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Hansen, Gragson, Jean Win Last Chance Races; Bickle Earns Provisional, Will Compete for Sixth Derby CrownÂ

Hansen, Gragson, Jean Win Last Chance Races; Bickle Earns Provisional, Will Compete for Sixth Derby Crown 

 

By Chuck Corder 

If qualifying for the Snowball Derby is the most nerve-racking moment throughout the week, then the last chance races run a close second. 

Drivers are desperate to punch their tickets into the biggest races of the season for their respective divisions. They battle three-wide, go for broke, and leave nothing to chance. 

A series of three last chance races for the Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, and Outlaws cars Saturday at the 54th Annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters were no exceptions. 

Jace Hansen won a thrilling 50-lap race to get into the Derby tomorrow afternoon. Derek Kraus, Carson Hocevar, and Brandon Watson also advanced. Five-time Derby winner Rich Bickle was given a promoter’s provisional and will attempt to win short-track racing’s grandaddy for a record sixth time. 

NASCAR star Noah Gragson captured a wild 50 lapper for the Pro Late Models and earned his spot for tonight’s Allen Turner Snowflake 100. John DeAngelis, Trevor Cristiani, and Dustin Smith rounded out the remaining transfer spots. The race featured three-wide action all throughout the race, and Smith sprinting from the very end of the field to advance. 

Paul Jean won the 15-lap Outlaws last chance race for tonight’s 50-lap Faith Chapel Outlaws Snowball Derby with Cameron Henderson, Nathan Ingersoll, and Chris Cotto also qualifying.

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