×

Demolition derby tears down the house at ND State Fair

James Jackson/MDN The compact cars steal the show on Monday night in front of a crowd of over 6,000 that turned out for the first demolition derby at the North Dakota State Fair in over ten years.

In the grandstands of the North Dakota State Fairgrounds on Monday, it was hard to discern what was more revved up for the night’s impending chaos: the raucous fans in attendance or the motors of the various vehicles and their drivers taking place in the symphony of automotive destruction.

Returning to the lineup of events taking place at the state fair after a period of absence, the demolition derby returned in full force this year to usher in a week packed with sports and sports-related competitions at the North Dakota State Fair. Always a fan favorite, the level of excitement and anticipation surrounding the demolition derby was palpable, with its unpredictable nature sending the spectators into overdrive.

Oversimplified, demolition derby is a sport in which the sole premise is to be the last running car in the wake of an automotive battle royal. Yet, not to be underappreciated in the demolition derby experience is the pageantry permeating the event. No two cars are the same, each sporting an array of eccentric decals, eye-catching paint jobs, and an occasional sponsorship or two adorning the oft-battered body.

However, in light of the multitude of inherent dangers associated with demolition derby, safety measures are ever-present and strictly enforced in the sport. Any car participating in the competition must undergo and pass a preliminary inspection by judges before being allowed a spot in the field.

Sam Crowell, the promoter for Monday’s demolition derby, has experience not just behind the scenes, but in the driver’s seat as well. Working in some capacity with the demolition derby since 2005, Crowell emphasized his excitement about bringing the sport back to Minot.

“The last demolition derby here in Minot was back in 2008, I believe. So it’s been over ten years. If all goes well tonight, they want to keep it going.”

Crowell added, “There’s a lot of room to grow, but like I said, this is going to be a heck of a show tonight.”

Affirming Crowell’s prediction, the event kicked off with a literal “bang” during the first heat of the Limited World Class tournament. Jaime Kegley, Garren Counts, and Austin Mastvelton qualified to compete in the final heat for the grand prize by being the last three cars in running condition to finish the round. Counts was also awarded the Mad Dog Award for the heat.

During all of Limited World Class heats, the driver with the most spectacular hit as designated by the judges takes home the Mad Dog Award and a $100 payday.

According to Crowell, the Mad Dog Award “gives the guys a little incentive to put a show on for the crowds.”

After the conclusion of the second and third heats, Aaron Gunville, D.J. Gunville, Jeff “Big Daddy” Christman, Michael Morin, T.J. Davis, and Jason Hiatt advanced to compete for the grand prize.

Christman and Chris Flannery would take the Mad Dog Award for the heats.

Yet, before the final heat of the Limited World Class Tournament, the ten car Compact Division would compete in a one heat, winner-takes-all battle to decide their winner. To the surprise of the fans, they would put on a show that no one in attendance will soon forget.

After a clash that saw the cars taken to their mechanical limits, Tyler Getzlaff and his Olds Cutlass would take the win, followed by a second-place finish for Ron Neibaver, and a third-place finish for Alyssa Monson.

In addition to taking third place, Monson would also claim the compact division’s Mad Dog Award.

For the night’s grand finale and the Limited World Class championship, the drivers came out of the gate hot, with a bevy of bone-rattling collisions and competitors being eliminated quickly.

When the smoke finally cleared, Garren Counts would come away with the first-place trophy, along with Jeff “Big Daddy” Christman taking home a $500 prize for earning the Mad Dog Award.

Summing up Monday’s evening of automotive mayhem, Crowell admitted, “There’s nothing more exciting than going out here and performing legalized road rage for the fans. That’s basically what this is.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today