Wyoming Woman Bares All, Then Promptly Wins 50th Sundance Burnout Contest

SUNDANCE — Huge gouts of smoke rose over this tiny town that sits along a popular Sturgis Motorcycle Rally ride, the Devils Tower loop, as part of what’s become known to rally goers as Wyoming Wednesday. 

While it looked very much like a five-alarm fire to passing motorists, there were no fire trucks headed to the scene, which was smack in front of a dive bar called the Dime Horseshoe Bar. 

There was, however, plenty of noise. A hive of colorful Harleys snaked around the entire area, and a crowd of people wearing typical rally gear surrounded the smoky scene, cheering as loud as human vocal cords allow, some raising a beer or other beverage to toast the moment.

The cheers grew ever louder alongside the smoke, which was mushrooming to the sky as if a growing thing, somehow sprouting from arevving motorcycle that was perched on a wooden platform, in view of everyone. The front wheel was clamped against a metal support, which kept both bike and rider securely in place, while the bike’s motor spun its back wheel for all it was worth. 

Tar-black rubber bits dropped from the now smoking tire, leaving what looked like a tiny mountain of acrid, sulfur-smelling rubber and ash. 

The taste of it was in the air, inescapable. That made a cold beer more than just a drink. It was a tool, to help wash the taste away.

Finally, a tiny “pop” was heard. It could barely be heard over the bee-buzzing grind of the motor. That honeyed sigh was the only clue the bike’s tire had finally given way. 

The rider, a woman named Sierra Greathouse from Gillette, threw her hands up in victory, and the crowd roared back its approval.

They were loving every minute of this Wyoming Wednesday tradition, which has been happening during every Sturgis Rally for 50 years now.

How The Burnout Started

Legends say the burnout actually started inside the Dime Horseshoe Bar, which takes its name from a horseshoe pattern that’s inlaid into the bar top using silvery dimes.

The story goes that a bar patron had threatened to do a burnout inside the bar, but the owner chased him out. 

Bar owner Jess Jones clarified the story a little bit more this year and said the first burnout actually did happen inside the bar.

“She did kick him out, but not before he got a burnout,” she said. 

After that, other motorcyclists joined in on the fun, outside of the bar, putting on their own spontaneous burnout event right there in the street in front of the bar.

It started a tradition that has continued ever since, though these days, it’s more of a planned thing, complete with bike mechanics who help burnout riders swap in an old tire. That saves their good tire for the trip back to the Sturgis Rally or back home, wherever they’re heading.

Jones also has a stage for the bikes. That way more people can see what is happening. It also helps get the smoke up, over everyone’s heads, while a set of fans helps blow the hazardous smoke away from the biker.

The metal strip that holds the bike in place is a safety feature, keeping the show in place and ensuring no runaway bikes and riders threaten the crowds.

For the 50th, Jones didn’t plan anything particularly special. There was a limited-edition commemorative T-shirt, as well as a shoutout to all of the former owners of the bar.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of something like this,” Jones told Cowboy State Daily after the burnout. “This is the biggest turnout we’ve had. We haven’t had this many people here in a long time. 

“It’s been a very, very good turnout this year, and I’m so proud of my girls,” she continued. “And I’m very proud of my staff. I’m so happy they all came back this year.”

Floating On A Peanut Shell

The Dime Horseshoe Bar has leaned into its motorcycle fan club from the Sturgis Rally, and features an old motorcycle wrapped in Christmas lights on its roof. The bike looks as if it’s about to jump, riderless, right into the street below where the burnout is held.

For the rally week, Jones removes all the bar stools, tables and chairs, which helps make room for more people in the bar, which can get quite crowded, especially during the burnout. 

Peanut shells also coat the floor during rally week. It’s based on an old wives tale that touts them as helpful to clean and polish wooden floors. Jones is a believer in the tactic.

Oils from the peanuts are supposed to be released as people walk on the spent shells, helping polish the floor. The shells, meanwhile, serve as a sweeping compound, helping absorb dirt and dust, making it easier to clean the bar up after the rally.

Just take it slowly through the bar if you’re buying a beer to toast the burnout. Those shells do reduce a lot of friction. 

Fast walkers might find themselves floating along, a bit like suddenly riding a skateboard — complete with a potentially unceremonious landing for themselves and their drink.

Beer’s not the only offering from the Dime Horseshoe Bar. There’s a list of great cocktails, too, prepared just for the burnout, as well as merchandise to commemorate the occasion, which doubles as a fundraiser for veterans. 

All's Fair

It’s often been said that all is fair in love and war. It’s a quote often credited to poet John Lyly, who used it in a 1579 novel “Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit.”

Perhaps Lyly would have added burnouts to his list, had motorcycles been around then.

The sentiment certainly applies here. There are no rules on how contestants can win favor with the crowd and Greathouse wasn’t afraid to use her own assets — all of them — to win.

While the crowd cheered loudly for last year’s fan favorite Freddy Bossfrom Ohio and South Carolina, they cheered much more loudly for Greathouse, particularly when she briefly lifted her top. 

Greathouse isn’t the first woman to win the event, Jones said. 

“We’ve had lots of women win,” Jones said. “Titties always win. That’s just how it goes.”

Greathouse was unapologetic about it.

“I mean, obviously, I have an advantage because I have breasts,” she said. “But, at the end of the day, I’ll use them to my advantage.”

Her take for the win was $750, which she said is going toward rent, and toward presents for her child. 

Greathouse has been to the burnout before, but this was the first time she tried it herself. It wasn’t a matter of someone talking her into it, she said, but more that people helped talk her through it, so she’d know what to expect.

“My dad talked me through it,” she said. “He lives in Gillette with me.”

Dad didn’t mind his daughter’s methods, she added.

“I have a video of him saying, proudest dad ever,” she said.

Greathouse said she’ll definitely be back next year to watch the burnout, though she doesn’t know if she’ll participate again. 

“This year would have been my fourth Sturgis Rally,” she said. “But I skipped Sturgis this year to be here instead.”

Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.