Cody Woodward (Chody) with the hit to the Joe Martin truck that sends him over on the driver's side, but the driver would be ok and get out unharmed. MALONE, N.Y. — The annual Demolition Derby once again served as the opening act of the 176th Franklin County Fair, drawing a packed and enthusiastic crowd to the grandstand. Presented by DNA Motorsports, the event featured nearly 100 vehicles across multiple divisions and delivered an afternoon and evening of non-stop smashing, crashing, and hard-fought competition. The show was delayed slightly by the large number of entries and a small fire at one of the food stands that had to be addressed before the festivities could begin. Once the action started, however, fans were treated to one of the most exciting derby programs in recent memory. The evening opened with the Ladies Division, where the competitors showed they could compete with anyone on the track. When the dust settled, Kaylee Thompson emerged victorious after surviving a hard-hitting feature event. The spotlight then shifted to the Youth Division, featuring drivers under 16. With an invitation to the National Championships in Ohio on the line, the young competitors put on an impressive display of driving skill and determination. At the end of the contest, Wyatt Stowell earned the victory and the coveted trip to nationals. The Modified Stock Compact Division drew one of the largest fields of the day, with nearly 40 cars arriving for competition. Three heat races and a consolation event were required to narrow the field before the feature. Eighteen cars qualified, and twelve ultimately took the green flag for the main event. The battle for the win eventually came down to Devin Fournier, Kobe Blaise, and Logan Secore. After Blaise and Fournier teamed up to trap Secore in the corner, the fight for first came down to the final moments, with Devin Fournier claiming the victory over Kobe Blaise. Next up were the Stock Compacts, where approximately ten cars answered the call. The division produced plenty of action before Austin Martin drove his way to victory. Luke Prairie finished second, while Bucky Lapage completed the podium. The popular Van Division once again entertained fans with a field of nearly 20 entries. In the end, it became a family affair involving members of the Destruction Team. Tanner King captured the win ahead of Josh Adams and Chad King after a memorable final battle. One of the crowd's growing favorites, the Truck Division, featured nearly 20 powerful V-8 trucks pounding away at one another. The heavy iron provided some of the biggest hits of the day, and when the final horn sounded, Cofy Boyea stood atop the division with Brady Magoon and Adam King finishing behind him. The Stock Full-Size Division may have featured only a handful of entries, but the competitors delivered everything they had. The remaining drivers put on a spirited battle before Nathan Burgess secured the victory. The night concluded with the marquee event, the Modified V-8 Feature, which sent around 15 cars into the arena for one showdown. Cars slammed into one another while mud and dirt flew through the air, creating a thunderous atmosphere that kept fans on the edge of their seats. When the last of the action came to an end, Cory Warner stood victorious. Eric Stowell finished second, Alex Willett took third, and Michael Leaf rounded out the top four. From the first crash to the final hit, the Demolition Derby once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated traditions of the Franklin County Fair, providing fans with an unforgettable start to fair week in Malone. Gallery

Aj Willetts (66) skis the car between Cory Warner (16) and Kaden Barney (408) during the Modified Full Size main event. Gallery