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SOUTH JORDAN — In a political showdown for the ages, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams took on Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox in the Dog Days of Summer Demolition Derby Saturday during the Salt Lake County Fair.
It was quite the show, but neither McAdams nor Cox won the battle. Before their heat, the two friends said they knew they could easily become the target of the other drivers, and they shared some strategies for survival.
"My goal, my big strategy," Cox said, "is to not get hurt. That's the overwhelming strategy right now, and really to have a good time."
Cox hadn't driven in a demolition derby before, but was excited to give it a try. "It’s the one thing that Fairview is kind of famous for," he said. "For the last 30 years of my life, I’ve been attending demolition derbies regularly."
McAdams, on the other hand, may have had a small edge going into the competition. He came in fifth in the Riverton Demolition Derby, winning his heat to advance to the next round.
The county mayor said he planned to "try to keep moving and stay out of the way."
The big moment of the night happened when a car slammed into the lieutenant governor's vehicle, flipping it upside down. Cox wasn't injured, but he was the first driver booted from the derby.
In the end, it was all about having some bipartisan fun. The real winners were two charities selected by the politicians: The Road Home, picked by Cox, and Sol Scholarship Foundation, which provides assistance to people or family member dealing with addiction, selected by McAdams.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond
