That is just what 54-year-old Clearfield resident Steve ''Senior'' Carroll has done his entire adult life. But today, at the Golden Spike Arena, Carroll will drive around the dirt track, bashing other beater cars for the last time.

''It's a violent sport, but it's a fun sport,'' Carroll said of his lifelong pastime. ''I don't want to quit. I was planning on running until I was 65 or 70.''

Carroll, who owns Trevor's Towing in Clearfield, said his body is starting to show the signs of having been in several thousand minor (and a few major) collisions over a lifetime. He said it now takes several days for him to recover from a derby.

The object of a demolition derby is to purposely ram other cars, generally large sedans from the 1960s and '70s, until they are disabled. The last car running wins. There are usually three heats, the winners of which go on to compete in the final match.

Prize money can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, money Carroll often wins, much to the chagrin of other drivers.

But Carroll's derby friends are quick to tell of his sportsmanship and selflessness in the arena.

''He's a great friend and a great competitor. I never count him out, because he's always there,'' said Johnny Gullo, a derby promoter and organizer of today's event.

Carroll had planned to retire a few weeks ago, but Gullo asked him to drive in one last derby, a benefit for several families in need.

''He said 'I'm all done,' and I said 'No, you're not.' I told him what it was for, and he said, 'Sign me up.' ''

Today's derby is a benefit for the family of Jason Thomas, an Ogden police officer who died last month of melanoma, and drivers will be encouraged to donate their winnings to the cause. Some of the proceeds will also go to Justin Gardiner and Jason Pattas, two derby drivers who were hurt recently in a non-derby car accident.

Carroll said he has driven in more than 2,000 derbies and has more than 1,500 trophies. His friends say he does it for the genuine love of the sport, and not for money or glory.

''He told me, 'You're here to have fun. If not, get out,' '' Gullo said of his first derby and first meeting with Carroll.

Another friend and derby driver, Jim ''Gumby'' Simko, said, ''The biggest thing he taught me was just to have fun with it and be a good sport. I think the best way to describe Steve Carroll is great sportsmanship.''

Carroll's friends and family told of him frequently knocking another driver loose even if it meant giving up first place. Carroll himself told of one time he jarred another driver loose, because he'd entertained the crowd well.

''I saw him [another driver] sitting there, and I thought, 'He put on such a good show,' so I helped him out,'' Carroll said.

He said afterward the driver thanked him.

''I see those kids. Some of them are real young, and they put a lot of hours in those cars, so I help 'em out and knock 'em loose,'' Carroll said.

Carroll knows all about putting hours and hours into derby cars. He said he has driven in a derby almost every summer weekend for 35 years. And for 18 years, he said he literally drove every weekend at Lagoon from April to October, until they stopped holding derbies there in 1989.

He has also competed in national championships, and invitation-only events in Canada.

Carroll remains humble about his hobby.

''It's just a poor man's race,'' he said.

Debbie, his wife of 17 years, said she has always been supportive of Carroll's passion, but she is quick to add, ''I'm really glad this is his last year.''

Carroll's injuries have worried his family.

''I get nervous every time he goes out there,'' Debbie Carroll said. ''I tell him, 'Don't hit anybody, and don't let anybody hit you! ''

His son, Steve ''Scooter'' Carroll Jr., has followed in his dad's footsteps by driving in derbies and monster truck rallies. He said he loves derbying and will compete in today's event, but he, too, worries about his father's health.

''If he continues on, he won't make it another year,'' he said. ''It will kill him.''