“He always had a smile on his face, always lived at full throttle and would absolutely help anyone,” the Ellman family told The Post-Journal in a statement.

Ellman, who was one of the best demolition derby drivers in New York state during his lifetime, was a crowd favorite at the derby, a popular draw that helps close the local fair each year.

The Ellman family said Chad was an entertaining driver and was known to be a crowd-pleaser. “Everyone that came to watch the derby knew they were going to see a good show if Chad was running,” they said.

Beyond the competition, Ellman impacted the community in other ways.

The Chautauqua County Fair Demolition Derby will be returning this year after a two-year absence. The Chad Ellman Memorial Trophy is one of the featured awards each year. The award is named in memory of Chad Ellman, who lived at “full throttle.” Submitted photos

“He would drop anything he was doing to help anyone out that needed it,” Cindy Ellman said. “He had a never-quit spirit.”

Ellman, who died in January 2015 at the age of 42, had a special impact on the children in the community as well. As co-owner of Ellman’s Garage in Dunkirk, he often had the opportunity to interact with kids when they came to the shop.

“Kids would stop by the garage, and no matter how busy he was, he would drop what he was doing to air up their bicycle tires,” the Ellman family said.

Each year, the Chad Ellman Memorial Trophy is presented to one of the contestants at the Chautauqua County Fair Demolition Derby. The trophy has helped keep his legacy alive.

“The trophy is awarded to the person or team, chosen by his brothers Todd and Jimmy Ellman, that put on the best show and with the hardest hitting,” Cindy Ellman said. “It is in the hopes that the winner of the trophy will feel as honored to win it, as we are to honor his memory.”

The Ellman family said the Chautauqua County Fair expects this year’s demolition derby to be even better than usual, after a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From the derby community, they’re talking about it being a very hard hitting, and entertaining show since people were cooped up for two years,” they said. “It will be something you’ll need to see.”

The Chautauqua County Fair Demolition Derby is one of the main featured events at the fair each year and draws a large crowd to the grandstand in anticipation of major action. This year’s demolition derby will kick off tonight and will conclude on Sunday night.

“In talking with several drivers, they are all very excited to get hitting,” the Ellman family said in its statement to the newspaper. “The Chautauqua County Fair was always one the things to look forward to once summer hit, and the demolition derby was always one of the biggest features. There is always a hope to win the feature as there is no better feeling than winning in your home town.”

This year, the Chad Ellman Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the driver that most resembles Chad’s legacy. However, the Ellman family said it would be difficult for someone to carry on his legacy because of his full commitment to everything he did in life.

“If anyone could carry on his legacy, they would have to live life to the fullest as Chad always did,” they said.