12/8/2013
Five Flags Speedway
Mingus Wins Snowball Last Chance Race
ARCA Series points runner up glad to make Derby
Two weeks ago Mason Mingus felt fairly confident that his Super Late Model team would be in the Snowball Derby. He had a banner racing season with a second place ARCA points finish, a very solid third at the tough Winchester 400 and he was headed for a top ten finish at the All American 400 before getting caught in someone else’s crash. He’d had the fastest time in the Snowball Derby Practice Preview. So, all-in-all, there was reason for figuring he had a good chance of qualifying well for the 46th annual Snowball Derby. So, when the Brentwood, TN driver missed qualifying by a couple of spots, there was disappointment, but he knew he had a good car and a good team, so he was determined to have a good showing in the Last Chance race.
And he did. Mingus dominated the race leading all 50 laps and winning by a comfortable margin.
“We were very disappointed to miss making the race on time, but we knew we had a good car and I wanted to prove it,� he said shortly after taking his car through post race tech.
Mingus’ best finish at the Snowball was seventh and he hopes to improve on that now that he is in the show. He also knows that coming from far back in the field will be difficult, but not impossible.
“We started the Winchester 400 in 28th and finished third and that was after having to overcome some mechanical issues midway through the race,� he said. “But, this is the Snowball and it’s probably the toughest Super Late Model race in the country, so we have be smart in the race. We also have to have some luck. This is the same car we had at Winchester so we know it races well. We have our work cut out for us, but we are looking forward to the race. It’s a relief to be in the show.�
Mingus will remain in the Gulf area through Tuesday when he will travel to Mobil to help promote next season’s ARCA event scheduled there.