Trucks, noise and dirt: Experience all three at Triple Crown of Motorsports

Iron Man vs. the Avenger.

Spike against the Wrecking Crew.

These aren't some fantasy comic book matchups.

These are possible heats in the Kane County Fair's side-by-side monster truck racing competition.

And the race is just one part of the fair's first Triple Crown of Motorsports.

"It's the same old story," he said. "Guys like cars. Guys like trucks. Guys like noise."

The event debuts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with the monster truck race. A truck pull at 7:30 p.m. Friday and a demolition derby at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday finish off the triple crown.

The truck pull and derby have been a part of the fair in the past but the monster truck portion usually includes just one or two with little racing.This is the first year six trucks will be on hand in a competitive race.

The race necessitated an alteration of the grandstand area.

"We've had to cut down some of the seats," said Floyd Brown, a spokesman for the fair. "They wanted to have people protected. We have a great deal of additional safety factors."

The race will consist of three qualifying heats and a consolation race that could lead to a spot in the final.

Holman's Beast and Brutus round out the field of trucks, all of which have competed on national television.

Between heats at all three events, the always popular Megasaurus will devour a car or two.

The tank-like vehicle transforms into a three-story tall mechanical beast.

"The kids go nuts for the thing," Donat said.

In the truck pull, both professionals and local amateurs can participate.

The trucks start on a 225-foot track and must pull a mechanical sled that weighs 30,000 pounds, although Donat said because of the weight transfer box in the sled, the weight near the end becomes more than that.

Sometimes, the result can be disastrous.

"We have some trucks right off the street," Donat said. "These guys think they're big and bad and we let them show what they can do. Sometimes they make it and sometimes it costs them $400 because it costs them their driveshaft."