Driver Database News

While the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was running events in western Canada, Jeff Lapcevich the driver of the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet Impala was busy on the track testing his race car in preparation for this weekends race at the Mosport Raceway Oval and also traveling to Huntsville, Alabama with sons Cayden and Treyten for the Eastern Grands where the boys raced Quarter Midget cars against hundreds of the best racers from Canada and the United States.

The victories continued for five year old Treyten Lapcevich competing in the novice class.  Last month in Langley, BC the young racer competed against some very difficult competition in the novice class and won the title.  Well with even greater numbers of participants at the Eastern Grands in Huntsville, Alabama Treyten once again was the overall winner in the novice class.

The victory by Treyten Lapcevich is particularly significant due to the fact that Region Four where he competes at tracks in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, normally produces several winners in the sixteen different classes.  Other than Treyten’s overall victory in the novice class the rest of the region was shut out.

Older brother Cayden Lapcevich again showed his natural racing ability and instinct competing in several different classes.  Cayden has won the overall title in two of three classes in the previous three Grands.  Sadly this streak came to an end, partly due to some questionable calls from the judges.  Though he did not accomplish the same number of overall class victories he’d become accustomed to his accomplishments were significant.

In the Stock class nine year old Cayden qualified tenth and started on the pole for the “B Main”.  After finishing second he transferred to the “A Main final” starting seventh and had raced his way up to second.  As Lapcevich looked to complete the pass for the lead approaching the white flag he was bumped from behind by the competitor he was passing.  Upset with the judges ruling on the events the fiery competitor’s emotions boiled over he raised his arm in frustration.  Cayden was disqualified, victory taken from his hands.

There was further disappointment in the Light Mod and Light B class for the Lapcevich crew when the car wouldn’t fire and Cayden was unable to even post a qualifying time.  “I have to take a lot of responsibility for that” said father Jeff Lapcevich.  “I had trouble tuning the car with all the humidity and I had it leaned out to much, so it was my fault that it wouldn’t start” he explained.

With no qualifying time Cayden was forced to do a lot more racing to keep moving up the competition ladder.  Beginning with the “E Main in the Light Modified class he finishes second, then won the “D Main”, “C Main” and finished second in the “B Main” and also wound up second in the “A Main final” a tremendous accomplishment.

Cayden Lapcevich began the Light B class in the “D Main” where he finished second, then went on to win the “C Main finished third in the “B Main and also claimed third in the “A Main”.

“Cayden did a lot more racing than he’s used to and I think he was pretty worn out by the end of the week” said Jeff Lapcevich.  “Without the benefit of qualifying you have to race your way up, and he did a great job.  I’m so proud of both he and Treyten.  It was another great week for the family.

Immediately upon their return from Huntsville, Alabama Jeff Lapcevich was back in the seat of the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet testing on the Mosport oval.  The team was very pleased with the results.  “Our lap times were right around the pole time from last year” said Lapcevich.  “The conditions I think were pretty similar so I think we’ll be ready for this weekend.  I’m excited to get back in action” he added.

Jeff Lapcevich and the Tim Hortons team will resume competition in the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday August 8th at Mosport Speedway with the green flag set to drop at 7PM.  This year’s series events will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada.  All events are once again scheduled to appear on TSN.  For More information about Jeff Lapcevich and Lapcevich racing log onto www.lapcevichracing.com

The racing blood flows through the entire Lapcevich family. Jeff Lapcevich was introduced to the sport by his father Joe and now he is paying it forward to his sons. During a break in competition for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Jeff Lapcevich driver of the #23 Tim Hortons Impala traveled across Canada to the only Quarter Midget track in Canada located in Langley BC so his sons Cayden and Treyten could participate in the Western Grands for Quarter Midgets. Both sons enjoyed great success racing against competitors from across Canada and the United States.

Nine year old Cayden Lapcevich was the 2008 Light Mod Champion and scored a remarkable win to make it back to back titles. Qualifying third in the final the youngster was bumped off at the start and bent a spindle. Adjusting his driving style to compensate for the problem he charged from the back of the field toward the front. A fortunate late caution flag allowed for a restart with three laps remaining and Cayden would make his final move from second to the lead and secure the victory.

In the Light B Class young Cayden had problems with a throttle cable during practice and qualified a disappointing seventh for the “A Main final”. The young man would fall further back during hectic racing at the start. Unfazed he raced back to the front of the field without the aid of a caution flag. In the lone caution period of the race Cayden was shuffled back to fifth with two laps remaining but pushed his way forward to score a second place finish.

Cayden Lapcevich also competed for the first time this year in the Senior Stock Division. In the “B Main” Cayden finished second and earn a transfer spot into the “A Main Final”. After starting seventh in the “A Main” Lapcevich would once again demonstrate his racing skills and claim the checkered flag.

Five year old Treyten Lapcevich competed in his first Western Grands competition and also enjoyed tremendous success. In only his fifth race Treyten ran the Jr. Novice class and on the final lap made the pass for the lead and the race victory.

Needless to say it was a very proud father who commented after the event. “It is so much fun to watch your kids go out and do something they enjoy” said Jeff Lapcevich. “It’s even better when they can have the kind of success the boys did at this great weekend here in Langley, BC. We can’t wait to do it again in the East”.

The Lapcevich family is currently attending the 2009 Eastern Grands in Huntsville, Alabama where upwards of 600 participants are expected. Look for an update on their success in the coming days.

Jeff Lapcevich and the Tim Hortons team will resume competition in the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday August 8th at Mosport Speedway following the Western Canada Events. This year’s series events will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. All events are once again scheduled to appear on TSN. For More information about Jeff Lapcevich and Lapcevich racing log onto www.lapcevichracing.com.