Josh Hamner established himself as one of the top Super Late Model drivers in the southeast by winning Five Flags Speedway's Blizzard Series Championship earlier this year.

This weekend he has the chance to get national attention by winning the 41st annual Snowball Derby on Sunday.

Hamner's attempt to win the Derby will start with qualifying tonight.

The 21-year-old Chelsea, Ala., native comes from a racing family and has been coming to the Snowball Derby for most of his life. He knows how big this race is.

"It's the race you grow up dreaming about winning and you base your entire season on," Hamner said. "We've worked all year to come down to Pensacola and win the Snowball Derby."

Qualifying for the Derby is crucial. With more than 60 drivers entered, just making the 38-car Derby field could be challenging. But Hamner has some extra breathing room. He is guaranteed a provisional starting spot by virtue of being the Blizzard Series champion.

"It takes a lot of pressure off, knowing that we're in no matter what," Hamner said. "We've been able to work on getting faster in practice and not just making the race. I can drive a lot harder (in qualifying) knowing that even if I mess up, we're still in the race."

Hamner has considerable momentum going into the Derby. He won the Blizzard Series opener at Five Flags in March and recorded three more top-five finishes on his way to winning the championship.

His only non top-five finish was an eighth in the fourth series race. He ran near the front for most of that race before getting caught in a late wreck.

"Winning the Blizzard Series was big," Hamner said. "It definitely has us pumped up for this weekend. We'll take a lot of what we've learned this season and use it for the Derby. We've worked pretty much all year to get ready for this race."

Hamner also will be competing Saturday in the Pro Late Model portion of the Derby, the Allen Turner Snowflake 100. With even more entries than the Derby, Hamner believes it could be even harder to win the Snowflake.

"There's a lot of good drivers here for the Snowflake, too," Hamner said. "I think we've got a good shot at winning it. I'm excited about it. We've got a good car and should be close."

Of course Hamner would like to win both races, but the Snowball Derby is the one he really wants. It would solidify his place as a Late Model racer and could boost his chances of making it to the next level in his career.

"Winning the Derby would be huge," Hamner said. "It's a big stage to be on. It alone doesn't make your career as a driver, but it definitely doesn't hurt. Everyone knows who you are if you win the Derby. That's how big this race is."