California’s Derek Thorn Grabs Pole for Sunday’s Snowball (again), Times Listed

Thorn Collects 3rd Straight Derby Pole;

Bickle’s Hopes for No. 6 Rests in Last Chance Race Saturday 

By Chuck Corder 

My, what a difference a decade can make. 

At the 44th annual Snowball Derby in 2011, Derek Thorn earned the respect of fans and drivers alike when he barrel-rolled his way through Turn No. 2 at Five Flags Speedway and still managed to walk away from the incident virtually unscathed. That same group of rivals and fans respect Thorn for his immense talent. The 35-year-old from Lakeport, Calif., is a force to be reckoned with whenever and wherever he unloads.  

He proved it once again Friday night at the 54th annual Snowball Derby presented by Hooters. Thorn made history by capturing his third consecutive pole for the 300-lap Super Late Model race Sunday. He wheeled a 16.249-second lap, which was a half-tenth better than Chandler Smith.  

“I don’t know what the odds are on that; probably not good,” Thorn said of his pole hat trick. “But, I’m happy we are here. It’s a group effort. It was here 10 years ago when I made field by one-thousandth of a second. It’s crazy that 10 years later this our third consecutive pole.” 

The qualifying field of 51 cars anticipated possibly breaking Ty Majeski’s track record (16.120 seconds) after the front stretch was repaved earlier this fall after persistent rain and moisture caused a portion of the asphalt to break apart. But Majeski’s mark withstood all challengers to remain untouched. Majeski, the reigning Derby champion, didn’t have the run he wanted. Yet he made the field and will start 19th on Sunday. 

Perennial Derby contenders, such as Bubba Pollard and Casey Roderick, made the show comfortably while fan favorite Rich Bickle will have to earn his way in during the last chance races Saturday. Bickle, who boasts a record five Derby titles, hopes to end his decorated 45-year career with one more victory Sunday. 

Both Jake Finch and Jeff Choquette earned provisional spots for the 54th running thanks to finish in the top-10 in season points for the Southern Super Series and Deep South Cranes Blizzard Series, respectively.