Race fans on the Gulf Coast, your wait is officially over. Five Flags Speedway — home of the legendary Snowball Derby — fires up its 2026 season with a massive doubleheader weekend on March 13 and 14, blending hometown grassroots racing with some of the best Super Late Model talent in the country.
Friday Night Belongs to the Locals
The season kicks off Friday, March 13, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and racing starting at 8 p.m. Three fan-favorite divisions take center stage: the Faith Chapel Outlaws, the Crown Stocks, and the Allison Legacy Series.
- The Allison Legacy Series is always a crowd pleaser — these scaled-down cup-style cars showcase the next generation of racing talent, and you never know who you might be watching before they become a household name in motorsports.
“Five Flags Speedway continues its tradition of providing the most exciting and affordable family fun in the region,” the track said in its announcement.
- Friday night is pure Pensacola — local drivers, passionate fans, and the kind of side-by-side racing that reminds you why short-track motorsports matter.
Saturday Puts Pensacola on the National Stage
On Saturday, March 14, things get serious. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the green flag drops at 1 p.m. for the Sunshine State 200 — a premier event triple-sanctioned by the ASA STARS National Tour, the Southern Super Series, and the Deep South Cranes Blizzard Series.
Why this matters: The best Super Late Model drivers in the country will battle it out on the high banks of Five Flags, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
- This race also serves as Race #1 of the Blizzard Series, officially launching the “Road to the Snowball Derby.” Every point earned, every position gained, is part of a driver’s quest for a guaranteed starting spot in what the track rightfully calls “the world’s biggest short-track race.”
Mark Your Calendars
Whether you’re a die-hard who has circled opening weekend since January or a family looking for affordable, world-class entertainment, this is the weekend to be at Five Flags.
For tickets, schedules, and updates, visit 5flagsspeedway.com or find them on Facebook. The road to the Snowball Derby starts right here in Pensacola — don’t miss the first lap.