Demolition Derby packs grandstands

The Hot Springs County Fairgrounds were filled to overflowing last Saturday for the biggest event of the summer, the Annual Demolition Derby, sponsored by the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.

There were enough drivers to have three main heats, the top two winners moving on to the winners heat, the losers moving down to the losers heat, a Herbie Derby, Truck Derby and new this year, a Power Wheels Derby.

This year's winners were:

1st – Travis Long, $4,000

2nd – Zack Larson, $1,000

3rd – Cory Bowman, $700

4th – Pat King, $500

Truck Derby

1st – Brad Becerra, $1,500

2nd – William Kawlewski, $750

3rd – Alan Woodward, $500

Women's Herby

1st – Taylor Sprigg, $500

2nd – Chelsie Flinn, $250

3rd – Heather Bowman, $150

The winner of the prettiest car contest was Pat King and the Mad Dog award was given to Travis Long ($250).

One of the best heats of the night was the Power Wheels Derby which pitted the littlest derby fans against each other with their battery powered cars.

A balloon was attached to each fender and bumper and the tykes were turned loose. Cars were considered out when each balloon was broke.

All 21 of the Power Wheels participants received a ribbon, but the overall winner, Mason Lunbeck, received $25 in Chamber Bucks.