12/06/2008
2008 Snowball Derby
Race:
It all started off according to plan for 18 year-old Mitch Cobb in today's Snowball Derby. Mitch got the jump on the field starting from the front row and led the 41-car field across the stripe to lead his first ever lap run in the Snowball Derby. However his car suddenly slowed a bit, caused by a "tight" handling condition as he slid backwards through the field as far back as 16th at one point in the race.
Eventually after pitstops for new tires and changes to the cars settings he was able to start charging back through the field, passing numerous drivers in the process. He worked himself up to the 7th position before the second round of pitstops began. With new tires yet again on his racecar Mitch set his sights on running towards the front with 100 laps remaining.
On lap 203 as Mitch and the #39 car of Ryan Sieg ran side by side through turns 3 & 4 Mitch was hit from behind by pole-sitter #82 Grant Enfinger. The resulting contact forced Mitch up against Sieg on the frontstretch and Enfinger tried to make it three wide going into turn one. Enfinger carelessly rammed into the side of Mitch and the back of #84 Wayne Anderson at the same time. The hit turned Mitch once again into Sieg and then hard head-on into the turn 1 concrete wall. The contact dazed Mitch for a moment as he took his time coming out of the racecar, thankfully unhurt.
Anderson got out of his car quickly and understandibly very mad and immediately went after anyone he could find related to the #82 car. Mitch maintained his poise but was still visibly upset by being crashed out so violently.
"My car is destroyed. The incident was avoidable, he (Enfinger) just choose not to." Said a dejected Cobb afterwards. "If he wanted by that bad all he had to do was wait one lap until the #39 and I weren't side by side. I will be sore tomorrow, I'm sure of that."
Mitch was eventually credited with a 27th place finish in the 41st Snowball Derby that was won for the second year in a row by Augie Grill.
We will be adding photos from the race during the week on www.mitchcobbracing.com
Qualifying:
Some 60 cars have made their way to Pensacola to try and win the 41st annual Snowball Derby. After qualifying and heat races the field is set and Mitch Cobb has qualified off-pole in the second position. It will be Mitch's fourth front row starting spot in a row.
The race will begin on Sunday at 2 PM and will be watched by more than 10,000 people in person and listened on the radio and internet.
"This is the big one and I am ready for this moment," Said Mitch after qualifying Friday evening. "So far so good, we have to be patient and be there for all 300 laps. I'm not sure anyone really can understand how bad I want this win, I am going to give it my all."
Mitch would like to thank his team for such great preparation and to his sponsors Bill Elliott Driver Development, Southern Waters Outfitters, Charter Boat Intimidator, Charter Boat Necessity, Thunder on the Gulf, and The Marine Group for their tremendous support during the Snowball Derby.
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