In a heated confrontation at the prestigious Snowball Derby, NASCAR driver Noah Gragson voiced his feelings over the aggressive driving of 18-year-old William Sawalich. This took place during a Thursday practice session at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
The Snowball Derby is famed for its history and the caliber of drivers it attracts, drawing both budding talents and seasoned NASCAR stars. Among them was the 26-year-old Gragson. Gragson, who emerged victoriously in the 2018 Snowball Derby, admitted his frustration over Sawalich’s apparent reckless tactics. In an interview with FloRacing, he said the following:
“He’s tucked up behind me on a mock run, which doesn’t make any sense. Then he picks us up and sends us down in Turn 1. Just, it’s unnecessary, but you just can’t fix stupid.”
Noah Gragson, in his third NASCAR Cup Series season, is known for his unapologetic driving. His career has been marked by strong successes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with numerous top finishes and a fierce racing spirit. Meanwhile, William Sawalich, driving with Joe Gibbs Racing, is set to debut in the Xfinity Series full-time next season.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Despite his young age, Sawalich’s driving skills have been highlighted by his ARCA Menards Series victories and championship titles.
The incident during practice is not an isolated case of on-track friction for Gragson. Previously, during his first season in the Cup Series, he became involved in a physical altercation with driver Ross Chastain. Now, as he continues to establish his place in the racing world, Gragson’s reaction to Sawalich’s driving adds yet another layer to his reputation.
In response to the incident, Gregson said:
“Yeah, yeah. I don’t, I don’t get it, man. It’s Thursday at the Snowball Derby and the Dip Dot in the 62 just running over us.” The week-long nature of the Snowball Derby, with its multiple practice sessions and races, lends itself to heightened emotions. “So, you know, we’ve been working really hard on this Port’s City race car, No. 30. We’re not quite where we need to be yet.”
The Snowball Derby, while being a sporting fixture, also functions as a social event within the racing community. Camaraderie and mutual respect are highly valued, and aggressive on-track behavior can heavily impact a driver’s reputation and relationships. As a result, the incident has set a precedent for the remainder of the race week.
Ahead of the clash, Gregson said the following regarding the race week:
“It’s just a special week to me,” he admitted. “Everyone here is family to me and it means more to race with family. I spent a lot of time early in my career wanting to beat Bubba Pollard and Derek Thorn. I think Bubba Pollard is one of the best race car drivers of his generation and he doesn’t have a Tom Dawson Trophy yet.
“A lot goes into this week and I just have a lot of respect for this kind of racing.”
