Crashing for the cure

By Torry Stiles

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Demolition derby drivers will often joke they are on a mission for mayhem, but the Southside’s Roger Murdick is crashing for a cause. When Murdick rolls in for his second appearance in the Lucas Oil Stadium next week, he will be piloting a bright pink Cadillac decorated with pink ribbons supporting breast cancer research. “I always wanted to run an all-pink car, but the other guys would make fun of me. So now I can do this and they can’t say a word.” [ad#single-post] Murdick will be appearing in a demolition derby as part of a monster truck program at the Lucas Oil Stadium on Jan. 30. The field for the event is by invitation only and features top drivers from the 2009 season. The 40,000+ audience is the largest these weekend warriors will see, and just making the show is a badge worn proudly by the drivers. Murdick hopes to get the crowd’s attention with his eye-catching paint and message. The message will be backed up at a pre-event “pit party” where fans can meet Murdick, see the car up close and even autograph his car before the show. Donations will be accepted and Murdick is also donating any winnings from the evening’s run. Murdick thanks Dana Kirsch of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for providing advice, if not an official endorsement for the dangerous undertaking. “They thought it might not look good if I got hurt out there,” he quipped. Murdick’s wife Amber is especially proud of her man’s efforts. Her grandmother is a 30-year breast cancer survivor. Southside businesses feature prominently in the effort. Murdick’s 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood was provided by the Cadillac experts at CarTech. Gene Bell at 317 Graphics is providing an extensive package of decals and designs including the popular “Save Second Base” and labels from “www.SaveTheTatas.com.” Daming Excavating houses the construction effort when Roger’s father, Charles Murdick, allows the boy time off from their family business, Murdicks & Sons, Inc. Other assistance came from Speedrome champion Jack Dossey, Jr., who is famous for his bright pink creations and PGG Enterprises who have backed Murdick for several seasons in the demo derby arenas. This will be Murdick’s second appearance in Lucas. He also ran in the final event at the old Hoosier Dome. He qualified for the event by posting top finishes in demolition derbies across Indiana including wins at the Rush County Fair and in Noblesville. He will be joined by 11 other drivers including Johnson County Fair champions Robbie Willey and Marc Hommel.

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