Fans in the Greeley Stampede Arena were ready for some carnage on Monday as the annual demolition derby roared onto the dirt track, drawing in drivers from around Weld County, across Colorado and from other states to claim championship titles and stuff their pockets with cash prizes. The demolition derby is hands-down one of the best selling shows in the Greeley Stampede’s arsenal of arena events. While organizers over the years may have questioned whether a certain musical artist or rodeo event would sell out the arena, the demolition derby has proved to be a fan favorite, packing the grandstands year after year. Vehicles compete during the Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Greeley Stampede Arena in Greeley, Colo. (Tanya B. Fabian for Greeley Tribune) So what’s all the hype about with the demolition derby? It’s the nonstop action, sense of danger and expecting the unexpected that has many fans filling the grandstands on July Fourth for the event, explained Dennis Mueller. Mueller and his family of six drove from Laramie, Wyoming, to attend the Greeley Stampede, but more specifically, attend the Greeley Stampede on demolition derby day. “You know, it’s just crazy to watch these guys out there in these beat-up cars welded together smashing the hell out of each other on the track,” Mueller said. “You never know what’s going to happen, and it’s different every year.” While most fans don’t want to see any harm come to drivers, it’s hard to deny that when a flame or two spurts out of an engine or a car gets rolled on its side or top, the crowd explodes with excitement. “Yeah, it’s kind of fun when there’s flames. I don’t like to admit that, because I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but it does add something to the whole thing,” Mueller said, laughing. Driver Sterling Wolfe speaks with Nash Hunteman, 3, after the completion of her race at the Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Greeley Stampede Arena in Greeley, Colo. (Tanya B. Fabian for Greeley Tribune) The Stampede’s demolition derby is produced by Modern Day Gladiator Promotions and consists of modified, limited weld and stock. All glass — front window, side windows, rear window — headlights and taillights must be removed prior to the competition. Cars must be free of junk and spare tires, and airbags must be removed. All doors as well as the trunk must be chained, welded or wired closed to prevent them from opening during the match. Drivers must also wear a helmet and seat belt when competing in the derby. During the derby, drivers ram their vehicle into their competitors with a goal of disabling the competition’s car. Drivers can hit other cars going forward or in reverse, and they must try to not directly ram the driver’s side door. While hitting a driver’s side door does happen every now and then, it can be grounds for disqualification.The last car that is still operational wins the match. In addition to the different class matches, the competition also offers a Mad Dog Award, which goes to the driver who gives the audience the most exciting or spectacular show during their match. A vehicle is removed from the dirt track after the end of a race during the Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Greeley Stampede Arena in Greeley, Colo.(Tanya B. Fabian for Greeley Tribune) Albert McCombs from Pueblo had planned to go “mad dog” in honor of his son, Jon McCombs, who died this past December. The elder McCombs was scheduled to run in the second heat in the stock competition. “This is the second year on this car. We put a new motor and new transmission in it since last year,” McCombs said. “My son always went in for the Mad Dog Award, so this year I’m going for Mad Dog every derby I go to.” The derby features a $35,000 purse that is spread out across the different class matches as well as winners receiving Otter Box coolers and custom plaques. One of the most exciting, and comical, parts of the demolition derby is that of the RV match. Think of your grandparent’s or Cousin Eddie’s old school Winnebago, minus the interior and windows. Add a roll cage, a crazy driver and some colorful spray paint and you have a demolition derby-ready RV. This year, the Stampede had 15 RV entries for the match — a first in the demolition derby’s history. With some of the RVs measuring in at 40 feet and longer, organizers had to hold the event in two different matches so the large bulky vehicles would have room to maneuver around the track. Vehicles compete during the Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Greeley Stampede Arena in Greeley, Colo. (Tanya B. Fabian for Greeley Tribune) The RVs typically take the track last since there is so much debris and parts flung across the arena floor it would be hard to get everything cleaned up for the other matches to progress, said Terry Frank, organizer of the derby. The large smattering of debris is also why the Stampede hosts the demolition derby on the last day of the annual season, added Stampede Grounds Chairman Jeff Reck. Things like screws, nuts, bolts, pieces of metal, plastic and other materials that may be knocked off derby cars could pose a safety risk for rodeo athletes and animals. If you missed the demolition derby at the 100th Greeley Stampede, don’t sweat it, the derby and drivers will be back in 2023 to spray more dirt and debris across the arena floor. Members of the crowd watch the Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the Greeley Stampede Arena in Greeley, Colo. (Tanya B. Fabian for Greeley Tribune) And if you just can’t wait until 2023 for a smashing good time, check out the Adams County Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5 at the United Power Grandstand Arena, 9755 Henderson Road, Building 1, Brighton. Tickets for the derby are $20 for guests 13 and older and $10 for kids 3-12. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3NJpldw.
Action-seeking fans pack the arena for annual Greeley Stampede Demolition Derby
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