Demo Derby concludes for 2026

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Round Up Miner Services Demolition Derby came to an exciting conclusion Wednesday night as a new demolition champion was named. When the dust settled, Travis Jaeger earned glory with the last car standing on the second day of the derby. 

“(I feel) awesome,” said Jaeger. “It’s been a few years coming.” 

Wednesday night’s competition featured 12 cars in the arena who all started parked next to each other. From the jump the competition became intense as drivers either reversed to get some distance on their opposition before revving up to slam into them or immediately hit the gas and tried to push their opponent out of the arena. 

Jaeger fell into some trouble early on as his car was pushed onto the barrier where his opponent was persistent in pushing him over the edge. Eventually another car slammed into the two of them which allowed Jaeger to get back into the brawl. 

Vehicles held tough throughout the demo as drivers pushed themselves to the limits as axles broke and tires and wheels began to fly.  

At one point one of the engines caught fire which put a stop to the race. While the driver was checked, found to be unharmed by the flames and even started his car back up to continue the battle, eventually flames would begin to come out and he would be eliminated from the competition. 

The starting 12 cars then quickly dwindled down to the final two opponents which became a battle of engine power as both cars pushed headfirst into one another. Eventually Jaeger overpowered his competition and was named the winner. 

“Chaos,” said Jaeger. “I just hoped to be the last car running.” 

Jaeger said he had participated in the demo derby since he was young but has been steady in competing since 2017. His love for the demo comes from just the act of building the car and getting it up and running in time for the competition each year. 

“Just the thrill of the build, the hard work, the different ideas,” he said. “When it all comes together and works like it did tonight that’s awesome.” 

Leading up to the demolition, the night once again featured a committee-choice charity race, heat, powder puff, Australian pursuit and limited weld races. Each race featured high levels of competition as each driver looked for glory in the arena. 

One young racer, 20-year-old Maddisyn Cobb, has stuck out in recent years as she took first in one of the powder puff races last year and did it again Tuesday and Wednesday night of the demo derby this year. 

“My dad did demo derby when I was growing up,” said Cobb. “It just got me into it watching as a kid and then eventually getting my own car and building it.” 

The 2026 demo derby marks Cobb’s third year of competing in the demo derby and second year with her current car. Along with winning the powder puff races this year, Cobb also competed in one of the men’s heat races, where she earned second. 

Cobb said her ability to grow so fast with racing and compete at such a high level comes from the support she receives from her family. 

“My family has been a big help mentally, a lot with the car as well and just getting out there and having the mindset that even though people say it’s a guy’s sport, you can get out there as a girl,” she said. 

Overall, she has enjoyed participating in the demo derby each year as it not only is a fun activity, but it also brings her family together as she races alongside her sister Kashlynn Cobb, won an Australian Pursuit.  

“It doesn’t matter if you win; it’s just fun,” said Cobb. 

She said her plans are to start competing in more demo derbies outside of the area but is still looking forward to continuing racing at the Miner Services Demo in Moses Lake each year. 

“It’s fun to get out here, support your local community and see all the people in the grandstands,” said Cobb. 

Second Day Results 

Charity Race – Riley Miller – 94 

Heat Race 1 – Tyler Marchand – 172 

Heat Race 2 – Maylon Koehn – 49 

Heat Race 3 – Evan Mahn – 199 

Heat Race 4 – Breana Daniels - 180 

Heat Race 5 – Joseph Baskin – 198 

Heat Race 6 – Jade Griffith – 182 

Heat Race 7 – Brad Morrison – 48 

Heat Race 8 – Dustin Caldwell – 179 

Heat Race 9 –Byren Dowers – 807 

Heat Race 10 – Chad Palmer – 99 

Truck Race – Robert Valdovinos – 128 

Powder Puff 1 – Heidi Larsen – 182 

Powder Puff 2 – Mackenzi Moeller – 35 

Powder Puff 3 – Breana Daniels – 180 

Powder Puff 4 – Madissyn Cobb – 7 

Aussie 1 – Maylon Koehn – 49 and Chad Palmer – 99 

Aussie 2 – Austin Cox – 20 and Matthew Sligar – 141 

Aussie 3 – Rylie Miller – 94 and Cameron Zabala – 2 

Aussie 4 – Kameron Dockins – 734 

Aussie 5 – Bryce Colins – 25 and Kody Eilers – 34 

Aussie 6 – Kashlynn Cobb – 11 

Truck Aussie – Tommy Pruneda – 731 and Dakota Kok – 21 

Winners Race – Byren Dowers – 807 

Demo Derby – Travis Jaeger – 1  

    Maddisyn Cobb stands next to her car after winning her powder puff race Wednesday night.
  

    During a charity race Wednesday evening, Rylie Miller in car 94 drifts along the dusty track.
  

    Byren Dowers in car 807 speeds ahead of the competition during a heat race Wednesday evening.
  

    Travis Jaeger found himself in a tight spot early on in the demolition event as his opponent had him up against the barrier. Another competitor slammed into the mix and Jaeger was able to get free and win it all.
  

    The Dustin Caldwell car 179 keeps himself in the running after being turned around as he drives at full speed in reverse to stay just ahead of Wade Visker in car 6 during one of the Australian Pursuit.