"Old Iron" by Photographer Michael Dean Lemon

"Immersing myself in this circuit allowed me to move beyond the spectacle of the events and into the lives of the drivers and their families. Through conversations and shared time, I began to understand what draws them to this sport: tradition, resilience, community, and the preservation of a way of life passed down through generations. Demolition derbies, like many forms of motorsport, are frequently reduced to stereotypes associated with working-class or 'redneck' culture."

"While I often found myself at odds with the political views expressed within these spaces, the project resists caricature. Instead, it seeks to portray the complexity of the people involved-individuals who are hardworking, generous, deeply committed to family, and proud of their communal bonds. By focusing on moments both within and beyond the arena, this series explores themes of identity, class, and belonging, challenging preconceived notions of Americana and inviting a more nuanced understanding of a subculture shaped by grit, care, and connection."

Michael Dean Lemon spent three months in summer 2025 traveling across the Midwest, attending 14 demolition derbies in four states and forming close relationships with many drivers and their families. The collection 'Old Iron' comprises eight images selected from a larger body of work. Immersion in the derby circuit revealed motivations rooted in tradition, resilience, community, and the preservation of a multigenerational way of life. The images resist reductive stereotypes, portraying participants as hardworking, generous, family-focused, and proud of communal bonds. The series examines identity, class, and belonging, challenging preconceived notions of Americana and presenting a nuanced view of a resilient subculture.

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