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CNO photographer, Dylan Knoop sits patiently in his demolition derby
car waiting his turn to
participate in his first derby. CNO Photo by
George Starks
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Did I create a
monster?
By George Starks
Ever since my grandson was old enough to go with me to sporting events,
I watched him do some things I never thought he would do.
At the age of five, he went to his very first game with me. It was a
Friday night basketball game at Union City (Ind.). Granted, he was
intrigued with everything and soaked it all in.
It wasn’t long after that, we went to some baseball and softball. Then
came Eldora Speedway and the fast cars. Oh how he loved the races. A
couple of years later, he went to the demolition derby at the fair.
That was the beginning of the creation of the monster. It seemed every
year all he could talk about was the day when he would be able to drive
in one. Of course, his parents always said there was no way, it was
much too dangerous. What neither one of them realized was that the day
would come when he would be old enough to make his own decisions.
Then one day, he came to me. “Papaw, I found a Buick Regal for the
demos. Will you help me get it?”
I knew at that point, I was in trouble. If I do, then my daughter will
blast me and if I don’t, Dylan will be disappointed. Oh well, can’t
disappoint the boy!
The car was east of Zanesville but I helped him with a small loan. My
daughter was livid when he pulled it into the driveway.
“Where did you get it and how?”
“Papaw,” was his reply. Then came the phone call and I received a bit
of a blessing from my daughter.
Saturday night, he sat on the infield in that car, knowing he was in
for it.
He lasted all of 10 minutes as a fuel line became detached and there he
sat as someone nailed him and put him over the concrete barrier.
He was done!
As the whole day wore on, it was obvious as to just how nervous he
really was. When he made that first hit, it was all over. The nerves
were gone and he got a few more licks in before he was eliminated.
Did I create a monster that started to develop at the age of seven? I
think so but I’d do it again if the funds were there. He’s already
talking about another derby as the Buick is still in good shape
considering it suffered very little damage.
The seven year old boy is now a 19 year old monster and yes…
I did that!
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His
time finally arrives as he drives the familiar #21 onto the track at
the Darke County Fair Saturday.
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