WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — It’s a simple formula. On the race track, speed wins.

In the garage at Watkins Glen International, something else might give drivers an edge.

“He’s got a lot to say," said Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty. "I’m rooting for him.”

When sheriffs from all over New York state get behind the wheel, on a wet track at the Glen, driving at speeds for which the average person would receive a ticket, the biggest rivalry pitted Monroe County's sheriff against Livingston's.

"Number 44. If you're betting on anybody, 44," said Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter.

"Feeling good," said Dougherty. "Let’s get her done.”

The inaugural Sheriffs' Showdown involved a different kind of horsepower. Sheriff Dougherty won. The rivalry heated up when Sheriff Baxter took the trophy from a vacationing Dougherty's office and posted video evidence.   

“Break into is a tough term, but we will say we got into it," said Baxter. "We had several volunteers with keys willing to let us in. It wasn't very difficult work.”

“It's still under investigation criminally," said Dougherty. "We've had some verbal admissions from a particular Sheriff that we won't mention ... *coughs* Baxter! So I really can't comment further on it, since it's still open.”

So now, there’s a score to settle. Though it’s all for a good cause.

Sheriffs' Showdown 2 raises money for the New York State Sheriffs' Summer Camp on Keuka Lake, which serves 900 underprivileged kids each summer.

“They're here because they believe in this program and they want to make sure it succeeds," said Chris O'Brien of the New York State Sheriff's Office. "And they also have some little time to have some fun.“

Because of the pandemic, it’s been three years since that inaugural Sheriffs' Showdown. It’s a timed race, on a winding 3.4-mile track that took place on a fall day, which because of the rain, wasn’t exactly ideal.  

However, it was a day these sheriffs wouldn't miss.

“This was my first time," said Dougherty. "I tore it up.”

“We give it to each other, we push each other, but we also support each other 1000%," Baxter said.

Despite the big pre-race buildup, neither sheriff Dougherty nor sheriff Baxter had the fastest time. That honor went to Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom.   

Sheriffs' Showdown 2 raised $65,000 for the New York State Sheriff’s Summer Camp.