Hartline’s Derby run gathers speed

Moore County gravity racer to compete Saturday in the 88th All-American Soap Box Derby

11:18 a.m. July 17, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

The old plaque hanging on Benton Hartline’s bedroom wall tells the story of a race that ended one place short of Akron.

The newest chapter is being written in Akron.

Benton, a Moore County Middle School student, swept all three of his heats Wednesday during the Challenge Races at the 88th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

The Challenge Races were separate from Saturday’s World Championship, but they gave Benton a chance to race down Derby Downs three times – once in each lane – before the main event.

They also added another turn to a family story that began nearly six decades ago.

A family story reaches Akron

In 1969, Benton’s grandfather, Russell Creager, raced a homemade car through downtown Nashville. He finished second, missing a trip to the Soap Box Derby World Championship by one place.

Almost Akron.

Creager carried that memory for more than 50 years. Then Benton entered the Tullahoma Soap Box Derby this spring, battled through roughly 23 runs, climbed back through the lower bracket after an early loss, and earned the trip his grandfather narrowly missed.

Afterward, Creager gave Benton the plaque he won in Nashville. Benton placed it on his bedroom wall.

This time, the family made it to Akron.

Benton and the other local qualifiers arrived July 10 for a week that involved far more than racing. The cars had to be transported, prepared, inspected, weighed, photographed, adjusted, and cleared by officials before they could roll down the hill.

Before leaving Tennessee, Benton spent plenty of time tucked into the racing position while Dr. Joseph Thomasson helped the Hartline family spindle the car and properly align its axles.

Thomasson’s daughter, Soph, also qualified for Akron and is competing in the Super Stock division. John Brotherton earned a place in the Super Kids division.

Benton’s car made the trip separately with Richard Shasteen. Its axles were protected with pool noodles during transportation. Once it arrived, fresh decals were added, the shell was prepared, and Akron officials assigned Benton his official race number: 306.

The car was then placed in holding until Sunday’s official Check-In Day.

Repairs, inspections, and one run down Lane 3

Initial inspectors found several items that needed attention. Benton, his father, Russell, and his younger sister, Mary Hazel, began making the required repairs before Car No. 306 could move forward.

Mary Hazel, a student at Lynchburg Elementary School, did more than watch. She helped tow the crates and screw the car’s shell into place.

She hopes to race in Tullahoma next year, so every repair, inspection, and trip through the pits became part of the experience.

The Hartlines worked through an 11-station process that included alignment work, steering and brake checks, safety inspections, official photographs, weighing, and a trial run. Every adjustment had to be approved before the car could advance to the next station.

The process took roughly 4½ hours. It ended with Benton strapped inside Car No. 306 and rolling down Lane 3 at Derby Downs.

He did not see the car again until Wednesday’s Challenge Races, when he made one run in each of Derby Downs’ three lanes.

Three heats, three wins

Benton won all three heats.

Soph also competed Wednesday in the Super Stock Challenge Races, giving the Tullahoma qualifiers their first taste of competition at Derby Downs.

For Benton, the runs offered a chance to study the hill, feel how the car handled, and learn something with each trip.

That approach helped carry him through the local race in Tullahoma.

Now, it has given him three wins in Akron.

Smoke disrupts the final day

Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into Akron on Thursday, disrupting the final day of preparations at Derby Downs. Officials canceled Friday’s Derby events because of the conditions.

Benton still spent Friday morning with the other qualifiers at the Breakfast of Champions at Vicious Biscuit.

Weather moving into the area later in the day could help clear the smoke and improve conditions before Saturday’s racing.

One more hill waiting Saturday

The 88th All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Derby Downs. Benton will line up against Stock division champions who earned their trips from communities across the country and beyond.

A grandfather once finished one place short.

A grandson found his own hill, earned his own trip, and brought the family all the way to Akron.

Now, Car No. 306 has three Challenge Race wins to its credit.

The smoke has added another layer of uncertainty.

But the hill is still waiting Saturday.