INNISFIL, ON- It took only 30-laps for third-generation standout Cayden Lapcevich to assert himself as an OSCAAR Modified Tour frontrunner. The former Quarter Midget standout – driving for car owner Terry Baker – slipped past Davey Terry late in June 29th’s event at Sunset Speedway, capturing his first ever tour victory.
“I don’t think anyone thought it was going to play out like this”, smiled Lapcevich post-race. “It’s an amazing feeling. This car was so good all day. We made the right changes after struggling a little bit in practice. We had a great set of tires on it for the feature. I couldn’t have asked for anything more”
A 7-time Quarter Midget National Champion, Lapcevich worked his way from the 6th starting position with startling efficiency. Finding Terry’s back bumper after a mid-race restart.
“Davey [Terry] ran an awesome race, he had quite the lead on us in the early goings”, explained ‘The Prodigy’. “I was just trying to ride and save my stuff, because I figured we would get a late race yellow. Once the caution came out, it looked like Davey’s car was starting to go away a little bit”
“I just stayed with him as best I could, and waited for an opening”, continued Lapcevich. “I didn’t want to burn my stuff up. The car was able to roll the center so well that I didn’t need to ask much of it. Terry [Baker] and Kevin [Job] have an awesome piece. It was just as good on lap-30 as it was on lap-1”
Lapcevich’s opportunity came on the final restart of the night, with less than 10-laps remaining, as his Baker Performance of Hamilton No. 26 cleared Terry into turn-1, and never looked back.
“We realized awfully quickly that tire management plays a huge role in these races”, offered Lapcevich. “Thankfully, we still had plenty of bite left at the end, and I was able to clear Davey on the outside. I was around him so quickly that my spotter [Brandon McFerran] could barely tell me I was clear low”
With his Don Biederman Memorial Night 2 victory, Lapcevich becomes the youngest winner in tour history.
“It’s an honour to come out ahead of these guys. I think the modified tour has some of the best drivers in the province. They made me work for it tonight, that’s for sure. We’re not sure when we’ll be back in this car, but I promise when Terry [Baker] gives me the call to wheel it again, I’ll be ready”
Cayden’s OSCAAR Modified Tour efforts were made possible thanks to Baker Performance of Hamilton, Tim Hortons, Troy Cove Marine, Springers Meats, EPIC Racewear by OnePromo.ca and Cathcart Trucking.
Fans can follow Cayden on Twitter @CaydenLapcevich or at his official Cayden Lapcevich Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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