By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
It took 31 heats and more than four hours of racing, but in the end just .038 seconds separated Saturday afternoon's winning driver from the next competitor in the inaugural Pennyrille Soap Box Derby.
Ten-year-old Blair Terry defeated Claude Gaston by the slimmest of margins as 13 stock division drivers battled during competition held on Main Street between Fifth Third Bank and the former Bartholomews Restaurant.
Gaston did not lose a single race in the double-elimination event until he met Terry in the finals. Terry advanced to the championship from the competitor's bracket. Thus, Terry faced an arduous task: defeat Gaston twice. That, he did.
Gaston won "Phase B" of both heats with Terry taking the "Phase A" races. Terry captured the first heat by .136 seconds and edged Gaston once again in the second for the victory.
Terry said he knew his competition was tough and it took him some time after the race to understand he had won despite crossing second.
"I thought Claude was going to win, but when I came across the finish line, I won," Terry said.
The victory marks the first for Terry, who has a collection of seven top 10-finishes during his three-year racing career.
Ten-year-old Blair Terry defeated Claude Gaston by the slimmest of margins as 13 stock division drivers battled during competition held on Main Street between Fifth Third Bank and the former Bartholomews Restaurant.
Gaston did not lose a single race in the double-elimination event until he met Terry in the finals. Terry advanced to the championship from the competitor's bracket. Thus, Terry faced an arduous task: defeat Gaston twice. That, he did.
Gaston won "Phase B" of both heats with Terry taking the "Phase A" races. Terry captured the first heat by .136 seconds and edged Gaston once again in the second for the victory.
Terry said he knew his competition was tough and it took him some time after the race to understand he had won despite crossing second.
"I thought Claude was going to win, but when I came across the finish line, I won," Terry said.
The victory marks the first for Terry, who has a collection of seven top 10-finishes during his three-year racing career.
Terry's grandfather, Bill Farrell, worked many months as president of the Pennyrile Soap Box Derby Association to host the event and he openly displayed the joy he felt for his grandson.
"He's never taken first place before, so this is special," Farrell said with a tear in his eye.
With the win, Terry will join his older brother, Alex Terry, to compete in the World Championships on July 25 in Akron, Ohio. Alex Terry, 12, will compete in the rally race division.
Alex Terry said his brother appeared to focus more after falling into the competitor's bracket.
"I think he probably figured out what was at stake and he could go to Akron," Alex Terry said.
Brien Terry, father of Alex and Blair, said he agreed.
"After he lost, he seemed to start focusing," Brien Terry said. "It was a hard battle. There were a lot of good cars out there."
Although two boys raced for the event's top prize, girls occupied the third through sixth places in Carleigh Troutman, Morgan Eubanks, Mallory Howard and Miranda Kuehne.
"The girls are better racers than the boys and the reason for this is a little girl is more flexible," Farrell said. "She can get down lower in the car."
The girls nearly swept the post race awards as well. Troutman claimed Best Design for her Hopkins County Sheriff-sponsored car. Howard won Best Pit Crew for bringing an enthused cheering section and Kuehne captured Best Sportsmanship.
Joseph Clemmons earned the Best All-American award for his dedication.
After the race, each participant also received a plaque and the top four finishers sported trophies that rivaled the children's own height.
With the inaugural race completed, plans have already begun to expand next year's event.
"This is a good community and it deserves to have something like this," Farrell said. "I'm tickled pink to have this happen (Saturday). We know where our kinks are, our bumps, and next year it's going to be bigger. Our numbers will double next year."
Farrell said he plans to increase the field to include a super stock division to allow older children to race.
"He's never taken first place before, so this is special," Farrell said with a tear in his eye.
With the win, Terry will join his older brother, Alex Terry, to compete in the World Championships on July 25 in Akron, Ohio. Alex Terry, 12, will compete in the rally race division.
Alex Terry said his brother appeared to focus more after falling into the competitor's bracket.
"I think he probably figured out what was at stake and he could go to Akron," Alex Terry said.
Brien Terry, father of Alex and Blair, said he agreed.
"After he lost, he seemed to start focusing," Brien Terry said. "It was a hard battle. There were a lot of good cars out there."
Although two boys raced for the event's top prize, girls occupied the third through sixth places in Carleigh Troutman, Morgan Eubanks, Mallory Howard and Miranda Kuehne.
"The girls are better racers than the boys and the reason for this is a little girl is more flexible," Farrell said. "She can get down lower in the car."
The girls nearly swept the post race awards as well. Troutman claimed Best Design for her Hopkins County Sheriff-sponsored car. Howard won Best Pit Crew for bringing an enthused cheering section and Kuehne captured Best Sportsmanship.
Joseph Clemmons earned the Best All-American award for his dedication.
After the race, each participant also received a plaque and the top four finishers sported trophies that rivaled the children's own height.
With the inaugural race completed, plans have already begun to expand next year's event.
"This is a good community and it deserves to have something like this," Farrell said. "I'm tickled pink to have this happen (Saturday). We know where our kinks are, our bumps, and next year it's going to be bigger. Our numbers will double next year."
Farrell said he plans to increase the field to include a super stock division to allow older children to race.
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