Pennyrile Soap Box Derby - Madisonville, KY

06/07/2026

🏁 What. A. Day at the track! 🏁

It was long. It was hot. It was slow at times.
But it was also filled with great racing, great sportsmanship, and a whole lot of fun.

Today marked the largest Local Race in Pennyrile Soapbox Derby history, and we couldn’t be more proud of every driver who raced! From our first-time racers to our veteran drivers, each kiddo showed enthusiasm, determination, and sportsmanship!

We’d like to again give a huge thank you to all of our families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who helped make this incredible day possible.

And now, let’s congratulate our 2026 Pennyrile Soapbox Derby Local Champions, who have earned the opportunity to represent Pennyrile at the All-American Soapbox Derby World Championships in Akron, Ohio next month!

🏆 Stock Champion: Katie Wolff
🏆 Super Stock Champion: Leann Salley
🏆 Super Kids Champion: Sawyer Parsons

Congratulations to these three drivers and to every racer who rolled out of the starting ramps today.

And if your kiddo climbed out of the car today wanting more, we’ve got great news! Derby doesn’t end with the Local Race. After Akron, Rally season starts back up in August and offers racers plenty of opportunities to continue competing, improve their driving, and spend more time at the race track! If your family would like to learn more about the rally program, send us a message… we’re always happy to help new racers get started!

{My phone went flat so I grabbed someone else’s to take photos of our champs, but forgot to send them to myself, so I don’t yet have the Winners Circle photos to post. They’ll come tomorrow!}

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

🏁 Rise and Shine, Racers! 🏁

Race Day is finally here!

The track is ready.
The cars are ready.
And now it’s time for the drivers!

We couldn’t be more excited to welcome everyone to the 2026 Pennyrile Soapbox Derby Local Race! We can’t wait to see our drivers, families, volunteers, and fans at the track for an exciting day of racing.

This year’s event is especially exciting as we’re celebrating the largest local race in Pennyrile Soapbox Derby history with 41 drivers taking to the hill - 18 Stock, 13 Super Stock, and 10 Super Kids racers!

Today’s champions will earn the opportunity to represent Pennyrile Soapbox Derby at the All-American Soapbox Derby World Championship in Akron next month!

A huge thank you to all of our racers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make days like this possible. Your dedication, hard work, and love for this sport are what make our derby community so special.

Let’s get ready for a day filled with competition, sportsmanship, friendships, and memories that will last long after the finish line.

We’ll see you at the hill.
Let’s race! 🏎️💨🏆

06/06/2026

Heat sheets for tomorrow!

06/04/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!

Our last driver is Zachary Salley, racing in the Super Stock division! Zach enjoys basketball, scouting, and playing video games. He loves the NBA! His favorite food is Hibachi and he enjoys dancing. Zach has been racing for 6 years, and is a regular at rally races in the Stock Division. He has qualified for the All American World Championship race multiple times.

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Built in the garage, proven on the track

06/04/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!

We’re closing in on our last drivers. Cash Chappell drives The Moneymaker Super Stock. His favorite food is a hamburger, and he enjoys swimming, drawing, shooting, fishing, and playing guitar. Cash has been racing 8 years and has made the trip to Akron for the World Championship Race multiple times. Watch for his lime green 💲on the track!

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Powered by grit and determination

06/04/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!

Next up, we have Katie Wolff. Katie drives the stock car sponsored by Automotive Express! Her favorite food is sushi and her hobbies include soapbox racing, archery, trap shooting, fishing, crafting, jewelry making, and 4-H! She is known as a “huntress” because she is super accurate with her shotgun. This is Katie’s third year to race, and she made her first trip to the All American race last year as a Rally Champ! A fun fact about Katie is that her real middle name is Sassy!

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Fast friends and faster cars

06/03/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!

Up next we have a driver returning for her third year! Jaysie Davis will be racing in the Super Stock division. Her favorite food is Mac & Cheese and her hobbies include cheer, dance, and volleyball. Her favorite position in Volleyball is back middle, and she’s know as Bone Breaker… whether she means her own bones or her opponents is yet to be determined! Head to the track on Saturday to cheer Jaysie and the other kiddos on in their races!

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Living life one heat at a time

06/03/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!

Wyatt Postlewait is a first time racer competing in the stock division. He enjoys playing basketball, baseball, football, video games, swimming, and playing with his friends! His favorite food is peanut butter. Wyatt is a huge Forrest Frank fan and gets to see him in concert this month. Wyatt helps serves at Breaking Bread and serving the homeless in Nashville with God’s Outreach.

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Dream big. Race fast

06/03/2026

The countdown is on for PSDA’s 2026 Local Race so it’s time to meet the drivers who will be racing!
We have another new racer. Let’s meet Rhett McDowell, driving the Warrior Coal Stock Car. Rhett likes football, dancing, and swimming. He is a snack king, and loves all the snacks. His favorite food is French fries and ketchup. Rhett has the ability to make anyone laugh with his jokes and dance moves.

Mark down June 6th in your calendars! The first heats of the day are scheduled to begin around 8:00am.

The races are free for spectators, so come out and join the fun and cheer these kids on as they compete for a chance to race at the World Championship Race in Akron, Ohio in July!

Derby days are the best days