By Natalie Dillon
ndillon@
themonroetimes.com
MONROE — The 2024 Green County Demolition Derby had four classes with 40 different cars entered, a feat that promoter Jeremy Gutzmer was pleased to see.
“We are going in the right direction for the show, building it year after year and getting the crowd to keep coming back,” he said. “We are trying to make it one of the more premiere shows around.”
To bring extra hype to the event, Gutzmer and participant Jake Trickel invited Micah Coppes of Track Shot Live. He livestreamed the event and uploaded those videos to his YouTube page. Spectators can rewatch the event on the Facebook page TRACK SHOT LIVE or on YouTube at YouTube.com/TrackShotLive.
The first class two classes — the minivans/SUVs and trucks had just seven combined vehicles. The stock classes, though, featured more than 15 cars each.
In a repeat of the 2023 stock midsize class competition, it came down to two Monroe natives, Trickel and Crae Riese. This time, though, Trickel got his revenge to take home the trophy.
“We just wanted to work it down to the end together and let the end play out,” Trickel said. “Last man standing.”
Riese, who grew up in Monroe but lives in Eagle River, comes back each year to support his hometown fair.
“They are trying to get as many guys and cars here,” Riese said. “To put on a show like this — that’s why I keep coming back.”
Trickel had the opportunity to take home another first-place trophy in the semi stock fullsize, but he got lodged up against the wall. It came down to the last two cars — Eric Rackow and Jim Pfeifer. The two got locked together and were unable to apply another hit. As the last car to dole out a hit, Rackow won the class.
The grandstands also hosted the Badger State Tractor Pull on Thursday, with the local truck and tractor pull on Friday. On Saturday, there were antique tractor pulls with ATV racing in the evening. Results of these events are as follows:
Times photos: Natalie Dillon
Monroe’s Jake Trickel, friend of promoter Jeremy Gutzmer, won the Stock Midsize class, beating out Monroe native Crae Riese. The two battled for the title in the 2023 Green County Fair. Trickel, along with Gutzmer, promoted this year’s demolition derby heavily, hoping to bring it back to its glory days.
Below: Mike Meier won the 466 Hot Farm class of the Badger State Tractor Pull Thursday, July 18 with a pull of 321.748. Demolition Derby promoter Jeremy Gutzmer was an official during the derby on Sunday, July 21. Green County Fairgrounds hosted a local tractor and truck pull Saturday, July 20 with 11 different classes.
Below: Elliot Drain pushed Lucas Buckingham over the barrier in the semi stock full size class of the Demolition Derby. Eric Rackow won the semi stock full size class. Ethan Friedrich competed in the 2-wheel drive truck class of the Badger State Tractor Pull.
