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Demo day two brings more action

REBECCA PETTINGILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
by REBECCA PETTINGILL
| August 18, 2022 3:20 PM

MOSES LAKE — The Northwest Ag Demolition Derby wrapped up day two on Wednesday, its final day of crashing, smashing and rolling at the Moses Lake Roundup Arena.

Those whose cars survived day one returned to the arena for day two along with some new faces. With a few more tipped cars than the day before, the derby saw some familiar-faced winners and a few new to success.

The winner of the ’80s demo, Christopher Johnson of Moses Lake, has been doing the demo derby for at least four years.

“It feels extremely good,” Johnson said. “I’ve been close a few times but never number one, never the trophy.”

Until now.

The 32-year-old said this isn’t the end of his derby career, even though it will be for his car he won with this year. He said he will take all the usable parts he can off of it and start over with a new vehicle.

“I don’t know if there’s a trick. I think it's just you just gotta drive, keep moving, and you got to take your shots when you can,” said Johnson. “Until you’re in the car, it's just really hard to explain what it's like to be out there running. There’s so many noises and things happening that you think the car is falling apart but as long as you’re moving.”

He tries to participate in both the Moses Lake demo and the one in Othello every year.

“I try to support the local shows,” Johnson said. “I live in Moses Lake so Moses Lake’s my home town show. It's the one I always watched as a kid, it’s the one I remember the most.”

Johnson wanted to make sure to thank the Moses Lake Roundup for putting on the show.

Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at [email protected].

Derby Day Two Results:

Heat One: Alberto Cruz

Heat Two: Cody Eilers

Heat Three: Thomas Pruneda

Heat Four: Levi Runnion

Heat Five: Weslee Kriete

Heat Six: Sara Myers

Heat Seven: Jeremy Lefave

Heat Eight: Trenton Dorsing

Heat Nine: Cameron Smith

Heat Ten: James Baker

Heat Eleven: Terry Collins

Figure Eight: Dallas White

Powder Puff One: Heidi Larsen

Powder Puff Two: Meagan Karstetter

Powder Puff Three: Brianna Daniels

Powder Puff Four: Robbie Rubio

Australian Pursuit One: Ties between Riley Miller and Brennan Olson

Australian Pursuit Two: Tie between Jason Anderson and Evan Mahn

Australian Pursuit Three: Tie between Shephard Prentice and Thomas Pruneda

Australian Pursuit Four: Chad Palmer

Australian Pursuit Five: Tie: Garrett Widme & Terry Collins

Winners Race: Thomas Pruneda

’80s Demo:

First Place - Christopher “CJ” Johnson

Second Place - Tanner Pugh

Third Place - Cody Vanderweigh

Mad Dog Winner (most aggressive) - Graham Barker

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REBECCA PETTINGILL/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

During the derby, several cars rolled or tipped over. However, no driver appeared to be seriously injured.

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REBECCA PETTINGILL/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

Dirt sprayed the crowd as cars rounded corners on the track and grazed the barrier.

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REBECCA PETTINGILL/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

CJ Johnson who won the ’80s Demo, stands atop his car holding the final race flag celebrating his win.

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