Sophomore Weston Elliott is currently pursuing his dreams of becoming a demolition derby driver. Having grown up watching his dad, Amos Elliott, and older brother Braxton Elliott behind the wheel, Elliott has always had his eyes set on becoming a driver himself. Elliott and his father decided this year was gonna be the start of his derby career. They started by finding him a car and getting it ready for his first-ever derby competition in Salem, Indiana.

Weston is running in the youth class, which is a bonestock class only available to kids between the ages of 12 and 17.

Weston’s family members were all excited for him, including his mom, Jessica Elliott. 

“I have watched one kid do it; now I get to watch both do it,” said Jessica.

Taking hits is part of the experience, and sometimes it can be dangerous.

“I was nervous at first, but once I made my first hit, it all went away,” said Elliott. He got second place in his first derby, and it only made him more ambitious to get on the track again.

Elliott has been determined to work hard on his car and get it ready for his next derby. He is working on a 1997 Lincoln Town Car, known as one of the best frames for a derby car. In his first race, the front end of his car was damaged after he went head-to-head with his opponents. Nothing too big that he can’t fix, just gonna take time to get built back together and better.

“I can’t wait to get this car fixed up and get back out there on that track,” said Elliott. 

Elliot’s derby career is just getting started, and it will not be long before he is ready to run again. His next derby will take place on November 1, in Salem, Indiana, at Thunder Valley Speedway. Admission to the event is $10 each.