds oval in Western Michigan. The 33-year-old is looked upon as the odds on favorite each and every time he shows up to race at his home track.

Campbell is not only good at Berlin; he’s good all over the Midwestern United States. Victories at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana as well as at Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio in ARCA/CRA Super Series competition during the 2012 racing season are proof enough that wherever he goes, he’s a contender. Now one of the top drivers in the state of Michigan will take his talents and resources to the biggest race of them all - the 45th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on December 2nd.

Campbell is looking to become the first driver from the Great Lakes State to win the Snowball Derby since fellow West Michigan driver, the legendary Butch Miller, won the race in 1987. In addition, Campbell is looking to join a rare group that includes Miller as well as one of the most accomplished short track competitors in history, Ed Howe, who won the race back in 1972, as the only drivers from the “Great White North� to claim victory in the most prestigious short track race in the country.

Campbell and his familiar #20 KBR Development Ford will make the 17-hour haul from Michigan and compete in his third Snowball Derby. After finishing seventh in his first start in 2007, Campbell dropped out with mechanical problems in 2009 and was credited with a 32nd place showing. He also has one start in the companion Snowflake 100 also in 2007 when he posted a 10th-place finish.

For a driver who is so successful close to home, what makes the Snowball Derby so unique and so appealing?

“Plain and simple, the talent pool is so good,� said Campbell. “They have the Blizzard Series, which is one of the toughest local series’ in the country. The Snowball Derby pulls the best teams from all over the country and the only ones that show up are the best around. The locals are also really good and I’m sure they are geared up for this race and want to defend their home turf. Much the same way it is for me at Berlin when another touring group comes in.�

While Campbell is a former Sunoco National Tour Champion and has won races throughout the Midwest, he and everyone else at the Snowball Derby have to bring their A-games if they want to succeed in Pensacola.

"Thankfully we have great sponsors and great owners (Mike & Kathy Bursley),� added Campbell. “We are just looking forward to going down to the Derby one more time. It is a very expensive and tough race just to get to, so we are thankful to get there. Also Boyne Machine Company is coming on board with a new decal side wrap. The car is going to look cool. Once we are there it turns into just another race with a lot of talent.�

Campbell feels he can take all that he has applied, and won with, at Berlin to Pensacola to be competitive in the 45th running of the Snowball Derby.

“It all comes down to tires, tires, tires. Berlin teaches you to keep your tires under you and ride. It teaches you to not use your stuff up and have something left for them at the end. It’s the same way at Pensacola. If the Blizzard Series is the toughest local series in the country, the Coors Light Super Late Models Series at Berlin is a very close second.�

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