Two teens get their first crack at demolition derby during DuPage fair

The way Ray Green saw it, Sunday's demolition derby at the DuPage County Fairgrounds was the ultimate driver's ed class for his 16-year-old daughter, Abby.

"I figure we'll get all the crashes out of the way first," the McHenry County man joked during Sunday's contest in Wheaton. Abby has yet to get her license, but will begin taking formal driver's education classes this fall.

There were some challenges, to be sure, in getting her ready for Sunday's derby, the final main event on the last day of the fair.

Standing at barely five-foot, two inches tall, Abby's pit crew had to put foam mats behind her back so she could reach the pedals. All the controls were clearly marked and bolts were placed to keep her from shifting into the wrong gear.

"My dad told me as long as I get out there and at least hit somebody, I'll be fine," Abby said.

She did more than that, walking away as the only member of her family to advance to the finals of Sunday's contest. Ray Green was the first competitor knocked out, when another driver ripped off a rear wheel and part of his axle with a hit. Abby's 19-year-old brother, Danny, also got knocked out early when his carburetor gave out during the second heat.

Abby, however, wasn't the only teen in the group of roughly 25 competitors smashing up their cars on the muddy grounds at the county fair's grandstands.

Dozens of family and friends spent the afternoon cheering on 16-year-old Jessica Lang in her first derby. The Schaumburg teen has been coming to watch her father, Leo, compete for years at area demolition derby competitions.

"Last year I was a passenger with my dad and the car rolled over," she said. "It was really fun."

A friend of her father found a 1967 Cadillac for sale in Elgin, immediately scooped up the car and spent several weeks stripping the car and modifying it in preparation for Sunday's race.

Had it not been for a rear tire that ripped apart, Jessica may have also made it to Sunday's finals. But she took the early exit in stride.

"I really don't care," Jessica said. "I just wanted to go out there and mess my car up a little bit."