For years, Stephen Nasse has carried one of the heaviest burdens in short-track racing. Back in 2019, he crossed the line at Snowball Derby first, only to have that win stripped in post-race technical inspection because his brakes failed scrutiny. It was a crushing blow: a moment of triumph erased, the trophy handed instead to another driver, and Nasse had to leave in frustration. For many, the “Room of Doom,” as the tech area is known, became a symbol of how fragile victory can be at Five Flags Speedway. But six years later, Nasse has avenged it.

He kept racing hard, kept grinding laps, often running near the front, even if the top step eluded him. Then came the 2025 Snowball Derby, and when the checkered flag fell this time, history finally tipped in his favor.

Nasse finally claims the flag

In a rain-delayed 58th running of the Derby at Five Flags Speedway, Stephen Nasse claimed his first-ever Snowball Derby win in his 15th attempt. He won the race after a dramatic late-race turn of events. With just 12 laps to go, Ty Majeski was black-flagged for a restart violation. That handed the lead and ultimately the trophy to Nasse.

What makes this more than just another Derby win is the story behind it. Nasse isn’t just another driver adding a number to his résumé; he’s a guy who once had a Snowball Derby victory taken from him under brutal circumstances.

“I told them if we can win this, it’ll make up for a winless season,” Nasse said. “We’re gonna hit up Ruby Tuesday again and have a celebration.”

This time, he didn’t cross the line second or third, get disqualified like before, or hope for a mistake by someone else. He won it fair, in the final laps of the biggest short-track race in America, under pressure, under rain, with everything on the line. For fans, for skeptics, for the legend of Stephen Nasse, this feels like redemption.

For Nasse, this isn’t just a trophy; it’s vindication. A long-time short-track warrior, often overlooked by bigger teams and national headlines, now has something concrete to show: a Snowball Derby win that (if he passes post-race inspection) will forever erase the sting of 2019. In the unpredictable world of late-model racing, that’s no small feat.

This Snowball Derby submission was delayed by weather, was decided in the final laps, and defined by a comeback that belongs in storybooks. For Stephen Nasse, the redemption is complete.

Beyond the win itself, the result ripples out across the field. Dawson Sutton grabbed second place, while Jake Garcia, starting way back in 32nd, turned heads with a strong charge to the top-five, rounded out with Kasey Kleyn and Jake Finch, showing just how chaotic and opportunity-rich the closing laps at Pensacola can be.

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Upsets for Majeski and Sutton

Ty Majeski, who had qualified in the front row, didn’t have good news on race day. He finished 23rd, a result he’s clearly not happy with.

He was racing well, but when the restart took place with just 13 laps to go, Majeski went on defense mode. He first got a warning from the officials for jumping the first restart attempt, and then, ultimately, got the black flag for doing it again. And he was vocally upset with that call.

“I don’t know, I felt like I was being pretty consistent. I definitely jumped the first and the second, the rule is to pick up the pace to the line but the rule, the way it is written, is not black and white and leaves it open to balls and strikes. So, I don’t know what to say.

“I’d like to talk to race control and have a discussion. I feel like we won this race and we’ll try and argue of course,” Majeski added.

Meanwhile, Dawson Sutton came so close but still ended up second, something that really pricks him.

“It is my dream to win this race so it sucks to finish second but I’m thankful to be here,” Sutton said. “It was a really up and down day and I’m thankful to finish second.”

He even had the fastest time in practice and drove well as the race progressed, but just felt short of converting in the final restart.