At 29 years old, Stephen Nasse is set for his 14th consecutive attempt at the prestigious Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. Nasse debuted in 2011 at just 16 years old, and has since become a staple of this "crown jewel" Super Late Model event - often referred to as The Super Bowl of Short Track Racing. Known more for his on-track tenacity than his qualifying prowess, Nasse’s resilience and knack for slicing through the field have consistently made him an exciting driver to watch. 

Qualifying at the Derby is widely regarded as the most stressful day in short-track racing, with the top 30 drivers securing automatic starting spots and the rest facing a grueling 50-lap Last Chance Race. Last night, Nasse, despite, along with Ty Majeski, being the only drivers guaranteed a provisional starting position in this year's race (Majeski being last year's winner, and Nasse having the highest points finish in the Five Flags Speedway 4-Race Blizzard Series Mini-Series, out of drivers who are attempting to race the Derby), was able to qualify on time. He is locked in to start 30th. While it’s the final position in the lineup of automatic, time-trial qualifiers, Nasse has proven time and again that his ability to advance through the field is among the best of the best.

A History of Highs and Lows

Stephen Nasse’s Snowball Derby career has been a rollercoaster of feeling the highest of highs, and the worst of heartbreaks. In 2018 under live pit stop conditions, he invested in an expensive/highly competitive hired pit crew to help maintain his spot, or gain an edge on pit road, and the race was looking strong. Clawing his way from a 35th-place start to a promising position before a mishap from his crew resulted in a mid-race accident, ending his chances 212 laps into the race. The following year, starting dead last in 36th, Nasse electrified fans with one of the most memorable late race shoot-outs between the whole field in Derby history. Over a breathtaking 17 laps of constant 3-wide action and lots of passing, he made his way to the front, emerging as the leader after a chaotic multi-car wreck with two laps remaining. Crossing the finish line first, Nasse appeared to have clinched the biggest victory of his career—only to be disqualified in post-race inspection. The cause was unlikely to have provided a competitive advantage, but he was still the 3rd victim in the prior 10 year stretch at the time of the notorious "Room of Doom" Derby tech shed.

The lows didn’t stop there. In 2020, Nasse tangled with rival #26 Bubba Pollard during the Pro Late Model portion of the weekend, the Snowflake 100, leading to having his win stripped of him after initially crossing the line first. Last year, 2023, he led a race-high 148 of 300 laps in the Derby before a late-race incident with Pollard saw him finish sixth, in what otherwise appeared to be a locked in win for Nasse or Pollard. Despite setbacks, including either being wrecked or otherwise caught up in a wreck, or having mechanical issues take him out of the race early from 2015 through 2018, Nasse has been consistently showcasing his ability to compete with the best, securing top-10 finishes in the last three Derbies, including a podium finish in 2022. His resilience has kept him in the conversation as one of the Derby’s most compelling competitors year after year.

2024: A New Opportunity

While much has changed since Nasse’s Derby debut in 2011—when a pre-NASCAR, teenaged Chase Elliott claimed his first of two victories—the competition remains as fierce as ever. With some familiar names from then still competing, and some names that do not compete regularly anymore, or have moved on to other roles/retired from racing, and with technology in Super Late Model racing advancing, Nasse has a lot of experience through a transition of eras. For many in today's Super Late Model racing, 29 years of age makes you a seasoned veteran, and Nasse is no exception. 

Despite the elusive Tom Dawson Trophy not being in his possession yet, his 7 wins, 17 top-5 finishes, and 25 top-10 finishes in 35 races of Blizzard Series competition at Five Flags Speedway solidify his reputation as one of the track’s top Super Late model contenders. After more than a decade of chasing the ultimate prize, Nassse is as determined as ever to etch his name into Snowball Derby history. With his combination of grit, determination, and a knack for overcoming adversity, this could be the year he finally turns heartbreak into an upheld triumph. One thing is certain: Nasse will leave it all on the track in his pursuit of the Tom Dawson Trophy, and wear his heart on his sleeve.

About The Author:

Luke Trottier - Maritime Late Models