NASCAR’s elite often head to the Snowball Derby to test their mettle against short-track beasts, and the event’s a rite of passage for anyone with a firesuit. Kyle Busch first conquered it in 2009, then stunned everyone by returning for the 50th running in 2017, proving his short-track wizardry wasn’t rusty. The Derby’s chaos, tight lines, door-banging, and last-lap gambles mirror NASCAR’s heart, and it’s no wonder the event pulls in crowds craving that raw energy.

Now, 5x Midwest Champion Late Model superstar Jacob Goede is throwing his hat in the ring, sharing his burning desire to tackle the Derby before hanging up his helmet. In a recent interview, Goede got real about why this race is a must-do, tying his grassroots hustle to a dream that feels within reach.

Goede’s derby dream

When asked about the Snowball Derby, Jacob Goede didn’t hesitate: “You know that’s a … that’s a dream. The dream that I feel I have to make a reality before I retire. I just feel like my career could not be complete if I did not do that race.”

For Goede, the Derby isn’t some bucket-list whim; it’s the pinnacle, a capstone for a Late Model run packed with Midwest titles. The event’s prestige, drawing Cup names like Busch and Elliott, makes it the ultimate test, and Goede’s drive to conquer it before calling it quits shows a racer who knows what’s at stake. In 2011, Chase Elliott, the youngest winner ever, edged D.J. VanderLey in a last-lap thriller and took another in 2015 after Christopher Bell’s DQ.

“This isn’t my full-time thing, so I still need to maintain a job to try and pay for all this stuff … I want to make it happen. It’s just the right opportunities got to be there,” he said.

Goede’s juggling a day job with racing’s demands, a grind that’s the reality for many grassroots heroes. Balancing budgets and schedules to chase a Derby shot isn’t easy, but his passion shines through. It’s the kind of story that resonates, a driver scraping by, chasing the big one with everything he’s got.

John Hunter Nemechek’s 2014 win in the 47th Derby showed how the race draws national talent, blending grassroots grit with big-league polish. It’s the kind of off-season battle that sharpens edges and builds legends, a proving ground where Cup stars mix with Late Model aces under the Pensacola lights. For drivers like Nemechek, it’s a chance to flex on familiar turf, reminding fans why they’re the best.

“He’s like, ‘If I ever went to the Snowball Derby, you’re going to be my driver’ … maybe if we can run really good and win … maybe we could make something happen for the Derby,” Goede shared.

A team owner’s offer, hinging on performance, is the spark he needs. It’s classic racing, prove yourself, earn the ride. Goede’s ready to deliver, turning a “maybe” into a Derby date.

Derby tire switch boosts excitement

Goede’s Derby hunger ties to Five Flags Speedway’s big change for the December showdown. The Super Bowl of Short Track Racing is ditching the ST1 left and ST2 right tires for F45S on both sides, based on a September 3 multi-team, multi-chassis test. “At the end of the day, we feel an obligation to not just our competitors, but to our fans, to offer a platform that produces the best racing possible,” track GM Tim Bryant said.

“While the ST tire program worked well, kudos to Hoosier for continuing their efforts to develop something even better.” Bryant’s call for side-by-side racing and more passing is music to Goede’s ears.

The F45S gave drivers the feel they crave, with just the right fall-off for excitement. Hoosier’s tweaks promise a Derby where talent shines, not tire luck. For Goede, it’s the perfect stage to chase his dream, with a surface that rewards his Midwest-honed skills.