After a few rain delays Saturday morning, the 19th Annual Hopkinsville Soapbox Derby kicked off at Ruff Park, drawing racers and families from across the region for a day of competition, community, and STEM-based learning.
Hosted by the Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation, this year’s event featured 26 participants across three divisions: Stock, Super Stock, and Super Kids, a category for racers with special needs.
“Well, we have 26 racers in our three divisions,” said Annie Catron, president of the foundation. “We have 22 in our regular divisions and then four of our super kids… So there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into making the derby happen, getting the park ready, getting the cars ready, but that is a family-friendly activity.”
Tyler Carpenter, one of this year’s young racers, proudly described his ride.
click to download audioThe derby, now in its 19th year, began in 2005 but missed one season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Catron said the program offers more than just a race—it’s a hands-on experience that teaches problem-solving and builds relationships.
click to download audioCatron noted that the foundation starts build clinics in March, with most racers spending four to six weeks preparing their cars for the derby.
“It is important because it’s an opportunity for kids who usually don’t participate in other sports or can’t participate in other sports to be able to have that camaraderie, hang out with other kids, do something that they enjoy,” she said. “And it’s a STEM-based program, so there’s some education involved in it as well.”
Cherie Zerbst, a grandmother who has attended multiple years, said she looks forward to the event every time.
“Oh, it’s very exciting. I’ve been here a couple of years now coming to these and watching them,” Zerbst said. “You sit there and you get into it and you get going.”
Zerbst said she’s impressed not only by the competition, but by the technical skills the kids develop.
“It’s interesting to see that they put these together and they have to do a whole lot of calibrations on the wheels and make sure everything’s spinning… From competing to being involved in the process of what you make to compete with, I think that’s a big part of it,” she said. “They learn skills while they’re doing it. But it’s very exciting and they love the competition and they always have a lot of fun. And it’s a good group, good community effort.”
This year’s winners will go on to represent Hopkinsville at the international competition in Akron, Ohio this July.
In the Stock Division, Madalyn Pace took home first place, followed by Eleanor Knight in second and Clayton Warren in third.
In Super Stock, Nate Crosby won first, with Tyler Miller placing second and TyReik Merritt finishing third.
The Super Kids winners were Jeremiah Hayes in first, Liam Byram in second, Aldon Oldoms in third, and Elijah Hale in fourth. Saturday marked Hale’s final derby appearance.
