Saratoga Speedway kicked off the start of the race season last Saturday and local driver Kevin Lawrenuk earned himself a visit to the winners circle.
Kevin, 15, and his sister Jennifer, 19, race in the Hornet Class. This is Kevin’s fourth year of racing up at Saratoga; Jen’s third.
For the Lawrenuks, racing is a family affair under the name of the Coast Auto Service Racing Team out of Qualicum Beach.
The two were part of a field of 31 cars on opening night.
Kevin qualified fourth in his 1996 Honda Prelude Vtec
Jen qualified 16th in her ‘89 Toyota Celica GTS.
Kevin ran a Trophy Dash, A Heat and A Main Event and Jen ran in a Trophy Dash, a ‘B Heat’ and the A Final.
According to mom Laurie, the 35-lap A Main came down to a field of 17 cars.
Kevin, she said after, “had a strong lead until lap 20 when there was a tangle in corner four which threw a yellow flag which resulted in stopping and restarting bunching the three lead cars up. Nail biting for the last 15 laps his driving was amazing and I was getting whip lash trying to watch both kids at the same time.”
Kevin’s fastest lap time was 18.594 — the fastest in his class on the night.
Saturday wasn’t Kevin’s first trip to the winner’s circle, but it was his first time taking the checkered flag in the opening night Main Event.
“The kids ran phenomenal,” said dad Duane, “they held off the field and they showed their driving skills. It was a great time.”
UP NEXT
The team us back up at Saratoga Speedway the May long weekend and will be racing May 21, 22.
