CRASH! Demolition derby always draws crowd at fair
Published 11:36 am Thursday, July 19, 2018
The events at last week’s Jessamine County Fair attracted many people, including Wednesday night’s Demolition Derby, presented by Young N Wreckless Promotions.
Prize money was awarded for both large and small cars including $1,000 for first place, $400 for second place and $100 for third place in each category.
Rules vary, although typically the event consists of five or more drivers competing to be the last car to make a hit by deliberately ramming their vehicle into one another.
Randy Greenwell, of Lexington, won first place in the big car event last Wednesday and has participated in many Demolition Derbies over the last 20 years. Starting to compete when he was 15-years-old, Greenwell said he originally got involved just for the fun of it.
“I’ve done it all, but I like this better,” Greenwell said. “I get to tear up someone else’s stuff. Wheels are the strategy. You take someone’s wheels away and they cannot drive.”
A.J. Curtsinger, of Harrodsburg, took home third place in the big car event, with Justin Gaffney, of Lancaster, taking home second place in the big car event. Curtsinger has competed for the last 12 years, and although he started off dirt racing, he transitioned into the Demolition Derby because it was more affordable.
“(You) just go out there and sometimes you land on the floorboard and try and kill whatever is in front of you and sometimes you try and lay low and come home with some money and have a lot of fun,” Curtsinger said. “A lot of people run a Ford because the body and frame are a little bit better than a Chevrolet. Although Chevrolet running gear is typically better than a Ford. I’d rather dirt race, but that has gotten way too out of hand money wise. This here is still affordable.”
In the event of the mini car, Timmy Estess, of Wilmore, won first place; Bradley Tussey, of Lawrenceburg, won second-place; and Brad Tussey, of Lawrenceburg took home third place.
Brad is a third-generation Demolition Derby competitor. Racing in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Brad said he became involved years ago after his father started competing.
“It is just a family event for us,” Brad said. “I have two boys that do it full time and we made pretty good money last year.”
Brad’s daughter, Paige Smith, was in attendance last Wednesday with fellow female competitor Erin Young. Young won her first Demolition Derby three weeks prior in Scott County, where she took home second place.
“We know how to run because we watch our guys run. The biggest cheerleaders become the best drivers, I think,” Young said.
Shawn McCollum, owner of Young N Wreckless Promotions, encourages everyone to come out and get involved or watch a competition.
“If you’re not in the driver’s seat then you’re on the edge of the bleachers,” McCollum said. “It’s the cheapest thrill you’ll ever get.”
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