Crowd turns out for Rotary Club's Demolition Derby

The Cassville Rotary Club's 10th annual demolition derby, which was held at the Bill Hailey Arena in Cassville, attracted 22 drivers and a crowd of around 1,800 spectators on Saturday night.

"The demolition derby turned out good," said Herb Primrose, Cassville Rotary Club member. "Our attendance was down a little, but I think the weather kept some people away. We did have a lot of people who filtered in late though.

"The event offered a lot of fun things for the kids this year," continued Primrose. "They had them out there dancing. Those kids had a lot of fun doing the chicken dance."

For the second year in row, a rookie driver took first place in the stock class heat. Travis Holman, of Cassville, claimed victory over last year's champion Cody Stephens and 2009 and 2010 champion Rusty Newman, who are both also from Cassville.

Noah Smith, of Carthage, earned fourth place, and Ken Leverich, of Joplin, formerly of Cassville, took home fifth place in the stock class heat.

Bobby Arms, of Commerce, Okla., earned first place in the compact heat for the third consecutive year. Denzil Arms, also of Commerce, Okla., took second place, and Bryan Jones, of Rogers, Ark., finished third.

The modified class heat one winners were: Sam Blackerby, of Rogers, Ark., first place; Ryan Newman, of Cassville, second place; and Cody Blundell, of Miami, Okla., third place.

Winners of the modified class heat two included: Bobby Arms; Andrew Sarley, of Pittsburg, Kan.; and Rusty Newman.

"The feature heat was the most action-packed," said Primrose. "At the end, there were only two cars left, and I thought it was going to be a test of who ran out of gas first. The crowd loved it."

Blundell took the top prize in the championship feature heat. Denzil Arms earned second place and Bobby Arms took home third place.

Other championship heat winners were: Bryan Ray, of Oklahoma, fourth place; Sarley, fifth place; Ryan Newman, sixth place; Rick Forest, of Rogers, Okla., seventh place; Blackerby, eighth place; and Rusty Newman, ninth place.

"I broke everything I took out there," said Rusty Newman, who has competed in each of the Cassville Rotary Club's 10 demolition derby events. "Even though I broke everything, I still had fun."

Rusty Newman was sponsored by Freedom Bank. Ryan Newman was sponsored by Gautney's Garage. Vehicles entered by both Newman brothers were also sponsored by Newman Small Engine Repair.

All Points Recycling and Rebel Recycling, both of Cassville, also sponsored several cars in this year's demolition derby.

This year's demolition derby was dedicated to Bill McDermont, of Grandstand Attractions, Inc., who passed away last May. McDermont helped organize all of the Cassville Rotary Club's last nine demolition derby events with the help of his wife, Regina, who continues to operate Grandstand Attractions.