Mud flew, engines roared, metal crunched, and fuel exhaust wafted around the arena at the Phillips County Fairgrounds in Dodson on Saturday night, August 1, as twenty drivers fought for bragging rights and a piece of the $8,500 purse payout. When the mayhem ceased and the decibels dropped in the stadium, seven individuals emerged as winners in the Crash for Cash 2020 Demolition Derby.

In the Chain Class, Peyton Peterson of Havre took first, Frankie Nieft from Chinook placed second, and Mike Plouffe of Phillips County drove off with third.

In the Weld Class, Chris Moore (Glasgow) captured first, Skylar Powell (Havre) claimed second, and by default, Casten Hepner (Big Sandy) settled for third after he threw his flag a bit early. For his hard hitting and focused driving, Chinook native Garrison Mitchell won the Mad Dog Award.

"The Mad Dog is the driver who is out there driving to drive. He hits hard and disregards the consequences. Garrison did an insane job. As a matter of fact, the show was a good one over all," reported event organizer, Scott Skoyen.

When asked about his designation as Mad Dog Award winner, Mitchell responded, "I was pretty thrilled. I almost couldn't believe it!"

Competing in his second derby to date, Mitchell drove a 1978 Chrysler New Yorker which he built himself. "I put on a roll cage, replaced the rear end and drive line, made it mechanically sound, and beefed it up according to the rules. I'm definitely going to do it again!" Mitchell said.

Mitchell gave credit to his friend Garrett Powell for encouraging and inspiring him. "I had a few things backfire on me, but Garrett told me, 'You can't give up!'"

Another proponent of the sport, a lead man behind the Demolition Derby scene, Skoyen has been operating the derby in Dodson for the past five years but has directed the show in Chinook since 2006. Derby leadership passed to Skoyen after bouncing between the Chinook Eagles, the Chinook Volunteer Fire Department, and various other organizations.

"Cory Huestis, Allen Pula, Loren [Skoyen], Dad [John Skoyen], and I gave some structure and stability to the event when we made some changes and started a bigger purse to attract more drivers and cars. Eventually Cory and Al dropped off and it migrated to just us."

Skoyen, who owns Top Dog Performance in Chinook, has a passion for building and driving derby cars. He drove his first car in Saco in 1993, the summer between his eighth grade and freshman year. Although he has taken a few years off here and there, he has been driving and promoting the sport ever since.

"Those were the days when running a derby car meant moving the gas tank and battery, knocking out any glass, and chaining the doors shut. I could buy a 1973 Cadillac or a 1975 New Yorker for around $50.00 back then. Some guys would even say, 'For a case of beer, it's yours,' or they'd just give it to me to get the junker off their place. Now, a car like that would cost $1500 or more. And cars are high horse-power or full-on welded. That kind of modification costs lots of money," Skoyen reminisced.

For those reasons, Skoyen wants to keep the Chain Class, which is simply a stock car. Those who are just breaking out into the derby scene can enter a car in this class if they choose.

"I don't want any young guys to be discouraged by high costs, so the Chain Class gives them a place to start," stated Skoyen.

Now, Skoyen and his wife, Courtney, run the Derby to make sure everything happens, but they couldn't do it without the people that help, Skoyen insisted. "Loren and Dad take care of arrangements with the fairgrounds, Kevin Elias serves as the announcer and the auctioneer, and countless people volunteer with skid steers and other equipment to clear the arena or to serve as line judges. We really get our money's worth with Kevin because he is such a savvy individual and a smooth talker. Actually, he's an entertainer!"

Along with help from the Fair Board, the group also sells sponsorships. "We wouldn't have a Derby in Chinook without those who sponsor it," Skoyen said.

For a $100.00 sponsorship, an individual or business gets their name printed on flyers, painted on a derby card, and announced during the event or on the radio prior to the event.

"That's a bargain," Skoyen claimed.

When asked if he was disappointed that the Blaine County Fair would not have a derby this year, Skoyen replied, "Well, sure, I'm disappointed. This is the first time since 1963 that we won't have a Demolition Derby as part of the Blaine County Fair. As a community, we need to stand behind the Fair, speak up, and demand our fair share of resources. The Fair draws a crowd and generates revenue for the community. It's also a way to celebrate community. Yet, it seems like every year we have to fight for the derby and the Fair, and these annual conflicts with the County Commissioners frustrate us."

After the Derby was over in Dodson, Skoyen said he overheard some people talking about the various judgment calls. "A person has to have a thick skin to listen to people's whine fests and be a target for someone's anger when they've lost, but regardless of the criticism I might get, the derby is something I love to do."