It’s back and we're counting down the days until another Goshen Stampede — Not only because of the great music and the rodeo, but because it’s time for redemption for i95’s Slammin’ Shannon, as she jumps back into the hot seat for this year's demolition derby.

After last year’s debut, we decided to catch up with Shannon to see what she might do differently this year in her attempt to not only take home a heat trophy, but to go for the big title: “Feature Winner.”

Q: How are you feeling while getting ready for this year’s Demolition Derby after having one under your belt?

A: I’m definitely pumped about this year’s event! We have a new sponsor in Ron’s Automotive in Litchfield, who will help prep the car in advance of the derby, and I already know she’s going to be a beast. They found me a rock-solid 6-cylinder Pontiac Grand Am. Come to think of it, I always wanted a Grand Am. Maybe I’ll trade it out for the beetle convertible I’ve got sitting in the station lot. Just kidding – they prep you in the driver’s meeting about the rules of engagement and “if someone flips and is sitting on their roof, don’t give them a nudge to see if you can spin them like a top.” That was my favorite takeaway from last year and none of that would work out too well for me in a convertible VW, I’m afraid. Anyway, you were saying?

Q: Yea – I don’t think a convertible is a good idea. Anything you are going to do differently this year to ensure you take home the big trophy?

A: Yeah, there are a couple things I “plan” to do differently:

First, avoid the wall! Last year, I’m quite confident that I inadvertently caused more damage to my car, plowing into the jersey barriers under my own power, than I received from the other drivers. By the way, let me tell you, those barriers are not soft.

It seems that last year, I had a broken brake line, so stopping was always a pleasant surprise.

Also, I’m going to make sure that when they chain the door, they don’t chain over my seat belt. It's a good thing I’m short, but even so, the seat belt was quite uncomfortable last year.

If I can get away with it, I’m also going to try to leave the passenger seat in. I’m unsure on the rules if it’s not a bench seat, but funny things you notice when you are in a car with literally zero glass. It completely kills your visibility -- no mirrors! And have you ever noticed that when you back up a vehicle, you put your arm behind the head rest to turn around? Try flailing your arm around out of habit, only to find there is in fact nothing there to push against. That totally put a hindrance on my “only drive backwards” plan.

It was Garret and Austin’s first go 'round as pit crew last year as well, so now that they’ve got a little experience, we’ll have all the right tools to swap wheels quicker, pull out door skins, everything that held us up last year as we were learning.

Q: Sounds like a great team – but did you say Jersey barriers? That sounds painful. Are you sure you want to hop in that car again?

A: Heck yeah! It’s so much fun. I’m getting so excited just talking about it. Yes, it’s definitely an unnerving feeling looking out the window at someone coming straight for you full speed, but the staff is very careful to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible. And the arena is small enough that “top speed” is not all that fast. Also, the officials are very stringent when it comes to dangerous behavior – no head-on collisions, no hitting a “dead car,” things like that.

Just before round two last year, I was rushing to get back into the arena, I forgot my special “door pillow”, and as the wheels fell off the car, I found myself dead right in the middle of the field. I don’t know which was a worse feeling, the feeling of defeat or the fear of being a sitting duck. But I certainly don’t like the former, so I’m ready for my comeback.

Q: Okay, before I let you go. What’s a “door pillow?”

A: Yeah well, like I said, they completely strip the car. There are no airbags, pretty much no interior at all, not a darn thing. When we were setting up the car last year, one of the guys told me to keep an eye out for an old couch on the side of the road or something and just snatch one of the cushions. I can’t do that. I’ll drive in a demolition derby, but I could never be that guy that snags one cushion from a free couch and ruins it for the guy that wanted the whole couch. So I used one of my own. Just stuck that puppy right in between me and the wall, and it made me feel a bit better – when I actually remembered to put it back, that is. Gives you that security blanket kind of feeling, you know?

Q: Well thanks for the time, Shannon, and best of luck. Anything else you want to say about your second time in the derby?

A: That’s about all, but for real, if you haven’t been to the Stampede, you really ought to check it out. And if you’re there on Friday, you better be cheering for me, 'cause it’s always better to root for the winner than the loser.

Goshen Stampede Fast Facts:

• When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, June 14; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 16.
• Where: Goshen Fairgrounds, 116 Old Middle St., Goshen, CT 06756
• Tickets: Pricing varies, click here for details
• For more info: (860) 485-8586, goshenstampede.com, facebook.com/goshenstampede