Hunter Robbins Uses Maturity And Experience For Snowball Derby Run

16-Year-Old Falls Out Late After Strong Race Up Towards The Front

Hunter Robbins knew the significance of winning during the Snowball Derby weekend.  Just two years ago, 14-year-old Robbins won the Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model race.  This time around, Robbins used patience and maturity to attempt to win the 40th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL).  While he had one of the best cars on the track, unfortunately a transmission issue late in the event took Robbins from a winning car to out of the race.

“We probably had a car that was definitely capable of winning,” said Robbins.  “I know we had a top five car for sure.”

Robbins was able to make it into the field by qualifying 26th and had to work his way up through the pack towards the front.  Once he got in sight of the leaders, he was looking towards the win until the transmission gave out on him.

“We didn’t have such a good qualifying result, but we did make it,” said Robbins. “We gained a lot of track position and no one could really pass in the back.  We were just as fast as the leaders.  Once everyone got on equal tires we were coming up to the front.

“We didn’t have such a good qualifying result, but we did make it,” said Robbins. “We gained a lot of track position and no one could really pass in the back.  We were just as fast as the leaders.  Once everyone got on equal tires we were coming up to the front.

“I heard a racket underneath the car around lap 160.  They said it was probably a piece of sheet metal under the car so I didn’t worry about it.  I went down into the corner after we had moved up into fifth or so and it just cut off.  I knew it was the transmission. Something pretty big broke inside of it.”

In 2006, Robbins attempted to win the Snowball Derby, ended up wrecked in the process of his own doing.  This year, a more mature Robbins was patient on the track and after the event was proud of the showing he and his team had in this year’s event.

“I have learned a lot this year,” explained Robbins.  “Last year we got involved in an earlier incident that was really my fault.  This year I was a lot more patient picking my way though the field.  I realized that I had to make it to the finish to win.  With 50 laps or so to go we were there.  If you are there at the end of this race you have a chance at winning it.

“It is very disappointing, but we had a fast car and my crew did an awesome job.  It is good momentum going off into the winter.  We know we had a car capable of winning and we were running fourth or fifth when we did break.  It is good.”

Hunter Robbin's 2007 racing season has completed.  Stay tuned for more information on Robbins' 2008 racing schedule coming soon.