Lapcevich Brothers Make History by Qualifying for 57th Annual Snowball Derby

Cayden and Treyten Lapcevich carved their names into the Snowball Derby history books on Friday night.

During Country Pleasin' Sausage Pole Night at Five Flags Speedway, the brothers from Grimsby, Ontario, Canada both qualified into the 57th Annual Snowball Derby. Younger Treyten placed 13th, while Cayden qualified 27th.

Both brothers have previously competed in the Snowball Derby. Cayden finished 16th in the 2020 edition of the event, while Treyten qualified 10th for last year's Derby before being collected in a late accident and finishing 24th.

However, this will be the first time both brothers have competed in the same Snowball Derby. There is still potential for a fifth pair to join this year, as Carson Kvapil has qualified into the Derby while Caden Kvapil is competing in Saturday's Last Chance Qualifier.

Regardless, the Lapcevich brothers become just the fourth set of brothers to accomplish that feat. Bobby and Donnie Allison raced against each other nine times in the Snowball Derby.

Most recently, Kyle and Kason Plott competed in the 2017 Snowball Derby. Freddy and Bobby Fryar raced in the Snowball Derby in 1970 and 1972.

“It’s pretty cool, for sure," said Treyten Lapcevich. "It was cool when Cayden ran the race by himself in 2020. Then I was able to come here for the first time last year. For both of us to be here and running the race at the same time, that’s a pretty cool accomplishment for our family. Both of us qualifying in was really cool, too. It takes the stress off of it, for sure. Now we just have to focus on 300 laps.

"Obviously, we don’t get to race together a lot," added Cayden. "I think we have a few times, but it’s very few and far between that we do. Quite honestly, we don’t get to work together a lot anymore because our schedules are so busy. For me, any time I get to go to the race track with Treyten and the family is cool.”

For Treyten, it's the continuation of his racing success in the United States after making the jump to the zMAX CARS Tour in 2024, where he won at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Treyten also won the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway in November.

“I came to the States this year for the first time to run full-time on the CARS Tour," said Treyten. "Definitely, a lot of good experience there. You come to the Snowball Derby, and it’s an atmosphere like no other. Some big competition here, some big names. It’s really cool, for sure, to be able to come here and race with the best of the best.”

Meanwhile, Cayden is simply grateful for the opportunity when it appeared at one point his career had reached a crossroads.

“To have two cars here and our family, this is a family deal," said Cayden. "This ain’t a big operation. We don’t have TRD backing or anything like that. It’s cool.

"I don’t think in a million years either of us thought we’d be here at the same time. To be honest, it didn’t look like I’d race much after 2017, it was. I think I’ve done more racing, and it’s still not a lot, than I had for a few years there. To be able to come down here with what I think is two really good race cars makes it a little bit better.”

Not only is this the first time the Lapceviches have raced against each other in the Snowball Derby, it's one of the few times they've competed against each other on the race track at all.

“We’ve done a few Late Model races together," said Cayden. "I think we raced Quarter Midgets together once. It’s only been a handful. I think mom would prefer that we don’t, because it takes a little bit of stress off of her. From our aspect, I think it’s cool that we can go out there and hopefully bang doors for the win."

Still, they hope it is the first of many trips to the Snowball Derby as competitors.

"Coming to the Snowball Derby every year at Five Flags has almost become a family tradition for us, even though we’ve only been coming here for three or four years now," said Treyten. "I’m sure it’s going to continue on for quite a while.”

Of course, there's still the age-old question. What would you do to win a Snowball Derby? Would you move your own flesh and blood for the Tom Dawson Trophy?

Cayden likes to think he'd take the high road, but isn't so certain.

“I’d really like to say no, but I probably would.”

Treyten is not as modest.

“Damn right, yeah.”

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America