For 56 years now, drivers and fans have made their way to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida to witness the spectacle that is the Snowball Derby. Throughout those years, we've witnessed plenty of exciting races but there are a few that stand out amongst the rest. 

As we get ready for the 57th Annual Snowball Derby presented by FloSports, we take a look at 10 of the best races in Snowball Derby history. 

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1980 - A Derby Ahead Of Its Time

The 1980 Snowball Derby was ahead of its time. The entire season saw limits being tested in every aspect of the race car: bodies, tires and engines were all pushed to the limits. 

In 1978 Billy McGinnis set fast time for the Snowball Derby at 17.50 seconds. A year later, Jody Ridley posted the mark at 17.05 seconds. That's a pretty big year-over-year improvement, right? 

Well... cars were even faster a year later in 1980 when Gary Balough rolled out a hot rod and recorded a qualifying lap of 16.33 seconds. For the mathematicians out there, that's more than a full second faster than the fastest lap two years prior. 

The mark was so fast that it would not be topped until Bubba Pollard set the qualifying record in 2011. Others followed suit with the top 15 cars breaking the track record from the year before. 

The speed of the race took its toll on cars and tires. Balough had to change 12 tires during the 203-lap race. Even coming to the checkered flag, Balough had a soft tire and nearly spun for a second time that day. At the flag, only the top three drivers were on the lead lap. Rules were adjusted the following year and the massive speed era was harnessed. 

2011 - Elliott vs. VanderLey

"VanderLey is there. VanderLey is there. VanderLey is there."

The 2011 Snowball Derby provided one of the most memorable calls and finishes in the 56-year history of the race. 

The final five laps couldn’t have been written better by a Hollywood film producer. A 16-year-old Chase Elliott went door-to-door with DJ VandLey in an epic back-and-forth battle. Heading into the third turn of the final lap Elliott got the advantage and led the field back to the checkered flag. 

Reviewing the tale of the tape, Elliott led the 296th lap before VanderLey led 297, 298 and 299. Elliott then took the lead back during the money lap. 

2005 - One For Eddie 

For nearly three decades Eddie Mercer was the fan favorite at the Snowball Derby. The four-time pole winner was looking at the 2005 race, his 17th attempt at winning the race, wondering what he had to do to win the Tom Dawson Trophy. He was second in 2004 and he might not have been able to stomach another close call.  

In typical fashion, Mercer jumped to the point and led the early laps. However, on lap 12 Mercer went for a spin after contact with Freddie Query.  The mindset of that spin changed the complexion of the race for Mercer. The wreck damaged the fuel hose and the crew worked on that, keeping him on the lead lap before he charged back to the front. 

Despite getting beat out of the pits Mercer got the lead back on lap 266.  When Mercer got to lap 280 it looked as if the stars were lining up as the Pensacola, Florida driver was leading later in the race than he had ever done so before. 

The checkered flag flew on Mercer, who was surprised to see his dad Albert in victory lane as efforts were made to get him to the track to celebrate with his son.  

2003 - From New York To The Snowball Derby

Years ago, the NASCAR Banquet was held in New York City and the regional touring series drivers would attend the event to be honored during the weekend. The one problem that Charlie Bradberry discovered was that it was held the same weekend as the Snowball Derby. Opting to miss time trials, Bradberry had to charter a plane just to get to Pensacola on race day for the 2003 Snowball Derby.   

On race day, Bradberry started shotgun on the field and slowly worked his way forward. It was not surprising as he came from 33rd to 11th in 2001 and 32nd to third in 2002. He had won twice that season at Five Flags and was a favorite despite the starting spot.   

Once Bradberry got to the point he didn’t give it up and he held off two-time champion Gary St. Amant for the win. The two made contact at the line and Bradberry went for a spin, but his victory was complete. 

2016 - The Closest Finish Ever

The classic finish was one for the ages, but very much like the Elliott vs. VanderLey battle, these two came from different backgrounds to wage this epic war that saw Christian Eckes beat out John Hunter Nemechek by inches for the win. 

Eckes started 12th and had only won his first Super Late Model race a week before.  Nemechek had won the Snowball Derby two years prior. 

After both drivers worked by Ty Majeski, Eckes made his move on Nemecheck and got to the lead coming to the checkered flag. Both drivers were excited to be a part of such a finish which ended up being the closest in the race's history. 

1997 -  Swapping The Lead 

The 1997 Snowball Derby saw a record 18 lead changes among 10 drivers and it was slowed by 19 yellow flags. The strategy in this race had to be a challenge because there was no flow or long green flag runs. 

The race had a lot of comers and goers as Jody Ridley led 55 laps from 27th. But at the end of the day, it came down to Bobby Gill and Eddie Mercer. Gill took over the lead with just over 10 laps to go and then held off Mercer by three car lengths. It was the second win for Gill and the second time Mercer finished second in the Snowball Derby. 

2000 - From The Back 

A warm December day left several drivers fighting handling issues and engine issues in a race that saw 18 lead changes and 12 yellow flags in a quest for $50,000. When it was all said and done, Gary St. Amant came from 32nd, the deepest any winner had come at that point, to win the race for a second time.  

Jody Ridley came home second after starting 25th in the race and could have mounted a challenge for a second win as well, but he was also fighting engine issues.  

The race was ultra-competitive as Dick Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Eddie Mercer and several others all took turns at the top of the leaderboard. No driver led more than 65 laps and there really was no clear favorite. 

Prior to this race, no driver had won from deeper than 30th. During the decade, the race was won four times from 32nd or deeper. 

1986 - The Heart Of The All-Pro Era

The All-Pro Series was at its peak in 1986 with a solid field of cars racing each week around the southeast. A crop of 18 drivers followed the tour making at least 75% of the races that year. Gary Balough was in a different league that year having won eight poles and nine races before rolling into Pensacola for the finale.  

Balough set fast time, as he did in 1980, and led 131 of the 250 laps to post the victory. It wasn't as easy as the stat sheet would make it out to be. Balough pitted with 43 laps to go for tires and only slipped past Jody Ridley with just over a dozen laps to go. A strong Butch Miller stalked him as long as he could before Balough pulled away. 

To make the victory extra special, the win allowed Balough to win the All-Pro Championship that season. Despite their success that season, the win was the only one they had at Five Flags in 1986. He failed to finish two of the prior four events there. 

2017 - A Golden Anniversary 

The 50th running of the Snowball Derby had all the extra special bells and whistles a golden anniversary should have. 

When the race went green it was clear that Bubba Pollard had the best car. Ty Majeski attempted to use a unique strategy that day and found himself down two laps at the end of the race.

Pollard led 157 laps and was pressured by Jeff Choquette for the lead. Both thought that a yellow would come out setting up a late-race tire change. However, the yellow never came out and Kyle Busch ran down the two leaders and passed them. Both Pollard and Choquette were left wondering what might have been.  

1995 - Finally 

Jeff Purvis had to wait a while to get his Snowball Derby. Before the 1995 race, he led 194 laps in 1992 and finished second. He came back in 1993 to lead 101 laps and again finish second. How many tries was it going to take for him? 

All those questions came to rest in 1995 when he paced the field for 201 laps from the outside pole and finally led the final lap to capture the Tom Dawson Trophy. What made it even sweeter was that Purvis beat former winners Rick Crawford and Jody Ridley for the win.  

It was a special win as it was also the first win for car owner James Finch. After years of trying, the tandem finally made it all work.