Demo Derby introduces first-ever compact event

The Northwest Ag Demolition Derby kicked off the Moses Lake Roundup events Tuesday night with dust and smoke flying inside the arena at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

After taking care of time trials and opening ceremonies, the first of two nights of demolition began with the Trophy Dash. Riley Sundberg in the 977 car took the top spot.

Dillon Tucker, Josue Garza, Brian Melbye, Kirk Baker, Dusty Carlson, Jake Sligar, Steve Martinez and Chris Budua took first-place finishes in their respective heat races on Tuesday night.

In the truck race, one of two new events premiering at the Northwest Ag Demolition Derby this year, Lane Lohe took first place in his No. 8 truck Tuesday night. Tracy Coburn and Kaylee Erickson both took first place finishes in the Powder Puff races.

Brian Melbye in the No. 15 car took first place in the first of two Australian Pursuit events on Tuesday, with Tanner Pugh taking first in the second pursuit.

Kyle Sieg took first in the truck Australian Pursuit after finishing third in the truck race.

After taking first place in his heat race and in the Australian Pursuit, Brian Melbye capped his evening with a first-place finish in the Donnie Merrill Memorial Race, pitting winners from all of the heat races against one another in the final precursor to the main event Tuesday night.

In the first-year of holding a compact car demolition derby, Kyle Lewis walked away as the champion. Trevor Young finished second, and Sean McCullough finished third.

Mike Bise, with the Demo Committee for the Moses Lake Roundup, said he expected a few more drivers for the truck races, but understands that a lot of truck racers locally are farmers and are busy with harvest.

Despite that, he said he has already had a lot of people reach out and express interest in building trucks for next year. With the compact derby, he said there was good turnout, and the event lasted a pretty good length of time.

“There’s a lot of interest in it now,” Bise said. “Everybody has a $100 compact car laying in their backyard, and a lot of people thought that was awesome.”

Bise said there was a local driver competing for the first time who told him he had a blast. So far, he said he’s heard nothing but positive things about the first of two nights of demolition.

Having a chance to honor Donnie Merrill with the first of two memorial races on Tuesday was pretty important for him, Bise said.

“He was a big person in this town,” Bise said. “From when I was a little, tiny kid, Donnie Merrill was at the demos, he was an announcer, he was driving – everything.”

After wrapping up on Tuesday night, Bise said most drivers were excited to come back for another night of exhilaration on Wednesday. He said he expected anywhere from 25 to 30 more cars competing on Wednesday.