HOULTON – Nine thousandths of a second.

That was the difference Saturday between a trip to Akron, Ohio, for the 64th annual All-American National Soap Box Derby finals and staying home.

Thanks to all nine of those thousandths, Akron is where 12-year-old Brandon Arey of Caribou will be on July 28 as the winner of the super stock (230 pounds) division at the 6th annual Northern Maine Soap Box Derby. Joining him will be Houlton’s Alex Mooers, another 12-year-old who won the stock (200 pounds) division by a much more liberal .022 seconds.

Despite forecasts to the contrary, the weather didn’t put a damper on the day-long event despite a whipping wind early in the day and dark, threatening skies over Derby Hill.

Even two crashes, which organizers say happen rarely at these events, failed to curb the enthusiasm, competition, and sportsmanship at the family and fan-packed Community Park race site.

In fact, one of the crashes – which involved two cars swerving off the track and into the first row of a bleachers section, resulting in two young spectators being taken by ambulance to Houlton Regional Hospital – went from being a source of widespread shock, unease, and concern among organizers, racers and fans alike to one of courage and inspiration.

“It happened so fast I really didn’t get to think of anything,” said 11-year-old Hodgdon super stock racer Taylor Quint, whose car drifted right, into opponent Marcus Neal’s Lane and caused both cars to veer right into the protective hay bales and stands. “I guess something popped in my steering and it was steering opposite the way I wanted. When I tried to go out, I turned in.”

Two hours after the injured children – teen super stock racer Ashley Gard, who had just finished her last run, and younger brother Dylan – were immobilized and taken off by stretchers as an eerily silent crowd of 2,000-plus looked and listened, a call came in from the hospital and the public address man announced good news: Other than some bumps, bruises, and other superficial wounds, both children were doing well.

The atmosphere immediately brightened and so did the weather, as clouds gave way to muted sunshine. The only thing left to improve was the spirits of the two racers involved in the crash.

Although neither was injured, their confidence was shattered. In fact, Quint blamed herself for the accident, something good friend Neal talked her out of.

“I told her it was just an accident,” said Houlton’s Neal, 11. “She said she didn’t want to race and I go ‘Well, there’s no sense in a little accident like this ruining the rest of the day.’ ”

When Neal told her he’d only race again if she did, she reluctantly agreed to give it a try.

“It was kind of scary, but after everyone started cheering us on, and everyone was so nice to us, I felt a lot better,” said Neal. The assembled crowd roared with applause and encouragement as both racers completed their first and second heat runs.

“It was real scary. My last race was when things were more regular to me… but it can never be normal again,” said Quint, who beat Neal in both heats before losing in the second round. “I don’t know if I’ll do it [next year]. I’ll be here, but I’m not sure if I’ll race.”

Neal says if he has anything to say about it, she will.

“I’ve got a whole year so I think I can encourage her to get back on the track again next year,” he said.

For their inspirational effort in overcoming obstacles, both Neal and Quint were presented with the True-Value Hard Charger Awards at the post-Derby dinner, which was also attended by Ashley and Dylan Gard. Ashley, who designed the Northern Maine Derby’s Potato Racer logo, also drew the winning number for the $750 50-50 drawing, which was won Mitch Holmes of Houtlton, who promptly gave it back to the Derby committee.

Mooers and Arey are the fifth and sixth of eight stock and super stock regional champions Maine will send on to Akron. The last two slots will be filled Saturday, June 30 at the Southern Maine Derby in South Portland. In all, 19 Mainers (including rally and master’s division representatives) will race at nationals.

“It’s, oh, what’s that word? I’m thinking it’s very exciting. It’s kind of awesome,” said Arey, who had never finished higher than fifth in three years of racing. “I never thought I’d go this far. We were just hoping to have a few runs and place in the top 16.”

Arey won six races to finish ahead of 73 other racers in the stock division. He beat Linneus’ Karla Hethcoat, 10, in the second heat by .1506 seconds to overcome Hethcoat’s .141 edge in the first.

“This is my first year,” said Hethcoat. “I just wanted to do this for the fun of it, and I had a LOT of fun today.”

Mooers had an even tougher road to Akron as he won seven races to finish at the top of a 109-car field – Not to mention the fact he had to beat his brother and stepsister just to get into the finals.

“I beat Elliot and Keegan, my brother and stepsister to win,” said Alex, who got a hug from his younger brother. “It wasn’t embarrassing. It was kind of cool.

“It wasn’t fun because you don’t want to knock someone out who you helped with their car and everything, but at least we knew one of us was going on.”

Family is a big part of the Mooers’ racing success. Older sister Amanda won the stock title three years ago after beating Alex in the fourth round.

Houlton’s 11-year-old Robbie Aucoin, Mooers’ finals opponent, is also familiar with the perils of racing against family. He was stock runnerup last year after his older brother beat him for the title.

“It was nicer not having to race my brother this year, but I still wanted to win,” the two-time runnerup said. “I don’t really mind it. Number two twice is pretty good, but my brother will probably tease me for not winning, though.”

Other winners Saturday included Alicia Dudzinski Spirit Award winner Ashley Bailey of Houlton, Wayne Miller Sportsmanship Award winner Gordon Sloat of Hodgdon, Committee Award winners Derrick McAfee of Houlton and Lyron Blum-Evitts of Millinocket, VIP (technical) Award winners Jeffrey Holmes of Houlton (stock) and Ashley Gard (super), plus Josh Woods (super) and Jake Anderson (stock) of Houlton for the best-decorated cars.

At Community Park, Houlton

Super Stock division: 1. Brandon Arey, 2. Karla Hethcoat, 3. Abe Carmichael, 4. Ashley Bailey, 5. Michael Cleary, 6. Joshua Harvey, 7. Kurston Kelly, 8. Justin Lincoln

Stock division: 1. Alex Mooers, 2. Robbie Aucoin, 3. Lyron Blum-Evitts, 4. Justin Haggerty, 5. Justine Sloat, 6. Chelsea Sloat, 7. Ben Torres, 8. Keegan Hovey