By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorWhile he prefers to not wear shoes, that didn’t prevent “Barefoot” Jim Wagner from crushing cars and winning the demo derby at the Warren County Fair.With over 20 years of experience, Wagner outlasted Dale Colbert in the pit Saturday night.The win did not come easy for the shoeless driver as the final outcome took nearly 20 minutes to be decided between the two. Eventually, Wagner’s tactics paid off and so did the hits he landed to Colbert’s car while driving in reverse.“Winning all comes with experience in demo derby racing,” Rolla native “Barefoot” Jim Wagner said soon after jumping out of his beat up, but trustworthy derby car. “I’ve got 25 years of experience racing. Whenever I race I just try to get down to the end and key on someone’s weak spots.”Colbert took out several other demolition cars throughout the race by stomping the gas pedal toward A-frames and axles, but he could not will his vehicle to be the last one operating after taking one too many hits.It wasn’t until after the race had finished that he even realized he was up against a well-known name in the sport across the state of Missouri.“I didn’t even realize it was ‘Barefoot’ until the very end,” Colbert said, who resides in Winfield. “I’ve always heard his name and seen him drive before, but I didn’t understand while I was driving who I was up against. He’s an experienced driver and I couldn’t get him lined up.”After the checkered flag had been raised and the large crowd showed its approval, Wagner greeted his competitors with a friendly handshake after the race all while walking around on the muddy track with no shoes on.“This was a good race and it was good to see the crowd get into it at the Fair,” Wagner said. “After races I always try to shake their hands because there is only going to be one winner. Out on the track we are enemies, but when we aren’t jarring each other around we are usually all friends and say hi.”While taking home the first-place trophy from the Warren County Fair, which will go to his collection, the veteran behind the wheel looks forward to more races to come.“This year I plan on racing in around 10 events,” he said. “It’s a tradition that I’ve carried over from my dad. Being behind a wheel in a race like this is an awesome feeling. The recognition is really nice, but I’m just doing what I’ve always known.”He doesn’t plan on wearing shoes while he drives in a demo derby anytime soon either.“Whenever I was a kid my father always went barefooted,” he said. “He drove these cars barefooted, so I decided to follow him and just not wear shoes.”
'Barefoot' Jim Wagner holds the first place trophy from the Demo Derby that was held Saturday night at the Warren County Fair. He edged out Dale Colbert for first place.
Patrick MacCoon photo.