GRIMSBY, ON- Recently crowned Sunset Speedway Super Stock champion Cayden Lapcevich will return to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this weekend, as Canada’s cross-country tour invades Kawartha Speedway for the Pinty’s 250 season finale.
After 5 starts this season, ‘The Prodigy’ will enter the event on the strength of a podium and a top-10 finish in his last 3 appearances with the series. On Saturday, the freshman will be looking to acclimate himself to a new facility and continue his improvement in a style of car very different from what he competes in on a weekly basis.
“I’m finally turning that corner where the butterflies in the days leading up to one of these races have been replaced by anticipation – which is awesome,” smiles Lapcevich when asked about his mindset ahead of Saturday’s event.
“It took a lot longer for me to get comfortable in the Super Stock than it has to get comfortable with the [NASCAR Canadian Tire Series] car,” continues the 15-year old. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far in our first year with the series, and it makes me feel as though the sky is the limit with what we can do with this program moving forward. I’m learning with every single lap spent in this car, and the more I understand, the better my feedback becomes and the more it helps my team set the car up to my liking”
The Grimsby, ON driver celebrated his second consecutive Sunset Speedway championship last Saturday, and indicated in victory lane that he would not be returning to the Super Stock division fulltime in 2016 – electing instead to concentrate on his NCATS program as much as possible.
“We’ve had a great year with our Super Stock program, so obviously that gives us a lot of confidence heading into Kawartha,” says Cayden. “When things are moving in the right direction, no matter what car or division you’re racing in, things just seem to flow a lot easier”
“Those nights spent working on these things seem a lot shorter, and that’s what we have going on right now. It’s a dream to be able to work with this team and have this equipment under me – I couldn’t ask for anything more”
“Our sponsors have stepped up in a really big way all season, and I’m not sure I’d ever be able to thank them enough,” adds the third-generation racer. “Tim Hortons, Castrol, Cathcart Trucking, Springers Meats, EPIC Racewear and Troy Cove Marine have been awesome. Alot of them have been with me from the very beginning – which makes it even cooler that I can roll out in an NCATS event with their names on the side of my car”
Cayden is quick to credit the influence of Crew Chief Don Thomson Jr., who has worked closely with the rising star since joining the team at the onset of the 2015 campaign, and father Jeff Lapcevich ahead of Saturday’s event.
“Every time I get to sit down and talk with Donnie and my Dad, I feel like I just got out of a classroom,” says Lapcevich. “They’ve been around a long time, and they’ve both ran really well at Kawartha in the past. There’s just a lot of knowledge to draw from in our shop. And it only makes me more confident in this program moving forward”
“Kawartha is going to be another learning experience for us,” continues the high-school student. “It’s one of the only Ontario speedways that I haven’t raced at yet. I’ve been there a few times with Dad, but there’s only so much you can learn from the grandstands”
“I’m excited to get out there and catch a feel for the track’s personality. These cars absolutely fly there – so I have a feeling that we’re in for a good time. The last race of the year in any series is always a tough one, so I’m sure we’re in for a grind, but we’ll be ready for it.”
Cayden Lapcevich and team will have T Shirts and Hoodies on sale all weekend long at Kawartha Speedway, with proceeds being added to Lapcevich Racing’s yearlong efforts to raise funds and awareness for the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation.
Support for Cayden Lapcevich’s 2015 endeavors is provided by Tim Hortons, Castrol, Cathcart Trucking, Springers Meats, EPIC Racewear and Troy Cove Marine.
Fans can keep up with ‘The Prodigy’ by following him on Twitter @CaydenLapcevich and visiting the official Cayden Lapcevich Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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