Twisted metal and clouds of smoke filled the arena at the Carbon County Fair on Thursday evening as the demolition derby was held for the fairgoers in attendance.

Three compact car heats were scheduled, followed by a feature and a full-size car feature.The last four cars running in the compact car heats would move on to the feature, and the last three would receive cash prizes.The first heat for the compact cars got the event started.Out of the nine cars entered, Lonnie Behler Sr., Randy Ahner and Darin George grabbed the top three spots.Taylor Schmidt, driver of the car "Junk Monkey," came in fourth.The second compact car heat saw its nine competitors escalate the mayhem even further.The wheels on multiple cars were eventually reduced to nothing but rims, but they continued charging through the dirt and mud regardless.Derrick Anthony, Glen Hibler and Ronald Rausch of Bowmanstown earned the cash prizes, while Trevor Mack of Slatedale rounded out the winners in fourth place.Heat number three for the compact cars gave the most destructive moment of the night.Driver Ben Everett was able to hit Miranda Green's car in just the right area on the passenger side, and with enough force, to flip her car onto its roof.Everett's car then came to rest with its rear wheels perched on top of Green's overturned vehicle. Green emerged from the wreckage unscathed, her only concern being her elimination from the heat.Despite his best efforts, Everett was also eliminated due to his car being unable to move from its post-hit position.Travis Levan, Wayne Gaston of Lehighton, and Rodney Strohl, also from Lehighton, got the top three spots for the heat, and Tyler Stongle of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, secured a spot in the feature.The lone full-size car derby consisted of nine vehicles gunning for the grand prize. The top three would receive cash prizes. Third place went to Jessica Riddle of Harmony, New Jersey, and second place went to Tim Mann of Palmerton. The winner of the full-size car derby was New Tripoli native Brent Kerschner.Kerschner, 34, has been competing in demolition derbies for 15 years.On Thursday, he competed using a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker, his first run with the car."Everything was just working good tonight. I haven't won in a few years. It feels great," Kerschner said.An unplanned extra heat was held for the compact cars that were still intact, allowing them a final opportunity to make it into the feature.Seven cars entered, but only one could win the $50 and the chance to move on.In the end, Lonnie Behler Jr. was the last driver running.After a 10-minute break to allow Behler to fix up his car, the small car feature was set to go, and would be the last event of the night.Out of the 10 cars to enter, three would place and earn trophies and cash prizes.Those three would be Lonnie Behler Sr. in third, Ronald Rausch in second, and Rodney Strohl taking the win in first place.