Every demolition derby has its characters—the big hitters, the quiet assassins, and the guys who make you laugh before, during, and after the show. Then there’s Clutch Marles. An eleven-year veteran of the sport, Clutch has carved out a reputation as one of the most entertaining, unpredictable, and downright fun drivers to watch on the track.
From the Stands to the Arena
Clutch’s story started the way many derby stories do: as a kid watching family. His cousin and uncle were out there smashing iron, and young Clutch caught the bug early. It wasn’t long before he was building cars himself and turning wrecks into highlights. Now, more than a decade later, he’s the guy that fans—and sometimes officials—keep a close eye on.
Backwards by Nature
What sets Clutch apart is simple: he’s the “World’s Greatest Backwards Driver.” You read that right. While most drivers see reverse as a gear to use sparingly, Clutch treats it like a main weapon. In fact, he started pulling onto the track backwards just to prove he had reverse. That little stunt ruffled some feathers, but it also made him unforgettable.
Does it come at a cost? Absolutely. Backing in at full speed doesn’t exactly make you friends in the pit—but it does make the crowd roar.
Cars, Builds, and Battlefields
Ask Clutch about cars and you’ll hear one word pop up quick: Lumina. He’s a huge fan of the Chevy Lumina, but don’t mistake him for a one-trick pony—he’ll crash just about anything if it means a good show.
When it comes to builds, Clutch likes them heavy. A strong car buys him time to think, adapt, and—of course—keep driving in reverse. But he also has a soft spot for the MWFA style, where he can throw something together right at the track and still have fun.
He’s already had some awe-inspiring moments at big shows like Blizzard Bash, the Wicked Team Show, and in Cookeville, Tennessee. For 2025, though, he’s keeping things unpredictable by picking random places to run.
The Unified Points What-If
Clutch had planned on chasing the Unified Points series until it ended abruptly. Instead of slowing him down, though, he’s doubled down on what makes him unique: showing up wherever, whenever, and making sure people remember he was there.
Favorite Quotes and Derby Wisdom
Every good derby driver has a few signature lines, and Clutch is no different. You’ll hear him yell:
- “Am I winning?”
- “Hold my Mt. Dew.”
- “Let’s, Goooooo!!!”
And if you could give him derby advice 10 years ago? Easy answer: Stretch before the derby!
Trucks, Wagons, and What’s Next
Clutch has never run a truck, but he’s pretty sure if he did, he’d be a Suburban guy. Why? Because it’s basically the wagon of trucks—and wagons are derby gold.
Until that day comes, you can bet on seeing Clutch Marles doing what he does best: crashing cars, backing in harder than anyone else in the sport, and making fans laugh with every “Hold my Mt. Dew” moment.
Because at the end of the day, Clutch isn’t just out there to win—he’s out there to make sure everybody has fun watching the chaos unfold.