Skip to main content

Gridley Herald

Fair Grandstand Crowns Winners

Sep 08, 2026 04:23PM ● By Seti Long
bull riding

A roping team attempts to snare a calf during the Mardesich Team Roping event. One roper lassos the head while the other attempts to lasso the hind feet. Photo by Seti Long


GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Fair featured three main grandstand events: Mardesich Team Roping Friday, Aug. 28, Flat Track Racing Saturday, Aug. 29, and the Destruction Derby by V&R Motorsports Sunday, Aug. 30.

Mardesich Team Roping

The Mardesich Team Roping Scholarship was awarded to Blake Early, who is attending Cal Poly.

“We wish you nothing but success, happiness and great opportunities as you being this next chapter,” presenter Maddie Klein Mardesich said.

Reported results as of publication included youth category winners Colt Bray and Tucker Martson; 2-Under category winners Daniel Owen and Tucker Martson; and High-Money Female category winner Kaley Schorovsky, who received a buckle and $250 gift certificate.

Flat Track Racing

More than 20 heats of racers took to the track Saturday night at the Butte County Fairgrounds.

Due to the extensive list of winners, only first-place finishers for each heat are listed.

Race 1, Vintage A: Bryan Berna. Race 2, Vintage C: Bruce Smith. Vintage 50+: Richard Dermody. Race 3, Master A: Mike Inderbitzin. Race 4: Erik Hester. Race 5, 250 Air Cooled Adult: Robert McDonnell.

Race 6, 50cc Pee Wee Class 1: David Sauceda. Race 7, 50cc Pee Wee Class 2: Gunner Brunet. 50cc Pee Wee Class 4: Owen Marrs. Race 8, Vintage 50+ A: Bryan Berna. Race 9, Senior A: Michael McDonnell. Race 10, 50cc Pee Wee Class 3: Rayce Hansen.

Race 11, 40+ 100 Open Traction: Paul Hester. Race 12, 85cc: Wyatt Elsholz. Race 13, Open Singles: Jonathan Fong. Race 14, Framer Shootout: Michael Inderbitzin. Race 15, 65cc: Rayce Hansen. Race 16, Money Class 100: Tony Meiring.

Race 17, 250 C: Bryan Aguirre. Super Senior B: David Rich. Race 18, Run of the Bulls: Jonathan Schaefer. Race 19, Master B: David Gengenbach. Open B: Jonathan Fong. Race 20, 100 Modified 40-50+: Joseph Cunnington. 100 Stock and Modified Youth: Corbin Johnson. Youth 100 Open Traction: Cloie Engstrom.

Race 21, Open A: Christian Knox.

Destruction Derby - V&R Motorsports

Multiple rounds entertained fairgoers, including a motorhome round. V&R Motorsports provided a full payout for the '80s cars, with a top prize of $10,000.

Reported main heat winners were Gene Frederick, car No. 37, first; Troy Tag, car No. 3, second; and Aaron Cyr, car No. 8.

In the '80s and newer category, Daniel Bong, car No. 2, “Ugly,” placed first; Rish Lavallee, car No. 32, placed second; and Brett Gross, car No. 1X, placed third.

Jason Lloyd, car No. 9X, won the Mad Dog category.

In the motorhome category, Bryce Matthew, No. 17, placed first; Brandon Solansky, No. 14, placed second; and Darrin Williams, “On Trac,” placed third.