John Hornberger was just in it for the fun.

Wednesday, August 01, 2001

John Hornberger was just in it for the fun.

He came out of it with two big trophies and a $1,000 check.

Hornberger was the big winner in the annual Albert Lea Jaycees Demolition Derby at the Freeborn County Fair Tuesday night, outlasting an 18-car field in the feature heat. It was the first derby victory and the first time in the money for the 25-year-old Glenville resident, and it was a surprise.

&uot;I was just out here to have fun,&uot; said Hornberger, who drove a 1976 Chevrolet Impala. &uot;Everyone else was here from Glenville, so I had to come out here too.&uot;

And Glenville was well represented.

Kelly Ellingson, who graduated from Glenville-Emmons High School with Hornberger, finished second in a 1975 Impala. Ellingson’s prize was $400.

Tom Lawrence of Albert Lea also drove a ’75 Impala and took third, earning $200. Troy Bachtle placed fourth, Chad Mills fifth; both are from Northwood.

The Hardest Hitter trophy went to Hornberger.

Also qualifying for the championship heat were Jason Olson, Terry Smith, Mike Gaines, Mike Swanson, Jason Roe, Josh Gulbrandson, Brandon Evans, Jamie Neilon, Paul Nielsen, Andy Anderson, Ryan Linde, Shawn Ellingson, Fred Renchin, Richard Ferguson and Jeremy Philips.

Tammy Gaines, the wife of three-time champion Mike Gaines, won the Powder Puff Division in a 1976 Chevrolet. There were 14 cars in the heat – the most in recent memory – and Gaines got $315 for first. Cindy Callahan of Clarks Grove was second, Chris Arnold of Owatonna third. Albert Lea’s Heather Neilsen won the Hardest Hitter trophy.