Two share combine demolition derby crown

Two new names emerged at the top of the winners’ list from the 24th Annual Combine Demolition Derby Extravaganza in early June. The men, who will share the crown until next year’s event, are first-time winners.

Keith Pouley of Lind piloted his “Keystolope Resurrection” to a share of the 2011 title with Othello’s Nick Johnson who captained the combine dubbed “Back in Black."

Both drivers shared the prize money, each taking home $1,100 for their efforts in the finals. The competitors each entered John Deere 6602 combines.

In all, 21 combines took part in what has become an international spectacle as evidenced by the presence of a film crew from Australia.

The camera crew enlisted the assistance of veteran combine derby drivers to construct a derby combine for the crew to enter.

Official attendance numbers haven’t been released, but the stands and beer garden were filled to the brim as usual.

Friday’s car races and demolition derby continue to grow in terms of the numbers of participants and the audience appears to be doing the same.

With national and international media attention, the event is also attracting combine drivers from a broader geographic base.

The drivers hailed from Lind, Ritzville, Othello, Pullman, Davenport, Spangle, Harrington, Kahlotus, Pasco, Diamond, Airway Heights and Spokane.

Three preliminary heats determined the first six combines to advance to the final round. Three more entries advanced, surviving a consolation round battle.

In the first heat, defending champion Jim Oswald of Spokane drove “Prison Break” to a win and $500 prize, Travis Willson of Pullman grabbed second place on board “To Madre.” Willson collected $400 for the finish. In third place was Tyler Startin of Diamond. Driving “The Barge,” Startin picked up $300 for third place.

During the second heat, also known as the rookie heat, two drivers tied for first and second place. Devin Hamilton of Pasco’s “Hill Billy Deluxe” tied with Johnson. Both collected $450 in prize money.

The only female driver in the derby, Julie Duchow of Airway Heights, tied for third and fourth place with Traven Smith of Lind. Duchow’s combine was called “Short Bus,” while Smith steered “After Shock.” Both drivers collected $150 in prize money, but were bounced to the consolation round.

In the third heat, Ritzville Driver Chad Overmyer took his “The Glory Hole” combine into the finals with a tie for first place against Brian Jeske and “Stimulus Package” of Spangle. Both drivers collected $450.

Josh Wills of Pasco finished in third place on board “Honeybucket” and collected $300 in winnings.

Following three preliminary heats, the consolation round was destined to be a wild event with 12 combine drivers filling the arena in hopes of being one of just three finishers to advance to the finals.

The roster of combine drivers for the consolation heat included: Chris Olson of Lind; Josh Knodel, Lind; Gavin Johnson, Othello; Ryan Kulm, Lind; Jason Hiebert, Harrington; Travis McBride, Ritzville; Nathan Reinbold, Davenport; Duchow, Airway Heights; Smith, Lind; Wills, Pasco; Pouley, Lind; and Startin, Diamond.

When the dust finally settled, Lind’s arena was filled with broken, limping combines. Three drivers survived to qualify for the finals. Smith, Pouley and McBride lived to compete again.

The challenge for the trio would be to survive the finals without having the opportunity to make repairs. After each of the first three heats, drivers had the opportunity to take their combine into the pits where a flurry of repairs took place.

The top three finishers in the consolation bracket weren’t afforded the same luxury as the final heat of the day began as soon as the wreckage from the consolation round was removed from the arena.

Prior to the start of the derby, three combines were selected as the “best decorated.” First place and $300 went to Jeske. Duchow picked up second place and $200. McBride was third and received $100.