My Credentials

People should question with whom they spend their money. You shouldn’t spend it with someone who knows nothing about derbies, and you shouldn’t spend it with someone who may know derbies, but also knows how to rip off derby people (many of them out there!!). So here is a little about me.

During the day, I am a practicing attorney and active member of the Nebraska Bar Association. I completed undergraduate studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1996, and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1999. During my time in school, I spent my summers competing at various derbies in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. I am a licensed Nebraska Automotive Dealer and am bonded in the State of Nebraska for automobiles parts and sales. I am a notary public, and am bonded for that as well. As you can see, I am not some fly-by-night operator who can simple screw people. I value my status as a member of the Nebraska Bar, and have no desire to have any of my bonds revoked.

In the automotive field, I have been involved primarily with the sport of demolition derby. I also have worked on championship-level IMCA stock car and modified teams. Within the derby world, I was one of the founding members of Derby Icons, later selling my interest in that business venture to David Gard and Tory Schutte in 2009. During that time, I was involved in promoting Metal Mayhem, the largest derby in the country, as well as numerous other shows. I have promoted Figure 8 races in Nebraska, and have advised many promoters on derbies around the country. I founded Gropp Automotive Specialties in 1999 to expand my products and services offered for demolition derbies. I attend derbies to support my customers, even if it means hopping on a plane to go to a derby and tune their engines. I travel all over the U.S. and regularly vend at major shows. I know every facet of the sport of demolition derbies, and have been successfully involved in its growth for the past 20 years. You will not find a builder who has more knowledge and experience around the country. My network of information spans from coast to coast and from Texas to Canada, and at any time I can find customers who know the behind-the-scenes happenings of the local derbies. If there is something new in the sport, I’ll know about it. From a builder’s standpoint, I fabricated and drove my own derby cars to two Nebraska State Championships and numerous other wins. I’m not just some engine guy who thought marketing to derby people would help my business. It IS my business, and it is based on everything I know about the sport from driver to builder to promoter.