AKRON, Ohio — The 83rd First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships brought racers from all over the country to northeast Ohio.
A returning champion and her family were among the racers.
It's not hard for 13-year-old Kelsey Van Waart to picture a perfect finish. She's lived it. She's the 2019 All-American Soap Box Derby Champion and she's hoping to do it again this year.
“I had the fastest time of the day,” said Kelsey. “In the entire race, when I won.”
What makes Kelsey so special isn't just her skill, but her crew.
Her dad, Peter Van Waart raced before her, and her grandpa, Roger Van Waart, before that.
“I still get butterflies when I see the kids go down the hill,” said Kelsey's grandpa Roger Van Waart.
Kelsey and her younger brother, Pierce, now carry on the family tradition.
You could say racing is in their blood.
“Yeah, I'm excited,” said Kelsey. “Also, kind of nervous. That always happens.”
Obviously, another championship is always the goal, but the time spent together is what makes this race so special.
“I get emotional about it,” said Roger. “It's seeing that.”
He pointed to the photo of Kelsey as the 2019 champion, which of course, was a great moment filled with picture-perfect memories.