Three former Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby Champions and one new champ are headed to the 86th Annual International Soap Box Derby in July. Saturday, May 4, the Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation held the 18th Annual Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby. Though there was a threat of weather, aside from rain during the final run, the 35 racers in four divisions had perfect weather for a day of racing.
The Super Stock Division title came down to the final of two runs after a tied first run down the hill between Madelyn Warren and Nate Crosby. Warren finished .157 seconds ahead of Crosby to secure her second local soap box win. Warren was the 2022 Stock Champion. Crosby took home second-place and Charles Cayce rounded out the winners in third-place.
2015 Stock and 2019 Super Stock Champion, Audrey Rains completed her local triple crown with a first-place finish in the Masters Division. Rains had an early lead in the morning but was knocked into the Challengers bracket in the third round. She and Adelyn Cook completed four runs down the hill to determine who would take home the trophy. Cook finished second and rounding out the Top 3 was Will Rader.
Headed to Akron, OH from the stock division is Willow Groves, who fought her way back from the Challengers bracket after also being knocked out of the Winners bracket in the third round. Groves managed to hold off Winner of Winner’s Karter Richardson to take the first-place title. Richardson took home the second-place trophy. Tyriek Merritt headed home with hardware after a third-place finish.
Friday night, BYRF hosted the 12th Annual Super Kids race featuring two former champions and two newcomers. After a car malfunction caused a delay, the race was finished Saturday morning. Two-time champion, Aldon Odoms held off his challengers to secure a place competing in Akron, Ohio. Taking home second place was Jeremiah Hopes. Third place went to Elijah Hale, and fourth place to Liam Byrum. Super Kids race in specially designed two-seater cars that allow experienced Soap Box Drivers to guide the Super Kid down the track.
Friday night featured the first-ever opportunity for parents to take on their Soap Box Derby racer. Several parents climbed behind the wheel. The night also featured races between Hopkinsville City Councilmen Don Marsh and Steve Keel and Marsh and Travis Martin.
Madelyn Warren, Audrey Rains, and Willow Groves will compete in the 86th Annual International Soap Box Derby July 20, 2024. Aldon Odoms will compete in the 22nd Annual National Super Kids Classic. The four will spend the week before the race competing and practicing with drivers from around the world.
