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Fresh Off First Southern Super Series Win, OKC's Wilson Eyes Breakthrough Victory in Blizzard Series Opener on Friday

By Chuck Corder

He loves Five Flags Speedway. He loves it not.

Some 800 miles away, just outside of Oklahoma City, Okla., Donnie Wilson tells you through his cell phone that Five Flags is his favorite asphalt to race on.

Perhaps distance makes the heart grow fonder.

In the 15-plus years the 43-year-old late model driver has come to Pensacola, he remains in search for his first win.

But on the heels of a milestone victory last month, Wilson is riding a wave of momentum into Friday’s Mountain Dew Kickstart 125, the third or 16 races on the Southern Super Series slate.

He’s hopeful that slump is nearing its end.

“Led a lotta laps down there; it just ain't happened yet,� Wilson said. “Pensacola, you never know what you’re going to get. You could have the same stuff every time, and get a different result every time.�

He’ll join a blockbuster Super Late Model lineup for the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Blizzard Series season opener Friday at the famed half-mile oval.

A field that also includes the likes of Pensacola’s Johanna Long, defending Southern Super Series champion Daniel Hemric and some of the biggest young stars and wily veterans in short-track racing.

“These races are so tough, so competitive,� Wilson said. “Anytime you can score a top three, you gotta be happy with that. That’s the way I look at it. Of course we wanna win, but with the caliber of guys we’re running against, it’s hard to beat them. They’re good.�

Friday also marks the season debut for the Pro Trucks while the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Sportsmen and Butler U-Pull-It Bombers continue their respective 2014s.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, students and military; $5 for children ages 6 to 11; and free for kids under 6.

Wilson is riding high after claiming the second SSS race of the season earlier this month in Nashville.

He finished second in the race, but was awarded the win after John Hunter Nemechek was disqualified in post-race technical inspection.

“We didn't get the win like we would've wanted to,� Wilson said. “But we had a fast car, and that’s a good thing.�

Wilson always brings a rocket ship to Pensacola’s high banks.

Despite never hoisting a checkered flag, he has a hauler full of seconds and top-five finishes. Wilson might be remembered best at Five Flags for his duel with Long coming down the stretch of the 2010 Snowball Derby. Long ultimately prevailed, but Wilson earned a loyal following that December afternoon.

Last year, he again came close to capturing the sport’s preeminent short-track race until a late pit stop relegated Wilson to 10th.

He hopes to give his ever-growing fan base more reasons to cheer in 2014, beginning Friday night.

“We haven’t tested there this year yet,� Wilson said. “But we’ll practice Thursday and go from there. We ran good at the (2013) Snowball. The car was too tight and we didn't make the right adjustment at the end.�

He knows that Five Flags is a track that demands a driver’s patience.

If Wilson can stay within himself Friday, perhaps America’s Favorite Home Track will reciprocate his long-standing love affair with a long-overdue victory.

“Five Flags is a give and take place,� he said. “It’s my favorite place to come to. We haven’t cracked Victory Lane yet. But I’ll keep putting my head down, keep digging and hopefully one day pop through.�

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