Laina, ‘The Lyndonville Rocket,’ is go-kart track champ at Ransomville

11-year-old sixth-grader also leads state in points

Provided photos: Laina Stewart, 11, carries the checkered flag after winning a race at the Ransomville Speedway.

LYNDONVILLE – Laina Stewart in her fifth season of racing has earned the title of track champ at Ransomville Speedway. She races go-karts in the Junior 2 Division.

Laina, who just turned 11, zooms around a ½-mile dirt oval, topping 40 miles per hour. Her go-kart is labelled, “The Lyndonville Rocket.” She is a sixth-grader at Lyndonville.

Laina  also currently tops in the state in points in the Junior Purple Clone division with 286 points. Levi Herriven is second at 278, and Jax Cotriss of Middleport is third at 256. Jax finished second to Laina at Ransomville.

“They pretty much battle it out all year,” Laina’s stepfather Ricky Washburn said about a friendly rivalry between Laina and Jax.

Laina also races at the Weedsport Speedway near Syracuse once or twice a month on Saturdays or Sundays while Ransomville has been a weekly competition on Thursdays. The state rankings continue until the final week of racing on Oct. 27 in Weedsport.

“She’s a natural at it,” Washburn said about Laina. “She’s competitive.”

Laina Stewart, second from left, is shown with her family, including her mother, Desirae Davis; stepfather, Ricky Washburn; and her sister, Parker.

Laina moved up a division this year after being in the Junior 1 Division in 2023. She races with about 15 other 10- to 12-year-olds. The maximum speed increased by about 5 miles per hour from Junior 1, topping out at about 45 mph this year. Laina likes to go fast on the straight-a-ways and lets off the gas, a little, when she rounds the corners

She also plays soccer and softball, and this year is playing football for the first time, as a defender for Lyndonville’s youth football team.

The racing is a family-oriented event. Washburn and Laina’s grandfather, Keith Davis, are in the pit and keep the go-kart in good working order.

Laina’s 3-year-old sister Parker is eager to get into racing in about two years.

“It’s fun getting together every week,” Washburn said about the racing outings. “It’s a whole family thing.”

Laina appreciates the support from her major supporters: Slack Karts Performance Mfg., a go-cart business in Middleport; Tom Klink from Infinit Technology Solutions; and Independent Pizzeria in Weedsport.

After the season ends in Weedsport, Laina expects to race a few times this winter in Kentucky.