Soap Box Derby driver practices generosity at Saturday's contest

Robert Blessing of Friedheim has tasted the thrill of victory in 2008, winning the annual Cape Girardeau Rotary Club Soap Box Derby and advancing to the famed All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

This year, the 14-year-old shared that experience by means of a simple gesture during Saturday's races on Sprigg Street in front of Blanchard Elementary School.

When Blessing was asked to drive with Greg Swinney, an entrant in the Super Kids Classic division for racers with special needs, he let Swinney wear his Champion's helmet during their run together. The Champion's helmet was a memento Blessing received at Akron in recognition of his 2008 accomplishment.

"I let him wear the helmet so he could see feel what it's like to have a champion's thing," Blessing said between heats in the Super Stock Division Saturday afternoon. "I wanted him to feel even more special."

All four racers in the new Super Kids Classic division received trophies in recognition of their participation, which had them seated beside a driver in specially built two-seat cars that allowed the special needs racers access to the brake and steering.

Ironically, it was another unselfish act by Blessing that led to his 2008 victory and trip to Akron.

As a 12-year-old that year, Blessing was entered in the Super Stock Division, which features bigger, heavier cars for drivers ages 10 to 17. A driver in the Stock Division, for ages 8 to 13, found that his legs were too long to fit into his car.

On learning about the situation, Blessing volunteered to trade cars, allowing the other driver to drive his bigger Super Stock car, even though it meant moving down to the Stock Division. Blessing piloted the smaller car to victory in that race.

Blessing, who is the son of Melissa Sandler of Friedheim and Bobby Blessing of Perryville, Mo., said his parents have set the example of unselfishness that he tries to follow.

"I learned a lot from [Dad] and my mom," Blessing said.

While some drivers, like Blessing, are Soap Box Derby veterans, others, like Nicholas Moore of Jackson, entered for the first time this year.

The Jackson 12-year-old was entered in the Super Stock Division and drove a new racer he and his father, Chad, assembled.

Tracey Glenn, chairwoman of this year's event, said there were 38 entries in this year's event, the most in the history of the local competition, which helps the Rotary Club to fund projects such as local scouting organizations, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Cape Girardeau Public Library and other community needs.

2010 Cape Girardeau Rotary Soap Box Derby

Listed are the results of Saturday's Soap Box Derby by division, with entrant's name, car number and sponsor:

Stock Division

1) Hayden Shovan, 7, Centenary UMC

2) Justin Litzelfelner, 103, Bent Creek Golf Course

3) Josh Glenn, 60, Cape Rotary

4) Allie Pujol, 2, Cape West Rotary

Super Stock Division

1) Nicholas Moore, 82, Southeast Missouri Hospital

2) Ally McHughs, 96, Plaza Tire Service.

3) Katelyn Rinehart, 03, Rushing Marine

4) Brianne Randol, 04, Rushing Marine

Super Kids Classic entrants (non-competition), with participants/drivers:

Peyton Young/Cy Young

Carley House/Calli House

Kayla Dannenmueller/Brianne Randol

Greg Swinney/Robert Blessing

Special starter for Super Kids Classic was Garrett Jones