Mount Joy Man Wins Regional Competition

POSTED: 5:48 p.m. EST November 6, 2002

WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Sixteen men from around the country will compete this weekend in the national screw-off in Phoenix for a chance at $1 million.

Ben Beachy, (pictured, left) of Mount Joy, is one of the competitors.

The race is on for Beachy to try to become the King of the Drill. The Lancaster County man has been is practicing for the DeWalt Million Dollar Challenge. He has to drive five drywall screws within seven seconds to take home the big prize.

"My best time ever is nine seconds, and that's if everything goes really smooth. Just do my best. See what happens," Beachy said.

Video Meet Ben Beachy Download RealPlayer The 24-year-old owns a contracting business. He entered a DeWalt contest on a whim and ended up winning the northeast regional competition with a time of 12.5 seconds.

Beachy won his dream tools, a Chevrolet van and a trip to Phoenix for the national competition. He'll go up against 15 other regional winners.

"I'm extremely thrilled. (I) can't believe it's happening," Beachy said.

Beachy practices about 10 minutes a day in his town house garage.

"You got to grab out of the bin, and however they come out, sometimes five facing right direction, sometimes two," Beachy said.

"A lot of guys take it so seriously, almost refer to it as tool olympics," DeWalt spokesman Todd Walter said.

Walter said it will come down to performing well under pressure.

"Ben seems like he is calm, not putting pressure on himself. (I) really think he has a shot at winning this," Walter said.

Internet users have been able to vote for the contestant they think is most likely to win the Million Dollar Challenge. Click here to vote.

Beachy said he's taken some ribbing for being in the contest.

"I get called all kinds of things, Fastest Screw in the East, Best Screwer Around," Beachy said.

Beachy takes it in stride and is just hoping they can add Millionaire Screwer to that list.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2002