St. Charles resident finds success with soap box racing

Not many people get to leave their first lasting impression on much of anything, much less a record book, at the age of 8.

But this summer, Logan Sennholtz-Linder of St. Charles did just that, flying into the world of soapbox derby racing, and, in his rookie season, claiming a spot among the best young gravity racers in the country after finishing third place overall in the local stock division.

“I like going fast, down big hills in a little car,” said Sennholtz-Linder. “And now I have trophies. Big ones."

“I like that,” he added with a giggle.

The July 22 championship race in Akron, Ohio, wrapped up a whirlwind tour that had begun in fall 2016, said Sennholtz-Linder's mother, Leslee Butler. Last September, her son first jumped behind the wheel of a soapbox derby car to “give it a try” at the suggestion of his stepfather, Brian Butler. He had similarly raced soapbox derby cars as a boy in the 1990s, Leslee Butler said, learning to pilot the cars, resembling a bobsled on four wheels, and containing only a steering wheel and a brake for the gravity-assisted trips down 1,000-foot-long downhill tracks.

His first trip coasting down a soapbox derby hill, hitting speeds near 35 mph, Sennholtz-Linder said he was “pretty scared.”

“I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this is fast,’” he said.

But he was hooked, and it was quickly evident he had a chance to do something special. Racing the car his stepdad helped him build and sponsored by local business Skyjack – the car adorned with a graphic of the film version of the Marvel superhero Wolverine, aka Logan, on its front end – Sennholtz-Linder placed well in race after race, getting faster and faster, quickly mastering the techniques.

“I pretend the car is Pac-Man, and I’m eating the yellow lines on the road,” said Sennholtz-Linder, doing his best imitation of the sound made by the iconic character from the 1980s' arcade classic. “And I tuck down and under, so I can go faster.”

He eventually went on to claim the top spot in the Greater Chicago region, punching his ticket to Akron for the 80th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.

There, Sennholtz-Linder and his mom said the competition grew more stiff, yet Sennholtz-Linder continued to win races, claiming the top spot in the first five heats, securing a spot among the final three racers remaining in his division.

“I still get emotional, remembering,” said Leslee Butler.

Since Brian Butler, serving as Sennholtz-Linder's adult attendant, was the only one allowed with the racer in the race area, Leslee Butler said she was left to livestream the races on Facebook from the bottom of the hill for her son’s family and fans who couldn’t attend.

“When they would announce he had won, I’d start crying,” she said with a laugh. “It’s hard not being able to just run up and give him a huge hug.”

Sennholtz-Linder said he intends to continue racing as long as the sport will allow him, which could take him through high school.

In the meantime, he has also taken up other interests as well, including playing the cello at a summer orchestra camp.

But Leslee Butler and her son noted the track will call again soon, as the first local race of the new season is scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 in Naperville.