GOSHEN — A love story and the return of a “Miracle” Soap Box Derby competitor highlighted a day of racing at the annual Elkhart County Soap Box Derby at the county fairgrounds in Goshen Saturday.

A surprise visit from Goshen resident and former derby winner Justin Yoder had the crowd cheering as he wheeled himself on to the track. Yoder raced for three years and won the Masters Division in 1999. Disney picked up on the story and created a movie, “Miracle in Lane 2,” based on his experience.

At 10 a.m., Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers faced Goshen police Ptl. Bryan Knowles in the first of two celebrity races.

Starting in Lane 1, dressed in full uniform and racing the “Pregnant Tiger” car was Sheriff Rogers. In Lane 2, also in uniform and racing” Larry the Shark,” was Knowles. After completing the first run, switching lanes and racing a second time, Sheriff Rogers pulled off the win.

Rogers is a two-time champion, winning in last year’s celebrity race against Undersheriff Sean Holmes.

Competitors fall in love

The second celebrity race was between former Elkhart County Soap Box Derby racers Lorraine Taylor and Jordan Cox.

In 2001, 9-year-old Taylor entered the derby as a first-time racer in the stock division. After facing many competitors throughout the day, Taylor won the division and moved on to the World Championships in Akron, Ohio.

“I was eliminated in the first round,” Taylor remembered, “but I had a fantastic time.”

It was there that her family purchased Taylor her own super stock car.

In 2002, Taylor met and competed against then 10-year-old Jordon Cox.

“I placed fourth that year,” Taylor said. “He won!”

The following year, the two raced again and Taylor came out the victor taking the Super Stock championship.

And then the two parted ways, leaving derby racing and pursuing other interests.

But five years later, it was cars that brought them together.

“We were both in the same driver’s ed class,” Taylor said. “He came up to me and said, ‘Do you remember me? We raced Soap Box Derby together!’”

They exchanged phone numbers and dated for a year. They lived just three minutes from each other. Taylor went to Elkhart Christian Academy and Cox was a student at Concord High School.

Although they broke up after a year, Taylor said they remained friends. In her senior year, Taylor transferred to Concord and the two began dating again.

Today, Taylor attends Butler University and studies public relations. Cox is at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and is studying business finance. And they recently became engaged.

Both still have a love of racing.

“I loved spending time with my dad at the derby,” Taylor said. “He was so involved in everything I did. Both of our families always supported us.”

Taylor still has her super stock car and sponsors a driver in the derby each year.

“I love coaching the racers,” Taylor said. “There are tips, tricks and hints to racing in the derby.”

This year Taylor sponsored first-time driver Olivia Hijicek, who placed third in the Super Stock Division.

“I thought she did an excellent job racing,” Taylor said. “She did well and stayed focused — and had a ton of fun!”

Hijicek’s sister, Madeline, is planning to race Taylor’s car next year and Olivia is planning on racing again in another division.

Aside from coaching her drivers, Taylor has always been interested in another kind of racing.

She’s ridden horses for 15 years and competitively for 10 years. She said she aspires to be a jockey.

Cox still has his derby car and is considering fielding a driver in future derby events.

His love of derby racing led him to the motorized go-carts that Cox races today at Whiteland Raceway near Indianapolis.

Wearing his World Championship T-shirt from 2002, and Taylor wearing her Elkhart County Soap Box Derby T-shirt from 2002, the two raced against each other for the first time in nine years.

After racing, changing lanes and racing again, Cox came out the winner.

“Well you know I guess that’s that. It’s settled now!” Taylor said with a laugh.