Years of near-misses and frustration ended in a satisfying way for driver Eddie Mercer at the 38th Snowball Derby on Sunday at Five Flags Speedway. The Pensacola driver had always expressed that winning the race was his ultimate goal. He completed it with a dominating victory, leading three times for 66 laps, including the final 35. It was Mercers 17th attempt to win the Snowball Derby and he claimed the Tom Dawson Trophy. Mercer also became the first driver to win from the pole position since Butch Miller did it in 1987. Last years winner, Steve Wallace [son of Rusty] finished 2nd, followed by Clay Rogers, Augie Grill, Bobby Gill, St. Amant, Ryan Crane, Cale Gale, Scott Carlson and Ronnie Sanders. For more info an results, see snowballderby.com.(12-5-2005)
