MANSFIELD — The 175th Richland County Fair went out with a bang Saturday night as the demolition derby drew a grand crowd to the grandstand.
More than 40 drivers across nine different classes competed in stock cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Ryan Frazier, a 38-year-old driver from Morrow County, has been participating in demo derbies for over 20 years. Frazier’s first derby car was a 1970 Buick Skylark, and he currently sports a 1980 Lincoln Continental.
“I just look on Facebook Marketplace and other places for whatever car is cleanest,” Frazier said.
Frazier started participating in derbies when he was 14, following a tradition established by family and friends.
The Richland County Demo-Derby was won by 13-year-old Lacey Campbell.
Chevelle Howard is a 16-year-old who has been a derby driver since she was 13. Howard emerged as the victor of the Richland Demo Derby Youth Compact Division two years ago.
She was eager to reclaim her title in her 1998 Toyota Camry. Howard said that demolition derbies are a team effort in her family.
“I just drive. My dad and brother are the ones who work on the cars.” Howard said.
When not on the racetrack, Howard partakes in Barrel Racing, where she won the jackpots in every event she participated in at the fair this week.
