Soap Box Derby winner off to world championships in Ohio

STANWOOD — Alex Lemke gets to celebrate his 12th birthday with a trip to the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships in Akron, Ohio.

Alex, a Port Susan Middle School student, recently won the second annual Stanwood-Camano All-American Soap Box Derby and is set to be Snohomish County’s representative at the big race.

Accompanied on the trip by his parents, Jay and Robyn Lemke of Stanwood, and grandparents Linda and Howard Lemke of Lake Cavanaugh, Alex also plans to ride the big roller coasters at Cedar Park on Lake Erie in nearby Sandusky, Ohio.

Right now, both events sound pretty exciting, Alex said.

“But I can’t wait until check-in and weigh-in at the race grounds on June 25,” he said. “More than 600 racers from all over the country will be there.”

Last year’s Stanwood-Camano representatives to the derby championships — Zach Placzek and Madison Hughes — told Alex to be prepared for a wonderful time.

“They said it’s an experience I’ll never forget,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

Shortly after the local race, derby officials shipped Alex’s soap box car to Ohio. Alex had one last chance to check the car over before it was sent off, he said. Fire engine red, the car features a decal from sponsor Sunstream Boat Lifts, where Alex’s uncle is employed.

Alex plans to participate in the stock division of the international derby.

Makenna Thomas, 13, of Issaquah, won the super stock division in the Stanwood derby race, and she’s heading to Akron, too. Her father, a sponsor of the local derby, manages the Best Buy store at Smokey Point, and she was one of several racers who came from out of the area to participate in the Stanwood derby.

Nearly 60 drivers, ages 8 to those in their early teens, took turns racing in heats down 276th Street NW last month in front of a large crowd.

“It felt awesome to win,” Alex said. “I can’t really describe it. It was so cool, but I was a little numb.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.