Action from an early heat race.

Ohio racers sweep titles at Soap Box Derby

More than 500 racers representing five countries competed

AKRON, Ohio -- The state of Ohio swept the three racing divisions and claimed world titles at the 68th annual All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD) Championship presented by Levi Strauss SignatureTM held Saturday at Derby Downs.

	NASCAR driver Erin Crocker poses with the "Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year."
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Nick Hoffman (stock division), Tyler Gallagher (super stock) and Stephanie Inglezakis (masters) won their respective divisions in the gravity-powered world championship event, which features boys and girls ages 8-17. Hoffman, 9, of Lancaster, Ohio, defeated Dillion Gubbels, 10, of Omaha, Neb. (second) and Matt Squeglia, 12, of Erie, Pa. (third) in the stock division.

In super stock, Gallagher, 14, of Mantua, Ohio, edged out Taylor Thome of Columbus, Ohio (second), and Shannon Kennedy of Kansas City, Mo. (third). In masters, Inglezakis, 16, from Stow, Ohio, defeated Robbie Reuss of Washington, D.C., and Adam Fitzgerald of Waynesboro, Va. Each competitor had to win his / her local race to advance to Akron.

Levi Strauss Signature, the event's title sponsor, awarded the three world champions with $5,000 college scholarships. Runner-ups and third-place winners received $3,000 and $2,000 from the AASBD, respectively. The AASBD is an official youth initiative of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR).

In the rally competition, Kirby Gagne (stock), Justin Kurk (super stock) and Ryan Siefker (masters) won their respective divisions. Gagne, 12, of Winter Springs, Fla., downed Jamie Berndt, 16, of Canfield, Ohio (second), and Catherine Pluta, 14, of Pittsford, N.Y. (third), in rally stock. In rally super stock, Kurk, 14, defeated Ryan Yniguez, 13, of West Hills, Calif. (second), and Ashley Wilt, 15, of Akron, Ohio (third).

Siefker, 13, of Delphos, Ohio, snatched the rally masters title by besting Michael Corson, 14, of New Milford, Conn. (second), and Melanie Boese, 16, of Tucson, Ariz. (third). Rally champions received $3,000 college scholarships, followed by $2,000 for second and $1,500 for third, courtesy of the AASBD.

The 2005 finals showcased more than 500 competitors from 43 states, the District of Columbia and four foreign countries (Japan, Germany, New Zealand and Canada).

Soap Box Derby world champions in the Local Division

In addition, Evernham Motorsports driver Erin Crocker made a special appearance at the championship. Crocker, who is a member of the Evernham Motorsports driver development program, interacted with the derby competitors, signed autographs, participated in a celebrity oil can race and took part in the closing awards ceremony.

Title sponsor, Levi Strauss Signature, presented the Ringold family of Fredericksburg, Virginia the "Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year" award prior to the championship heat races. The Ringold family was selected for its contributions to this great youth racing pastime by exemplifying the core values of the Levi Strauss Signature(tm) brand and the AASBD, which include: teamwork, dedication, competition, perseverance, sportsmanship and a sense of family.

The family was nominated by Alvin Staples, director of the Fredericksburg AASBD chapter. Parents, Gregg and Janice, with children, Gennifer and Jonathan, and neighbors, Chris and Daniel, attended the Derby Championship as guests of Levi Strauss Signature.