Three Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby Champions are headed to the 87th Annual International Soap Box Derby in July. Saturday, May 3, the Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation held the 19th Annual Hopkinsville Soap Box Derby. Though rain delayed the start of the race, 26 racers across three divisions took the track to compete for the reigning champ title.
In a local race first, both the Stock and Super Stock championship competitions saw racers take the ramps four different times following the loss of our “Winner of Winners.” Taking home First Place in the Super Stock Division was Nate Crosby in the Super Mario bullet car. Taking home First Place in the Stock Division was Madalyn Pace in the Flower Power car.
Crosby, who finished 2nd in 2024, came back through the Challenger’s Bracket of the double elimination race to overcome first-year racer, Tyler Miller in the Pennyrile Electric Car in the final heats by .131 seconds. Rounding out the top 3 was Tyriek Merritt in the Kiwanis of Hopkinsville car.
Pace lost for the first time in the Quarter finals, but fought her way back in the Challenger’s Bracket to face off with Eleanor Knight in the HWEA car, taking the first two heats with a .169 second lead. The two competed for two more heats, with Pace holding off Knight by .132 seconds. The Third-Place trophy went to Clayton Warren in the Warren Trucking car.
Saturday, BYRF also hosted the 13th Annual Super Kids race with four familiar faces. Taking home the First-Place trophy was Jeremiah Hopes. 2nd Place went to Liam Byrum, 3rd Place to Aldon Odoms, and 4th Place to Elijah Hale.
Nate Crosby and Madalyn Pace will compete in the 87th Annual International Soap Box Derby July 19, 2025. Jeremiah Hopes will compete in the 23rd Annual National Super Kids Classic. The three will spend the week before the race competing and practicing with drivers from around the world.
The Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters of the 19th Annual Soap Box Derby. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Hopkinsville Police Department and the officers who came out Saturday and cooked lunch for those in attendance. Donations can be made throughout the year to support next year’s race. Checks can be mailed to Bluegrass Youth Racing Foundation, 1319 Sanderson Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.