Demolition Derby a family affair for the Langs of Schaumburg
Nothing says love to the Lang family of Schaumburg quite like a crumpled rear bumper and a smashed radiator.
Not only is DuPage County Fair Demolition Derby veteran Leo Lang preparing his 1975 Chevy pickup truck for his 17th appearance at this Sunday's event in Wheaton, he's bringing his whole family to the track.
His daughter, 17-year-old Jessica Lang, will be participating in her second derby after a brutal hit at last year's fair sent her to the hospital.
This year, she's coming back with a vengeance and plans on her black 1974 Monte Carlo with lime green and purple flames winning the award for "prettiest car." The winner of said honor holds the American flag during the national anthem.
Her younger brother Cody, 16, will be participating in his first derby on Sunday in a 1973 Impala.
"The kids have grown up with me doing the derby and I guess it just grew on them. I signed my first waiver when I was 16," Leo Lang said. "In recent years, they've both learned to weld and modify the cars so all I can do is tell them to go out and I hope they have as much fun as I do."
Last year he admits being worried about Jessica but said she handled herself well enough for him to focus on Cody this year.
"He knows the rules and his car's in good shape so he'll be fine," he said. "There's nothing like your first derby, so I'm excited for him."
Jessica, meanwhile, is adding some extra padding to the inside of her car.
"I grew up watching my dad do this and it seemed like fun so I wanted to try it. And I got knocked around pretty good by the time it was over," she said. "They treated me like a girl at first but I guess I wasn't acting like a girl so they knew I could take it."
The Langs are just three of about 40 drivers from in and around DuPage County that International Demolition Derby owner Dennis Nelson said have signed up for the events at 2 and 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road. And they're guaranteed to bring an array of cars into the pit.
"There'll be full-sized cars, mid-sized cars, compact cars and trucks and vans," Nelson said. "We have to spread out what we're doing because cars are getting expensive. The old cars aren't there so guys have to get what they can get."
Drivers will spend between $300 and $1,200 for their cars, Nelson said, and usually get about five races out of them.
But Leo Lang likes his "new" cars.
"I like running fresh cars every time out but some guys rebuild everything," he said. "It's an expensive hobby that can cost nothing or it can cost you $1,000 and it's rare that it costs you nothing."
Nelson said he's excited to see the Lang kids carry on their father's nearly two-decade-old tradition.
"The real key that a lot of the folks in the grandstands don't understand is that these are local guys and gals," Nelson said. "They're right there from your community and that's what makes the derby at the county fair so great. So I hope everyone comes out to cheer them on."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What: </b>Demolition Derby </p>
<p class="News"><b>When: </b>2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton</p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $7 in addition to an adult's $10 or children's $3 fair admission</p>
<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://dupagecountyfair.org" target="new">dupagecountyfair.org</a> </p>