Fans at the 2013 Freeborn County demolition derby were treated Sunday to flying mud, crushing hits and fire-spitting headers.

The Grandstand was packed. So was the opposite side of the arena, where spectators set up chairs in pickup beds to catch the action. Sixteen-year-old derby fan Drew Folie of Alden said he wouldn’t miss it.

When asked how many years he’s attended, Folie replied without hesitation. “Sixteen years,” he said.

Folie’s favorite part of the derby is the trucks division. Trucks were one of four divisions in the event presented by the Masters of Disaster.

The demolition derby began with the compact division, followed by full-size, mini and trucks.

Despite using his car in two previous derbies this summer, Josh Eischeus took the win in the compact division.

“We ran it down in Northwood and Osage,” Eischeus said, referring to two Iowa derbies. “I looked at it, and decided it wasn’t junk yet, so we brought it here.”

Against all odds, Matt Nicholson took second place out of eight cars in the compact division. Early in the event, his car was bashed on the passenger’s side, nearly flipping the car. Nicholson’s ride balanced on the driver’s side, and officials waved the red flag to make sure Nicholson was uninjured. After flipping his car right-side up, Nicholson fired up the engine with no problems and continued unfazed to earn a $350 payout.

Jim O’Byrne won the full-size division with his ‘89 Lincoln Town Car. After competing in the derby for 10 years and taking a hiatus, O’Byrne said he felt the urge to come back. It paid off this year with a trophy and $1,500, the biggest purse of the derby.

Next, minivans and small trucks lined up in the arena for the mini division. Kevin Joel took first place, and Brady Flatness — the third-place finisher — was awarded the division’s hardest hitter award.

In the mini division, some drivers didn’t remove their exhaust systems, but it was the calm before the storm as the trucks took the arena for the final event.

Tyler Tews of Northwood took first place in his modified ’65 Dodge D-Series. Instead of the truck’s stock straight six engine, Tews installed a 5.3 liter V8. Shawn Ellingson’s No. 185 truck took second.

Heather and Paul Nielsen have organized the derby for the last seven years, Heather said.

In his first year of competition, Chris Lorten took second in the mini division and won the best of show award presented by Debbie Oakland in honor of Pete Oakland.

“I just like the adrenaline when you’re out there,” Lorten said. “That’s the best part.”

Results by division are below photo gallery.

Results by division

Compact 
1. Josh Eischeus 17-X
2. Matt Nicholson 9-N
3. Mike Chisholm 3-B
4. Mark Krause 13-X
5. Ryan Schulz 69-K
Hardest hitter: Josh Eischeus

Full-size
1. Jim O’Byrne 45
2. Tim Neuhalfen 111-X
3. Dyllan Engebretsen 717
4. Colton Neuhalfen 11-X
5. Brooke Bergeson B-9
Hardest hitter: Jim O’Byrne

Mini
1. Kevin Joel 911
2. Chris Lorton 98-C
3. Brady Flatness 40
4. Jim O’Byrne 45
5. Tony Olson I-35
Hardest hitter: Brady Flatness

Trucks
1. Tyler Tews 10-X
2. Shawn Ellingson 185
3. Jeff Knudtson 88-K
4. Ryan Linde 11-X
5. Jon Kluver 189
Hardest hitter: Tyler Tews