Watching demolition derby drivers attempt to cause as much damage to their competition’s cars as possible can be tough on mothers.

What could be tougher? Going up against your children in the same event, said Sherry Senn.

At Saturday’s Smashtoberfest at the Park County Fairgrounds, Sherry faced both of her sons, Mark and Josh, in the truck derby. She was motivated — wanting to get her sons back for all the years of unpleasant chores mothers end up doing.

“I kicked both of their butts and I had fun doing it,” Sherry said.

It was the first derby Sherry had run in almost 20 years.

“I took a hiatus and then decided I wanted to derby with my boys,” she said.

Looking across the arena at his mother, Mark said he went against all his instincts, which were to take it easy on mom. Little did he know he would be on the defensive throughout the event — ultimately losing the transmission in his pink Ford.

As five competitors watched from immobilized vehicles, Sherry gave Mark a couple last shots. Realizing she was the last truck standing, Sherry threw her arms in the air in victory as smoke filled the cabin of her SUV. Then she climbed on the hood of the Tahoe and celebrated in front of the hometown fans until both sons climbed up for a group hug.

It was a touching moment for all involved. Finishing second, Mark said, was a consolation prize compared to being in the ring with his mother.

“It was awesome. To be out there with my mom was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” he said.

Sherry plans to come back next year.

During the derby at the Park County Fair, only three trucks entered, but the class was full at Smashtoberfest. Trucks are catching on, according to Skip Hart, who helped build Preston Blankenship’s 79 Ford F-250.

“I’m excited about having much more competition. There’s always trucks available out there.”

Blankenship was involved in a massive collision that overturned his truck. Powell firefighters rushed in, assisting with Blankenship’s escape from and righting the truck before the rest of the event played out.

Melina McIntosh had watched her husband, Clint, and son, Kyle, run in derbies for years and got into the arena herself.

Melina’s time in the arena was an adrenaline rush, she said, but Saturday night brought a new experience: Her youngest child, daughter Karlina, made her debut in the sport as Melina watched stoically from the sidelines.

“It’s a family affair,” Melina said.

It’s not “Leave it to Beaver” type of family together time, but the McIntoshes aren’t your average family of four. Kyle won the Park County Fair derby last summer and the family also does drag racing. His tow truck broke down on the way to the derby from Greybull or Melina might have seen her children duking it out in the arena. Kyle didn’t want to miss his sister’s debut, so he thumbed a ride and borrowed a truck to make it to the fairgrounds before Karlina’s debut.

But more concerning for Melina than breakdowns on the highway and a night of intentional motor vehicle collisions, is Karlina’s military deployment in spring.

“I’ve known about the deployment for a while, but as it gets closer I’m getting more nervous,” Melina said.

Inspired by Brendan Laird, a high school friend who was enlisting, Karlina joined the military after Laird lost his life in a motor vehicle accident before his senior year. Karlina is now a medic in the Wyoming Army National Guard. She ships out next May to one of the hot spot regions of the Middle East.

Karlina ran in the first heat, but lost a tire and was out before she was able to mix it up much. Then she came back for the grudge match to attempt to qualify for the finals. Winning the grudge match, Karlina’s spirits were running high.

“Once I made my first hit, I was good from there,” she said.

In the finals, Karlina was running good, making and taking huge hits from the night’s best drivers. But with four cars still running in the 10-car final, she lost reverse and ended up stuck against a barrier.

Chad Dietz won the main event, a repeat champion in Powell after winning the fair derby in 2017. Dietz is from Powell originally, but now works in Williston, North Dakota. He took home the top prize of $3,000.