Jeske, Oswald share derby title

The 26th annual Lind Combine Demolition Derby ended with a tie for the title between Jim Oswald and Brian Jeske on Saturday night.

The two drivers battled until the end, but shared the title and split the $2,200 purse for first place.

A total of 18 combines entered into the competition and every contestant received monetary funds to help pay the expense of the combines and travel to the event.

The afternoon competition began in heat one with six combines driven by Tyler Startin, Palmer Phillips, Tyran Doyle, Oswald, Rex Lyle and Nathan Reinbold. Oswald took the first heat win driving his combine, Prison Break, and earned $500 for the win. Lind resident Doyle tied for second place with Lyle, and each driver received $350.

In heat number two, six more drivers rolled through the gates to provide some metal crunching action for onlookers. Second heat drivers were Ed Favilla, Nick Johnson, Chad Overmyer, Ryan Kulm, Eric Labes and Devin Hamilton.

The heat ended in a three-way tie for first place between returning competitors Favilla, Overmyer and Hamilton, all who received $400 for the heat win.

The third heat of the day drew drivers Josh Knodel, Travis McBride, Brian Jeske, Traven Smith, Gavin Johnson and Chris Olson into the arena. Johnson earned the third heat win with his combine, Back In Black, while Smith and Jeske tied for second place.

The finals brought the top nine combines back into the arena to battle for the coveted derby title. Startin secured a fourth place finish with his combine Bass Ackwards and received $600 for his top finish.

Lind native Smith took home third place with his combine Aftershock and received $800 for his placement in the final heat, bringing his total prize money to $1,150.

Jeske and Oswald battled through the combine graveyard but the heat ended in a draw, with each driver receiving $1,100 for the first place title. Jeske’s winnings totaled $1,450 while Oswald returned home with an impressive $1,900.

Oswald earned first place in the Best Decorated Combine competition, receiving $300. Favilla tied for second place in the best decorated contest with his combine City Slickers, complete with an inflatable monster coming out of the top of his combine. Doyle also earned second place prize money of $200 for his combine, Keystolope Resurrection. Devin Hamilton received fourth place and $100 for his Red Solo Cup combine.