Speedway’s Saturday night a smashing success, despite the rain
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PABLO — Most 16-year-olds just learning how to drive and hoping to get a driver’s license will try to avoid a wreck at any cost – Ronan’s Anthony Steinebach did just the opposite Saturday night.
Anthony, 16, was one of 14 drivers entered in the Ronan Pioneer Days Demolition Derby at the Mission Valley Speedway in Pablo. Saturday’s derby was actually Anthony’s second attempt at entering a demolition derby. He kind of entered the demo derby in Plains last year.
“I took one hit and died,” said Anthony, who doesn’t have a valid driver’s license.
The second time around was more productive for Steinebach, as he and his 1966 Dodge Cornet were able to survive their heat to make it to the 12-car final. Anthony’s dad, Rob, who drove a ‘66 Chrysler New Yorker in the derby, had no worries about his son driving in the derby.
“There’s no better place to learn how to drive,” Rob said as he put the finishing touches on his #9 car in the pits before the derby.
The Steinebachs were just one family entered in the derby. After sitting out last year’s derby, Pablo’s Tony Adams Sr. got back behind the wheel and joined his two sons, Tony Jr. and Jon, in the derby.
The Adams filled two of the top three finishing spots. Jon Adams finished second and is $750 richer for it. Tony Sr., 54, took third and earned $500. Thompson Falls’ A.J. Sanders earned $1,500 for winning the derby.
The rain that pelted the speedway for about 20 minutes had little impact on the derby, but it did shorten the Bomber Twin 25 race, where both Bomber and Bomber Outlaws were running.
The race was under caution because of a three-car wreck off of turn three when the rain started. Justin Drake, the Outlaw points leader, was in front when the race was called. Chris Carpentier was in second and Kelly Dupuis finished third. Tim White in his pink #69 won the Bomber Class and Lynn Lapka finished second.
Wanting to give the nearly 300 fans at the speedway what they came for, four racers decided to end the night with a green-white-checker, three-lap shootout, with nothing on the line but bragging rights. Starting fourth on the outside, Drake, the 2008 champion, used a four-wheel slide to get his 1970 Impala in front of Kelly Dupuis on turn four of the final lap to win the race.
The next race at the speedway will be Aug. 14. The race will be free for children 12 and under.
