SWW Fair Demo Derby Contestants Smash Their Way Through Opening Round

Flames shoot into the air from a vehicle during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Phoenix Pettis is put on two wheels while racing during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Phoenix Pettis is handed a trophy following a race during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Crowds cheer in the stands at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds during the demolition derby Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Dirt flies as cars race for the trophy during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Kevin Robinson stands on top of his vehicle the "Wild Thing" after being turned over by Josh Levine in a Chrysler Cordoba during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Luke Kilgore introduces car number 59 as "Best in Show," based on crowd volume at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Derek McKinley gives thumbs up during the demolition derby races at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Smoke rises from a car fire during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Josh Levine works to get his Chrysler Cordoba unstuck from a turned over vehicle during the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday.

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com

Posted Thursday, August 19, 2021 9:39 am

By The Chronicle staff

Day one of the annual demolition derby did not disappoint Tuesday as spectators lined the grandstands to watch drivers obliterate each other’s vehicles in high-intense action.

Josh Levine defended his title in the main event after also winning it in 2019 (the fair was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020). Kevin Robinson placed second this year while Derek McKinley placed third.

In the first heat of races, McKinley came in first place and Phoenix Pettis was second. In the second heat, Levine claimed first and Robert Perkins was second. Pettis won the trophy dash.

The demo derby gets back in action at noon on Sunday, Aug. 22.

SWW Fair Demo Derby Contestants Smash Their Way Through Opening Round

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