Benton Neighbor Days Mud Racing

August 31, 2019

For racers young and old, the mud racing tradition continued at the annual Neighbor Days festival Saturday Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Tyler Graef

Matthew Jenkins, left, is congratulated by his father, Rick, after crossing the finish line at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Blake Jarrell, 11, washes off in a fire hose after competing in the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Matthew Jenkins, 14, waits to enter the mudpit before running his first-ever mud race at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton. The cast on his arm, he explained, was because he'd broken his hand the day before playing dodgeball.

Rick Jenkins cheers for his 14-year-old son, Matthew, at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Matthew Jenkins looks at the mud on his '85 Chevy Scottsdale at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Matthew Jenkins watches cellphone video of his first-ever mud race run at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Rick and Matthew Jenkins celebrate after Matthew's first-ever mud race run at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Randy Cox addresses drivers before the start of the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Drew Benson, 6, glances at his grandfather, Rodney, while playing in Rodney's mud-racing truck before the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Boyd Thompson competes in the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Reagan Dollins, center runs from the sound of a loud engine while her friend Sophia Jones, right, looks on at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Cooper Phillips, center, prepares to race at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Boyd Thompson, left, and Jeff Hall work on Thompson's Ford Bronco at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Boyd Thompson works to tune up his engine after his first run at the annual mud races during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

Children participate in the halftime footrace at the annual mud races, led by Trace Groves, 11, center, who would win the race during Benton Neighbor Days Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton. "Just find the straight and run!" Groves later said of his race strategy.

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For racers young and old, the mud racing tradition continued at the annual Neighbor Days festival Saturday Aug. 31, 2019 in Benton.

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