More Than a Hobby: Why Demolition Derby Is a Haugen Family Tradition

If you've followed MeshedDesigns for a while, you probably know our family spends a lot of weekends covered in dust instead of sitting in lawn chairs at a ball field.

For the Haugen family, demolition derbies aren't just something we watch—they've become a big part of our lives together.

People are often surprised when they learn I run derby cars too, so I thought it'd be fun to answer a few of the questions I get asked most often.

Have You Always Loved Demolition Derbies?

Actually…no!

I didn't grow up going to derbies. We weren't really a motorsports family when I was a kid.

That all changed when Brad and I started dating in high school.

Neither of us has ever been big sports people. Instead, we've always gravitated toward motorsports, and demolition derbies quickly became something we enjoyed together. Over the years, that hobby has grown into a family tradition.

Raising Derby Kids

We started taking Karver and Kyler to derbies when they were little. Some of my favorite memories are from those early years—like Karver sitting on Brad's shoulders, completely fascinated by everything happening in the arena.

Now, watching my boys and Brad compete is honestly my favorite part.

Do I still enjoy driving? Absolutely.

But there's something special about sitting in the stands cheering for the people you love.

Do I Prefer Driving or Watching?

These days, I would rather watch my family compete.

That said, I still love getting behind the wheel when I have the chance.

One of my favorite events is the Powder Puff Derby in St. Peter. These female-only classes have become harder and harder to find, so it's always exciting when there's an opportunity to participate. I've also competed alongside the guys a handful of times over the years, and that's been a blast too.

Favorite Places to Watch

People always ask if we have a favorite derby.

Honestly, it isn't always about the biggest show.

We love traveling to some of the larger events, but those can make for very long days. Some of the most exciting derbies we've ever watched have happened at small county fairs where the action never stops.

You never really know where you're going to see an unforgettable show.

What Derby Has Taught Me

One lesson from demolition derby has followed me into both life and business:

Proper planning leads to success.

People often see the few minutes when the cars are crashing and spinning around the arena, but they don't see the hours spent preparing beforehand.

The same is true with home renovations.

A successful project doesn't happen because of luck. It happens because of planning, preparation, attention to detail, and making smart decisions before the work ever begins.

Whether we're building a derby car or planning a kitchen renovation, the process matters.