Cayden Lapcevich Crushes Syracuse Track Record, Finishes third in A-Main

From Proud Papa Jeff Lapcevich, an update on the recent exploits of his racing son, Cayden. Thanks for the updates Jeff!

Friday August, 11 would be the last point race of the regular season at the Syracuse Quarter Midget Club and for the first time of the year during the regular weekly program; competitors would time trial to set the field for the main events. The significance of this event is that it is the only opportunity of the year to set a track record and since this is the final year for the existing track; the record will stand forever. The Syracuse facility is unlike any other track in the U.S. since it was grandfathered in decades ago. At 1/10th of a mile in length it is twice the size of the standard quarter midget track and the speeds attained are the highest in the country. The track is sealed asphalt with tight ends and zero banking making it very difficult to pass.

The Jr. Honda class would be the first group to time trial after the Novices. Competitors are given three warm-up laps and three timed laps. The field is set with the top four cars inverted in the Jr. ranks. Cayden Lapcevich would be the third car to take to the track for qualifying. Through his warm-up laps his times steadily decreased to just above the current track record of 10.18 seconds set by Johnny Scutt of Syracuse, NY in 2003. On his first official timed lap, Lapcevich ripped off a blistering 10.062 second lap to set a new track record and then followed it up with two more laps just above his fast time.

Still looking for his first feature win of the season, Lapcevich lined up on the outside of the second row for the main event. He moved quickly to second with a daring first lap outside groove pass but the position would be short lived as a tire problem allowed eight year old Austin O’Reilly; the 2005 Oswego County Jr. Honda champ and 2005 Syracuse Jr. Honda champ to slip passed. Cayden would hang on for a third place finish with an ill handling machine.

The night was not over however, since the Caistor Centre resident set a track record, his engine would have to be torn down to make sure it conformed to Quarter Midget of America standards. Nearly three hours after the checkered flag had waved, tech officials returned Lapcevich’s Honda engine in pieces. Asked what he thought of his accomplishment, he replied in true six year old style, “Cool, can we stop for ice cream on the way home?”