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Smash It derby a big hit at the Fair

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XENIA — With the capacity crowd roaring its approval with every big hit, the annual Smash It demolition derby was once again a big hit of its own, Monday night July 29 at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

From an opening 22-car Power Wheel demolition derby for the youngsters, to Smash It events involving full-size sedans, drivers from around the region provided plenty of excitement and lots of sparks.

The Power Wheels event left all 22 kids’ cars a little worse for wear, but each driver was happy to leave the Chip Noble Memorial Racetrack’s front stretch with a shiny new trophy.

The big kids then began the night with a battle of souped up riding lawnmowers. Quinten Adams, of Washington Court House ended his battle with Xenia’s Austin Burrell with a jarring hit that completely knocked Burrell’s machine’s engine off its frame.

The crowd shouted its appreciation with each hard hit.

Another Washington Court House driver — R.J. Shiltz — claimed the win in the Smash It Mini Cars with a solid battle against fellow WCH driver Austin Joseph, with Celina’s Matt Toler finishing third.

Fourteen cars lined up just for the first heat of the Street Stock Compact division’s derby.

The car driven by Jamestown’s Charlie Richards appeared to have working tail lights when the event began, but by the time things ended the lights were working but there was no tail end of the car left to light! Richards later drew the only red flag of the Street Stock event when his mangled car went up in flames.

Moments later, Brandon Pinkerton of New Vienna piled into Sabina driver Austin Bronner’s machine in the southwest corner of the infield pen. Pinkerton’s machine aptly smashed Bronner’s 13X car into the concrete corner barriers, bending the car into a C shape and ending the competition.

After the race, Pinkerton climbed through the empty front windshield area of his car and stood on its hood in celebration while the machine smoked and steamed. Pinkerton then went over to congratulate Bronner for a good match, and the two drivers gave each other a congratulatory hug.

A second heat of the Street Stock Compact cars, and several heats of the full-size cars were contested well into the evening, but too late in the evening to meet our deadline. It’s pretty certain that more metal mangling fun was had in the evening sessions as well.

Brandon Pinkerton of New Vienna celebrates with the Greene County Fairgrounds crowd after winning the first heat of the Street Stock Compact division, Monday July 29 during the annual Smash It demolition derby in Xenia.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2019/07/web1_BrandonPinkertonNV_PS.jpgBrandon Pinkerton of New Vienna celebrates with the Greene County Fairgrounds crowd after winning the first heat of the Street Stock Compact division, Monday July 29 during the annual Smash It demolition derby in Xenia. John Bombatch | Greene County News

While the tail lights were still working for the Smash It demolition derby machine of Jamestown’s Charlie Richards, there was no tail left to light, Monday night during the opening heat of the Street Stock Compact event at the Greene County Fair in Xenia.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2019/07/web1_CharlieRichardsLights_PS.jpgWhile the tail lights were still working for the Smash It demolition derby machine of Jamestown’s Charlie Richards, there was no tail left to light, Monday night during the opening heat of the Street Stock Compact event at the Greene County Fair in Xenia. John Bombatch | Greene County News

New Vienna’s Brandon Pinkerton (25) delivers the final blow to the 13X car driven by Austin Bronner of Sabina, during the Smash It demolition derby, July 29 at the Greene County Fair in Xenia.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2019/07/web1_FinalBlow_PS.jpgNew Vienna’s Brandon Pinkerton (25) delivers the final blow to the 13X car driven by Austin Bronner of Sabina, during the Smash It demolition derby, July 29 at the Greene County Fair in Xenia. John Bombatch | Greene County News

By John Bombatch

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Contact John Bombatch at 937-372-4444, Ext. 2123.