Justin, Jason Kenter Score Repeat Victory At Demo Derby

Justin (left) and Jason Kenter go head-to-head in the final moments of the full-size truck division at the Effingham County Fair demolition derby.

By KURT BECKER

ALTAMONT -- Brothers Justin and Jason Kenter of Teutopolis scored a repeat victory Saturday night at the 78th annual Effingham County Fair, taking the top two spots in the full-size truck division of the auto demolition derby before a capacity crowd on a hot and muggy evening.

Just as he did one year ago, Justin Kenter took the checkered flag, while Jason once again took runner-up honors. Ryan Koester of Effingham finished third, making it a clean sweep for Effingham County drivers.

"We appreciate the fair board having a division for big trucks again," said Justin Kenter, who drove the same 2002 Ford pickup with which he won last year. "They have huge crowds every year, and it makes it a lot of fun."

In other action, Josh Bradbury of Marshall won the mini-truck division, Braden Heape of DuQuoin captured the heat for compact cars, Corey Budde of Fairfield won the modified bracket, and Trevor Pedtke of Radom took top honors in the semi-stock class.

Effingham County drivers Dusty Joergens (Dieterich), Brayden Will (Teutopolis), and Wiley Wines (Watson) finished second, third, and fourth respectively in the compact division; Joe Cripe (Altamont) and Justin Herboth (Watson) both cracked the top three in the modified class; and Robert Harder (formerly of Altamont) finished fourth in the semi-stock heat.

The demolition derby closed a successful week for the fair, as ticket sales for most events remained on pace with prior years despite challenges in the form of rain and humidity.