Josh Decker dominates at the Derby City $5K

Josh Decker led the night as he picked up the main event win and the bottom bulb bonus at the 5th annual Derby City $5K.

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY – The TB Promotions crew kicked off their 2025 season with the Derby City $5K Practice Tree Race over the weekend where Josh Decker shined with winning the $5,000 main event and the bottom bulb bonus. 573 entries staged up for first round and racers battled it out as they all had one goal in mind.

The event was held at The Haycraft in Elizabethtown, KY and consisted of a $5,000-to-win main event, a $1,000-to-win pro-tree shootout, a $3,000 winner-take-all Team Challenge, along with tables piled high with gift certificates, door prizes, and giveaways.

Read the race recap below for more details!

Derby City $5K

$5,000-to-win Main Event

Josh Decker swept the field and held up the $5,000 big check at the end of the night after defeating Austin Richardson in the final round. Decker was hitting off the bottom bulb all night, taking home the no-box bonus and carrying his own all the way to the final round.

Blake Webb was the lone semi-finalist.

Nichole Medeisis was our last female standing, earning the bonus as she carried multiple entries into the money rounds.

Verge Quick Outlaw Series Pro-Tree Shootout

Jeff Reed Jr. defeated Shane Carr in the Verge Quick Outlaw Series Pro-Tree shootout and took home the big check. The shootout consisted of 64 entries and Reed found his way in the winner’s circle at the end of it.

Joey Shipp and Shane Williamson were the semi-finalists.

Team Challenge

16 teams squared up against each other and only two remained at the end of the day – Team Richardson Boyz and The Misfits. The Richardson Boyz carried their way to the winner’s circle and took home the $3,000! Austin Richardson, Blake Richardson, and John Labbous Jr. made up Team Richardson Boyz, while Trinity Marshall, Rick Marshall, and Connor Glaser made up The Misfits.

The Three Stooges and Team Last in the Lanes were the semi-finalists.

An avid racer herself, Megan Strassweg, 28, sees her two worlds collide with DragChamp – journalism and drag racing. Megan resides in Evansville, IN, and she pilots a 2015 American Dragster in the NHRA North Central Division 3 Super Comp series, along with some local bracket racing on the side. Her passion for racing began early, having grown up at the racetrack, and she remains committed to the sport. When she’s not racing, you can find her working at WDRB News as a Digital Producer, playing with her two dogs – Clutch and Goose, or spending time with her friends and family.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com