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Figure 8 races deliver Sunday night chaos
A crowd-pleasing summer night of figure 8 racing at the Teton County Fairgrounds—loud, local, and a fun change-up from hikes and river days.
Event details
The Teton County Fair Figure 8 Races close the 69th annual fair each July with a metal crunching spectacle. Organized by the Teton County Fair Board, the races take place on the last Sunday of July at the Teton County Fairgrounds, located at 305 to 350 West Snow King Avenue in Jackson.
The 2025 event is scheduled for July 27 and begins at 7:00 PM, following gate openings at 6:00 PM.
The format and folklore
Six heats feature six drivers each completing 12 laps around a figure eight dirt track where the two ovals intersect, creating guaranteed collision points. This format replaced the demolition derby around 2007 to 2008, roughly 17 years after the demolition derby debuted in 1989.
Jorge Meneses claimed back to back championships in 2024 and 2025, with Ruben Gallegos and Joey Parker frequently finishing in second and third place. Local legend Shaun King founded Redneck Racing and won the 2007 demolition derby.
In 2025, Eric Hiltbrunner’s car flipped and caught fire. He evacuated safely as Jackson Hole Fire and EMS extinguished the blaze.
The spectator experience
A long standing tradition of dollar bill wagering fills the grandstands with informal betting, while emcee Jeff Moran provides lively commentary. Miss Teton County rides atop a car during the National Anthem, and the so called forklift of doom stands ready to remove stalled vehicles.
The atmosphere has been compared to Waluigi Stadium from Mario Kart, with burning metal, smoke stained sunset skies, and electric crowd energy.
Tickets historically cost $30 for adults and $15 for children ages five to thirteen, with at least one year selling out within 36 hours. Ticket sales open July 1 at 8:00 AM through tetoncountyfair.com and the Teton County Fair Office.
General fairgrounds admission remains free. Only ticketed events and carnival rides require additional payment.
Practical considerations for families
This is a very loud event, and hearing protection is essential for young children. The fair itself includes family friendly attractions such as petting zoos, All Aboard Train rides, laser tag, and the Diaper Derby.
Parking is extremely limited, and organizers strongly recommend biking, walking, or taking the START bus. A bike corral is located in the southeast corner of the Grassy Arena. Races typically conclude around 11:00 PM, which may be late for younger children.
Combining with lake adventures
Phelps Lake is located 15 to 20 miles away, roughly a 25 to 35 minute drive, making it possible to hike in the morning and attend the fair in the afternoon. Jenny Lake is 26 miles away with a 35 to 40 minute drive, while Jackson Lake sits 36 miles away and takes approximately 49 to 55 minutes to reach. These destinations work well for day before or day after excursions.
Nearby dining with history
The Blue Lion has served fine dining game meats in a 1930s era building for more than 40 years. The Gun Barrel Steak and Game House, opened in 1993, is located at Snow King Resort and is known for bison and elk dishes.
King’s Grill, opened in May 2016, sits directly on Snow King Avenue for convenient pre race dining. Café Genevieve operates from a historic log cabin and is well known for Southern style brunch and its signature Pig Candy.
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