Demo Derby delivers dirty diversion

Fans flock to fun free-for-all

Dirt sprayed the crowd. Cars smacked into the monster tires and each other. And the packed house cheered the whole way.

Yes, Wednesday night's Demolition Derby at the Grant County Fairground was a success again, Rob Weber, president of Moses Lake Roundup, said.

"It was great," Weber said of the event.

Before the derby began, a short ceremony was held to honor members of the military, including Spec. Jeremiah Schmunk, a Moses Lake-based soldier who was killed in Iraq.

About 130 cars entered the preliminary heat races, where winners took home $60, second place finishers $40 and third place finishers $20.

The heats featured a few stoppages of action when cars flipped over, and drivers needed rescue. In one such fender bender, driver Joe Nelson's car was crushed when another ramped atop it while taking a corner.

Nelson was not injured, but emergency personnel had to bring out the Jaws of Life to cut him out of his vehicle.

In the derby, about 60 cars enter the arena and must continue moving to remain in the competition.

When the dust cleared, Gene Ottmar took home the $1,000 first-place prize, Brandon Rodeback finished second and Michael Koon was third.

Pasco's Tony Garcia was awarded the best appearing car.