Feagan, Chapman and Miller make early exits in Akron

AKRON, Ohio – A trio of boys from the Culpeper area had a disappointing showing at the 72nd annual All-American Soap Box Derby.

The three boys – Brandon Feagan, Tyler Miller and Hunter B. Chapman V. – were each humbled by a quick exit at legendary Derby Downs on Saturday after each lost in Round 1 and were eliminated from their respective racing divisions.

Feagan had high hopes this year after he won the Rally Masters Division world championship in last year’s event after winning four races.

Feagan, 16, lost Saturday in his first Super Stock heat race to Huntersville, N.C. resident Tarryn Rutherford, who won in a time of 29.65 seconds.

“You can’t win them all,” said Feagan, a junior-to-be at Eastern View High School. “It’s not the greatest thing, but I won last year, so I’ve had mine.”
Maija Liimatainen, of Madison, Wis., won the Super Stock division title.

Feagan remains the only Soap Box Derby world champion from the Culpeper area after earning a 2008 title.

Chapman was also confident Saturday after placing third in last year’s Rally Super Stock division.

Chapman, 16, lost Saturday in his first Rally Masters heat race to Perrysville resident Michelle Rich, who won in a time of 29.40 seconds.

“It’s more about the week,” said Chapman, a junior-to-be at Culpeper County High School. “The race is kind of secondary to the whole week and the whole experience. We have been able to do a lot of stuff with our friends and hang out with people we have met from traveling.”

Megan Hydutsky, of Pottstown, Pa. won the Rally Masters division title.

“It’s a lot of skill mixed with a lot of luck,” Chapman said about the racing.

Miller, 13, lost in his first Stock heat race to North Platte, Neb. resident Jacob Friend, who won in a time of 29.92 seconds.

“My experience in Akron was fun,” said Miller, who will soon enter the seventh grade at Floyd T. Binns Middle School.

“I got to go to different places and see different things. It was an experience of a lifetime.”

Miller said he visited nearby cities Canton to tour the Harry London Chocolate Factory and Sandusky to ride roller coasters at Cedar Point amusement park.

Sarah Whitaker, of Akron, Ohio, won the Stock division.