Elliott Gets Snowball Derby Win After Bell DQ’d

PENSACOLA, FL – Chase Elliott was pronounced winner of the 48th annual Snowball Derby Sunday evening after Chris Bell, who crossed the finish line first, was disqualified during post-race inspection. Elliott had finished second earlier followed by Zane Smith, who moved into the second spot after Bell’s DQ. Ty Majeski was third in the official rundown.

Ironically, Elliott was in the same spot as Bell just two years ago when was disqualified from his first-place finish, with the win going to Erik Jones.

Bell’s car was found to be 0.3% too heavy on the left side, in violation of the 58% rule (with zero tolerance). His Kyle Busch Motorsports team argued that the extra weight was due to fuel burn-off and picking up extra rubber on the track when he did a reverse direction victory lap. That being the case the tech crew felt his team should have allowed for extra weight during the setup, or cautioned their driver against excessive celebrations with the car after crossing the line. According to chief tech inspector Ricky Brooks it wasn’t the first time the KBM cars had problems on the scales over the weekend.

Team owner Kyle Busch responded to the DQ via his Twitter account with “DQ. Sounds about right. Thanks Ricky, love u too.”

Bell had been disqualified after setting fast time Friday night in time trials then came from the back to win Saturday’s Last Chance Race.

Pictou, Nova Scotia’s King Racing finished the race in 16th-place with Maine’s Cassius Clark at the helm.

OFFICIAL SNOWBALL DERBY RESULTS

Showing finish, starting spot, drvier name, laps completed.