Sandoval brothers Joey and Mario from Tooele were driving the last two cars still running in the final heat of the Deseret Peak Demolition Derby Saturday organized by Tooele County Search and Rescue.

First-time demolition derby driver Joey Sandoval was declared the winner and took home the top prize of $2,000 followed by his brother Mario who claimed a check for $1,500. Mario Sandoval also won the “most aggressive driver” in the final heat.

It was a good night for the Sandoval brothers and their father Ted who helped prepare the cars for the derby.

“We put a lot of work into the cars; we drive Chryslers,” said Ted Sandoval after the race. “The main thing is to get the engines running in top form. We work as a family and have a crew of six here. We also have a strategy.” He would not elaborate on the strategy. Ted Sandoval said that prior to the event his sons tested the cars in his field in Vernon.

For the first time, the June Deseret Peak Demolition Derby staged two figure 8 races which proved to be a big hit with the crowd and drivers. Tooele’s Ed Hansen was declared the winner in the final 25-lap figure 8 race with Taylor Hunt second and Zeb Hansen third.

Bo Leyva, who won the first 15-lap figure 8 race said it was his first time driving a figure 8 race and he had a great time. The crowd roared with delight as the cars raced in the figure 8 pattern sometimes smashing into each other at high speeds and other times trying to dodge each other in an attempt to win the race. Taylor Hunt and Ed Hansen were close behind Leyva.

About 17 cars in three heats plowed into each other during the demolition derby. Chairman Rob Bender said the August derby during the Tooele County Fair will be bigger. “We should see double the cars for the derby in August. The drivers really liked this derby and they did a good job and the crowd seemed to enjoy the night.”

Energetic announcer Russell Steadman kept the crowd entertained during down periods when the arena was being raked or the two giant tires hauled in for the racers to zip around during the figure 8 races. Steadman told the crowd he will race in the figure 8 event at the August derby against some of the Tooele County Fair Royalty and Tooele County Dairy Princesses.

Bender said the figure 8 races should be even better in August with more racers and lengthy 25-lap events.

Travis Nielson with his psychedelic car No. 85 won the most outrageous paint job to start the evening. Mario Sandoval and Trevor Daniels prevailed in the first heat while Ed Hansen was named the most aggressive driver. Joey Sandoval and Anthony Solis were the top two still standing after the second heat with Rick Solis named the most aggressive driver.

There were some big hits in the grudge match with cars generating top speeds and backing up to ram the competition. The final two standing after the grudge encounter were Steven Henwood and Zeb Hansen while Travis Nielson was named “most aggressive driver.”

There will be more contestants and the prize money will be greater when the Tooele County Fair Demolition Derby is held on Aug. 2.

In that derby the first-place winner will receive $2,700, second place will get $1,700 and third place will win $1,000. Two winners from each heat will get $100 each while the most aggressive driver from each heat will receive $200. Most aggressive driver overall will get a pay-out based on entry fees. Best paint job will get $100.

For more information about the August demolition derby call Rob Bender 830-2089.

mwatson@tooeletranscript.com