Feagan wins All-American title

Michael Beaven, Sports Correspondent
Published: July 26, 2008

AKRON, Ohio — Brandon Feagan had modest expectations Saturday at the beginning of the 71st All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

Feagan, 15, was seeking to improve upon last year’s performance in Akron when he won one race and then lost the next in the Masters competition.

Feagan showed significant improvement Saturday and earned the Rally Masters division world championship after winning four races at legendary Derby Downs. His winning times were 29.06 seconds, 29.12, 29.14 and 29.20 in the final round.

“I was just hoping to get a couple of wins,” said Feagan, a Richardsville resident and sophomore-to-be at Eastern View High School. “I didn’t think I would get the whole thing and win a title.”

Feagan was one of the 21 finalists in the different race divisions that got to ride in a golf cart up the hill and receive an escort from Akron Police Department officers that rode on motorcycles prior to the final round.

“It’s amazing, especially since I am the first one from my local (derby) area to win a championship,” Feagan said. “Culpeper has had derby racing for six years and has grown into the second largest derby in the world. I had not idea at all that I could do this. It is just incredible.”

Feagan’s parents, Linda Sue and Charlie, were in attendance and both were overjoyed at their son’s performance on a very sunny humid summer day.

“We thought he could make it back to Akron, but we never thought he would be a world champion,” Linda Sue Feagan said. “I am very proud of him.”

Said Charlie Feagan: “I am very pleased with the driver and the builder. Paul Bates Sr. is the owner and builder of the car that Brandon drives. He did a tremendous job.

After the first round, I told Brandon I had a feeling that he might win.”

Brandon Feagan said he plans to return to Akron for another Soap Box Derby.

“I hope to come back in super stock local or super stock rally,” he said.

When asked what he aspires to do for a living, Brandon said: “I might take over my father’s business or get into computers. My father is the co-owner of Culpeper Machine and Supply with my uncle Allen Feagan.”

Regardless of which path he chooses, Brandon Feagan will always be remembered as the first Soap Box Derby world champion from the Culpeper area.