Demolition Derby Racing and Wreckage – August 31 2024
Big hits and bigger excitement make for a smashing Saturday
(This event took place August 31, 2024)
The most destructive night of racing all season is back at the Route 66 Dirt Oval featuring the iconic Team Demolition Derby action! End your Summer with a BANG and kick-off the holiday weekend with multiple classes / styles of demolition derby, dirt oval races, Cody Calkins band playing live, and a huge fireworks show!
The event is also our annual salute to Scout Troops from around Illinois! They’ve camped out at the track all weekend, working together with the Dirt Oval crew to prepare for Saturday’s event, and they’ll all come together to sing the National Anthem during opening ceremonies.
Orange Crush vs. Mean Green Machine in a ’70s car slugfest
There have been 98 Team Demolition Derby events at Route 66 Raceway / Dirt Oval 66.
98 event champions from the very first on July 31, 1999 through the most-recent on August 26, 2023.
These two teams own the greatest winning percentage of them all!
Orange Crush – 20 wins
Mean Green Machine – 17 wins
These legendary foes will meet head-on in a throwback Team Demo race with the old iron of 1960s/70s battle wagons! The older cars used to be reserved for only Final Round races, and other special use cases, in the Tournament of Destruction through the mid-2010s. Eventually, they were phased out entirely in favor of the 80s-era models, but fans and drivers alike have been clamoring for a chance to fire up the high-power relics once again. That time has arrived!
We have teams… we have the cars… and both sides will have some of Team Demo’s all-time best behind the wheel! The sport’s “Ironman” Ron Tyrakowski leads Orange Crush to the fight against decades-long rivals (and yes, even teammates at time) “Sneaky” Pete Ryan alongside the strategic assassin Zac Van Allen piloting for Mean Green Machine!
Expect the unexpected, just like when these two teams collided in the Final Round on May 27, 2017 when #17 Pete Ryan toppled #67 Elmer Fandrey only 12 seconds into the race!
Orange Crush would come out victorious thanks in part to a wicked wall smash from #69 Levi Turnbaugh on #14 Jay Van Allen. Watch the video and ride along for the impact!
8 cars. 5 laps. Everything in between the green & checkered is where the madness happens.
Two additional Team Demo races are expected with the more modern 80s/90s era cars featuring lineups of veteran and newcomer drivers. While this is not a full 8 or 6 team event as seen in past years, there are still drivers seeking the thrill, eager to incite carnage, and chase the $6,000 pay day for a win!
Like many regional sports and competitions, Team Demolition Derby has relied upon countless factors aligning almost perfectly to deliver the spectacular action & infamous moments throughout it’s history. With the right people, resources, and passion, Team Demo will survive. Its found ways to do it before, and hopefully, August 31 was a jumpstart in that direction.
Come experience Team Demo live; help re-ignite the flames.
Huge Fireworks display included
We don’t just end the races with a checkered flag; we set the night on fire with an awe-inspiring professional fireworks display that tops any other race track’s holiday shows or a few sparkly bottle rockets. Missed your city’s 4th of July fireworks? Don’t worry, ours are better anyway!
Dirty Details
The following items are prohibited and may NOT enter the admission gates or facility. All items brought through the gates and into the facility are subject to inspection.
- No outside food or beverage (baby food/formula is fine)
- No coolers
- No drugs (unless prescribed by a medical physician and medically necessary)
- No bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or personal golf carts
- No Umbrellas
- No pets (unless registered aide dog)
- No aerosol cans of any kind
- No Fireworks
- No Firearms, Sharp Objects or Weapons
- Folding chairs
- Seat Cushions with arms or frame components
- Selfie Sticks
- Tripods and Monopods
- Clothing with obscenities or offensive language
Parking: $5 per vehicle at the entrance.
Dirt Oval 66 accepts cash, credit card, and digital payments for tickets & concessions!