Chris Tegeler Wins Demo Derby at Fair

Chris Tegeler, 30, of Teutopolis, won the modified feature Saturday night at the Effingham County Fair's 49th annual auto demolition derby, besting 10 foes in a championship event which lasted approximately 20 minutes. Driving a mid 1970s-model Chrysler, Tegeler won for the third time in his career but for the first time in his native Effingham County, as Brian Beckman of Dieterich took runner-up. Devin Mette of Effingham finished third, with Adam Meyer of Teutopolis fourth, and Ben Rieman of Montrose fifth.

Dave Klitzing of Altamont and Brad Mizeur of Oconee tied for top honors in the stock class, while Kelsey Ort of Mason and Ashley Yocum of Watson took the top spots in the compact division. Ort and Yocum were a popular duo with the fans, having defeated a bulky field comprised mainly of male foes.

Yocum took home an additional trophy on the evening, having opened the program with a triumph in a "powder puff" event which was restricted to female drivers.
 
A total of 50 cars entered the event, including 22 modifieds, 18 compacts, six stock-class automobiles, and four powder puff entries.