What began as a furious flurry of automobile carnage was in the end reduced to two sputtering, nearly unrecognizable vehicles.

Shawn Ellingson’s was the last to move.

Ellingson captured the top prize before an overflow crowd of several thousand in the Albert Lea Jaycees Demolition Derby at the Freeborn County Fair Tuesday night.

The feature, which came down to a long one-on-one confrontation between Ellingson and Paul Nielsen, was considered by many to be the hardest-hitting in recent years.

For Ellingson, 29, Glenville, the derby title was his second in Albert Lea. He drove a 1976 Dodge Monaco.

&uot;The first one’s always the best, but it feels as good as it did in ’97,&uot; said Ellingson.

And what was his strategy?

&uot;Just try to keep it cool and put your head in a swivel,&uot; he said. &uot;Always watch out for the other guy.&uot;

Ellingson got a trophy and a check for $1,000 for first place. His sponsors were Western Truck and Body, Skyline Hairport, and Office Bar.

The second through seventh-place finishers, with prize money: Nielsen, $500; Kelly Ellingson, $250; Mike Gaines, $175; Terry Smith, $100; Jesse Kruse, $75; Darren Sonnek, $50.

The Hardest Hitter trophy in the Open Division went to Gaines.

Two area women, Katie Venechuk of Northwood and Amber Johnson of Geneva, opted to compete in the Open Division instead of the Powder Puff.

The Compact Division attracted more than 30 entrants, the most ever, and Scott Kast of Freeborn won it in a 1985 Mustang.

&uot;I was No. 85 in an ’85 Mustang, it must have been a good omen,&uot; said Kast, 39. &uot;It was my daughter’s car. I just took the license plates off it in June.&uot;

It was the first derby ever for Kast, who got the car ready with the help of his 14-year-old son, Nicolaus.

Kast, who said his strategy was to, &uot;Hit ’em and run,&uot; decided to enter the derby more or less on a whim.

&uot;My brother-in-law did it for years,&uot;

he said. &uot;I had a car I didn’t need anymore and thought I’d give it a try.&uot;

Kast, sponsored by Scooter’s Repair, Pride Builders and Mark Goskeson, took home a check for $833. Tyler Tews was second, earning $238. Wade Johnson earned $119 for third.

Josh Gulbrandson was named Hardest Hitter in the Compact Division.

There were eight entries in the ladies Powder Puff Division and three remained running at the end &045; Jessie Esse, Tammy Gaines and Anne Gulbrandson.

Gaines’ car stalled first, and the others quickly followed. Esse got hers fired up one final time for the win.

Esse, 21, drove a 1987 Crown Victoria that was prepared by her boyfriend Jon Bronson, and Mike and Andy Anderson.

&uot;It feels awesome,&uot; said Esse, Glenville. &uot;My strategy was to go out there and win the Hardest Hitter or try to win something.&uot;

Esse was sponsored by Esse Show Cattle and JAM Auto. First place was worth $224. Gulbrandson got $64 for second and Gaines pocketed $32 for third.

Sheryl Ellingson was named Hardest Hitter in the Powder Puff.

Winners of the Albert Lea Jaycees Demolition Derby:

Open Division

-2003 &045; Shawn Ellingson, Glenville

-2002 &045; Kelly Ellingson, Glenville

-2001 &045; John Hornberger, Glenville

-2000 &045; Mike Gaines, Glenville

-1999 &045; Mike Gaines, Glenville

-1998 &045; Terry Smith, Albert Lea

-1997 &045; Shawn Ellingson, Glenville

-1996 &045; Terry Smith, Albert Lea

-1995 &045; Steve VanRyswyk, Albert Lea

-1994 &045; Loren Prange, Wells

-1993 &045; Mike Gaines, Glenville

-1992 &045; Pat Bute, Alden

-1991 &045; Scott Carroll, Austin

Powder Puff Division

-2003 &045; Jessie Esse, Glenville

-2002 &045; Sheryl Ellingson, Glenville

-2001 &045; Tammy Gaines, Glenville

-2000 &045; Jo Dagestad, Emmons

-1999 &045; Sue Smith, Albert Lea

-1998 &045; Carol Thistlethwaite, Clarks Grove

-1997 &045; Debbie Madsen, Albert Lea

-1996 &045; Jodie Bachtle, Northwood

-1995 &045; Jolene Bute, Alden

-1994 &045; Jolene Bute, Alden

-1993 &045; Jill Schaefer, Albert Lea

-1992 &045; Jolene (Ignaszewski) Bute, Wells

-1991 &045; Jolene (Ignaszewski) Bute, Wells

Compact Car Division

-2003 &045; Scott Kast, Freeborn

-2002 &045; Ken Laite, Albert Lea

-2001 &045; Terry Smith, Albert Lea

-2000 &045; Jerry Westrum, Glenville

-1999 &045; Steve VanRyswyk, Albert Lea

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports @albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)