thePULSEMeet Racecar Driver Steven LaBreck
This Millbury Native is Speeding Toward a Championship
By Marci Izard
Steven LaBreck, 19, is one of the youngest racecar drivers at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway, and he’s not new at it either. He started at age 16. A Millbury native, his interests are diverse ~ he’s a chef by day and a racecar driver by night with, according to Russ Dowd, the chief announcer and director of operations at the Speedway, a bright future ahead of him. “He’s come in here and done exceptionally well in a relatively short time behind the wheel,” Dowd says. “He keeps out of trouble and has had some good consistent races.” LaBreck shares some of his time and experiences with The Pulse as he gears up for Thompson’s Icebreaker race on the weekend of April 8.
MI: When did you first know you wanted to race?
SL: When I was about 7 or 8 years old I decided I wanted to start racing. I went to the New Hampshire International Speedway to watch the Winston cup.
MI: What’s the process of becoming a racer?
SL: First off, it’s getting your sponsors. You need a lot of money. You people behind you to be able to race, a lot of people who are willing to sponsor you or let you drive their car.
MI: What was your first race?
SL: I was 16, it was in 2003. It was the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway. I placed 13th out of 24 or 25 racers. That was the mini stock ~ the beginners, four cylinder class, where racers hit about 100mph.
MI: That sounds like a good finish for your first race. How did you feel?
SL: I was thrilled, it was awesome. For never having driven a racecar before, to take 13th was a big accomplishment. I did well that year.
MI: What was your first car?
SL: It was a Pontiac Sunfire that we stripped down. It’s the body of a Sunfire but the rest is different.
MI: How did get that car?
SL: Hank Brown. I drove for him. He’s been in racing for a long time, his son used to drive. He wasn’t happy with his old driver so he asked if I’d be willing to drive his car for him.
MI: Was that exciting?
SL: That was a dream come true. He gave me the opportunity to keep going in racing. If it wasn’t for him, my father and Tommy [Capistron ~ a sponsor, owner of Superior Oil in Millbury] I wouldn’t have started racing.
MI: You always say “we” or “us” when you talk about racing. Why?
SL: It’s a team sport. It’s not just the driver. It has a lot to do with preparation. Bruce Adams, for example, sets up the car for us every week. He’s been awesome. Him, Hank, my father, Tommy…it’s a team effort. If you don’t have the connection between the driver and crew you’ll never get anywhere. So much of racing has to do with what happens off the track, it’s not just what happens on the track.
MI: What class are you competing in now?
SL: It’s called Thompson Modified, the middle division with eight cylinder cars and experienced drivers. We go about 120-125mph down the straights and all the cars are the same ~ it’s better racing because it’s not all about the parts.
MI: What are your top finishes?
SL: I had a 2nd and a 3rd last year. I’ve had a lot of top 5 finishes. No first places yet.
MI: Does being a racer affect how you drive on the street?
SL: Oh boy. Well it’s actually good because I don’t try to speed ~ I do that every Thursday on the racetrack.
MI: Have you been in any crashes?
SL: During my second year in mini stocks I had a bad crash. When that happens you’re supposed to roll your window down to let everyone know you’re alright. But I got knocked out, so an ambulance came onto the track and my family came running. I just got a little knocked up. I’ve had about 16 or 17 crashes in total, most of them pretty minor.
MI: Do you get scared?
SL: I’ve had some bad crashes, but haven’t gotten scared yet. If you let it scare you, it’s not fun anymore.
MI: Tell me what it’s like to be out there going fast.
SL: It’s awesome, the best feeling in the world. Going 130 mph, with 30 other cars, it’s a rush.
MI: What does the future hold for you in terms of racing?
SL: I want to run for the championship this year, and have a good clean season. As for later on, I can’t rule out NASCAR.
