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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2016)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 27, 2016 A3 Derby drivers deliver thrills Whiskey Gulch Gang holds first pickup derby By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle I t came down to Jason Ward of Burns and Ty- ler Nodine of John Day, clashing to the bitter end at Sat- urday’s 27th annual Whiskey Gulch Gang Demolition Derby. Nodine’s ’74 Chrysler went down in fl ames, literally, after Ward, in his ’76 Cadillac, de- livered a fi nal blow. A crew jumped quickly into action to extinguish the fi re, and Ward was declared derby winner. A total of 10 vehicles took part in the fi rst and second heats, with eight returning for the Main Event, including an ’88 Mercury Topaz, driven by Sam Glerup of Baker City, which took second place in the fi rst heat. Announcer Mark Bagett dubbed the relatively smaller car “the little Topaz with a great big heart.” The event was organized by Whiskey Gulch Gang members Hugh Farrell and Dave Traylor, with a lot of behind-the-scenes help. Several people said the derby had the largest crowd they’ve seen in quite a while, with the grandstands overfl ow- ing. New this year was a pickup truck heat, held during inter- mission before the Main Event. Five pickup drivers entered that event, and Steve Patterson of Prairie City picked up the win. The Main Event payout in- creased from $1,500 last year to $2,000. Ward came away with not only the top prize for winning the derby, but also $250 for Most Aggressive Driver and $250 for winning the second heat. He also won $250 in cash from True Value in a ran- dom drawing at the start of the event. Ward said he’s competed in demolition derbies for most of his life. This is his fi fth straight year of bringing home an award from the John Day derby, he said, including second place last year. When asked what his key to winning was, Ward said it’s simple. “Have fun,” he said. “That’s the main deal, and if luck’s on your side.” He added, “My front wheel was busted up, and I lost my starter wire — you can’t tell me that’s not luck.” Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Craig Yekel of Burns, No. 20, is chased down by No. 12 Sam Glerup of Baker City at the derby. Derby cars emerge from the smoke during the Main Event. Winners of the Main Event at the Whiskey Gulch Gang’s 27th annual Demolition Derby are, from left: Tyler Nodine of John Day, second; Jason Ward of Burns, first; and Kurt Hills of Baker City, third. Tim Nodine of Canyon City in No. 00 is chased down by Steve Patterson of Prairie City in the truck derby. Steve Patterson of Prairie City is awarded for winning the pickup truck heat of Saturday’s demolition derby. Blue Mountain Eagle & Bisnett Insurance Tyler Nodine of John Day waits just moments for a crew to extinguish a fire from the final blow of his derby car. Nodine finished second at Saturday’s Whiskey Gulch Gang Demolition Derby at the Grant County Fairgrounds in John Day. Demolition Derby results: Main Event Jason Ward of Burns, fi rst ($2,000 and trophy) Tyler Nodine of John Day, second ($1,000, trophy) Kurt Hills of Baker City, third ($500, trophy) First Heat Wayne Saul of Mt. Vernon, fi rst ($250, trophy) Steve Patterson of Prairie City, second Anthony Ellis of Burns, third Second Heat Jason Ward of Burns, fi rst ($250, trophy) Craig Yekel of Burns, second Sam Glerup of Baker City, third Pickup Truck Heat Steve Patterson of Prairie City, fi rst ($250, trophy) Tim Nodine of Canyon City, second Mike Patterson of Meridian, Idaho, third Most Aggressive Driver: Jason Ward of Burns ($250, trophy) Hard Luck: Dustin Ramge (free entry for 2017 derby) Beauty Contest: Tim Nodine Door prize winners Wayne Saul, $100 Ace Hardware gift certifi cate Craig Yekel, Ace Hardware air com- pressor Mike Patterson, Ace Hardware ATV winch Jason Ward, $250 cash True Value Co-ed Couples Teams H ORSESHOE T OURNAMENT Double Elimination Bracket Play A UGUST 11 Every other Monday in John Day at Blue Mountain Hospital 170 Ford Rd. • 541-575-1311 3 33 3333333333 3 3333333333 3 333 3 3 333333 3 33 3 333 3 333 3 3 333 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 33333 3 33 AT 5:30 P . M . G RANT C OUNTY F AIRGROUNDS H ORSESHOE P ITS Must be 21 or over to play due to the location of the pits. Early sign ups are recommended. Only 14 teams. Sign up now by stopping by the Blue Mountain Eagle to fill out the registration form or at the horseshoe pit before 5:15 p.m., Aug. 11. Tournament starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. $25 ENTRY FEE PER TEAM All entry money awarded to the top three places of the tournament, with an added $100 CASH PRIZE by the Eagle & Bisnett Insurance. For more information or to sign up, contact Marissa Williams at the Eagle, 541-575-0710.