Thermopolis drivers dominate derby

Posted 7/30/19

Family members Chase and Luke Mead of Thermopolis were the last two drivers still moving in the limited-weld class finals — the grand finale of the Park County Fair demolition derby. When the …

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Thermopolis drivers dominate derby

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Family members Chase and Luke Mead of Thermopolis were the last two drivers still moving in the limited-weld class finals — the grand finale of the Park County Fair demolition derby. When the contest ended without a bang, the crowd erupted in a chorus of boos.

Chase was punishing in his 1976 Buick Riviera. In heat 2 of the class, he met Alex Wilk head-on in a massive collision, buckling the front end of Wilk’s car. Rescue squads were immediately called for assistance, pulling Wilk from the car.

Chase Mead has only been in the derby circuit for about two years. The win at the main grandstand Saturday night was his first career victory, complete with a fat check. Yet he’s been building derby cars for years, including uncle Luke’s car. “I build all of our cars,” Chase said.

Luke has been driving for years and recently took second place at the Lovell derby. He was handing out his share of licks as well, also being involved in a hit in the final that required extrication by Powell firefighters. But as the final two cars prepared to square off, Luke couldn’t get moving. “My throttle cable broke right off the bat,” he said.

All Chase had to do for the win was tap his uncle. The move wasn’t popular with the crowd and several were heard complaining about “team driving,” which is against the rules on the derby circuit.

In the truck final, Tyler Heimann, Brad Becerra and Reagan Severance took turns pounding Powell’s Preston Blankenship until he was disabled. Blankenship won the truck division in last year’s fair derby and was driving the same 1979 Ford. He took one hit after another from his three competitors and seemed to be targeted by the trio.

In the end, Heimann, of Thermopolis, took one last arena run at the other three drivers as they were hung up in the northeast corner. His final hit sealed the victory. It was Heimann’s first career derby win, but he was so shaky at the end of the contest he didn’t even realize he had won.

Heimann was driving Becerra’s truck and, combined with Severance, are all good friends.

“We weren’t trying to team too much,” he said. “It’s kind of hard not to when you have three friends out there.”

Despite complaints from the crowd and a few drivers, no fouls were called for team driving. However, one driver was disqualified for a hit on a driver’s side door. That enabled Travis Gillett to make the limited-weld finals.

(Editor's note: This version corrects the name of the driver who received medical attention.)

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