Winfield native Tracy Davis admits she has a temper when it comes to getting behind the wheel.

Instead of taking out her aggression on the roadways, she drives for Bill’s Thrills derby team.

“I have road rage, and I can’t take it on the highway, so I take it to the track,” Davis explained of her interest of derbies.

That fiery attitude led to a first-place finish during Thursday’s demolition derby at the Warren County Fair.

Davis outlasted a field of male drivers in her 1991 Toyota Corolla to win the mini-car division.

Joe Schulte of Troy finished second.

“I hate being the only girl,” said Davis. “I wish more women would get into it,” quipped Davis.

The mini-feature had 18 cars, who handled the mud better than the full-size models earlier in the night.

Wet conditions made for an exceptionally slick track that limited driver’s control. Davis says that wasn’t necessarily the case for the smaller cars.

“It’s easy for us to get around,” said Davis. “Those front-wheel drive cars just scoot.”

Davis says she “barely” kept her car running until the end, as it finished off its sixth derby. The Corolla had taken second place at the derby hosted by the Jaycees in early May. It placed in the Top five in each of its runs this season.

Davis, who competes in eight to 10 events per year,  says it’s probably time to build a new car.

“This is the sixth run on this car, so it’s pretty much done after this,” said Davis.

She is particularly fond of Warrenton derbies.

“I come to Warrenton every time,” said Davis. “I love the track. I think the track is the perfect size to get enough speed up to hit.”

Prepping for Muddy Track Leads Brown to Win

During the first few heats of the night, spectators were getting pelted with mud.

Realizing the conditions he was facing in the full-size division, Alan Brown cut down the tread in his tires to better maneuver his way around the track.

“The track sucked,” said Brown. “ ... I’ve got brand new tires on the back. I took a tire groover, cut half the treads off of them and made paddle tires out of them tonight.”

It worked.

The 22-year veteran drove his car to victory on Thursday in the full-size feature. 

Colt Doyle of Quincy, Ill. took second place, while Dayton Betts of Clarksville finished third.

Admittedly, Brown had his share of critics following the win, but he says his experience gives him an edge.

“I built this car last year for a show in Pleasant Hill,” said Brown. “This is the third derby it’s won. Everybody thinks it’s illegal, but it’s built to the rules. I just know how to build them.”

He says the muddy conditions complicated matters and limited where hits could be made on the track.

“You just can’t get away from the hits on a muddy track,” said Brown. “It was more out of control hits. You’ve got to stay away from the walls in these kind of conditions.”

The Ashburn resident had traveled to Warrenton last year but faced elimination after getting stuck to another car.

“I came back to redeem myself, and that’s what I did tonight,” said Brown.

He says he put $3,000 into a new rear end for the car and has invested $10,000 in it sinwarren countyce its first run.

But Brown says his derby days are limited after 22 years on the track.

“I enjoy the sport, but I’m getting ready to get out of it,” said Brown. “This will probably be one of my last runs.”

He says his 18-year-old son will be taking over behind the wheel.