Living life in the fast lane

by Dan Holland

For 11-year-old Brecksville resident Brady Lewandowski, checkered flags and finishing ahead of the pack has become a way of life.

Lewandowski, who began go-kart racing at age 5, won his first championship in the 8-12 age group at Thompson Kart Raceway in 2021. He currently trains and competes in a 10-race series at Pitt Race Karting in Wampum, Pennsylvania, in the Junior Sportsman’s Class. He also competes in national go-kart racing events held at the track.

“He’s sort of a big deal in the sport,” said mother Carrie Phillips. “He’s going for the [karting] championship this year at Pitt Race International Raceway. His father raced growing up, and Brady was the first of our sons to show a big interest in racing. He knows more than most grown men know about Formula One and Indy cars.”

The family purchased Brady’s current vehicle in 2020, a Compkart Ranger with a 4-cycle 206 cc engine that reaches speeds up to 60 mph. The family plans to upgrade to another vehicle once he moves up to the junior age category in two years.

“We’re very proud of him,” said father Bryon Lewandowski, who competed in go-kart racing himself in the 1990s. “It’s a lot of hard practice on and off the tracks; his ambition and commitment to the sport is unwavering.

“He grew up around race tracks at six months old watching Indy cars at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course,” he continued. “I’ve been into racing a long time and I taught him how to drive and taught him everything about racing, and he’s doing very well at it. He won a championship in 2021, and is in the points lead this year at Pitt Racing.”

Brady would eventually like to become a sports car race driver.

“I’ve been in this sport since I was 5, and my dream is to become a professional sports car driver when I’m older and maybe drive in the GTD Pro Series,” said Brady.

“His goal would be to get into some type of sports car racing financially, carried along with a sponsorship,” Bryon Lewandowski said. “That would be the ultimate goal; where he’s getting paid and under contract as a driver for a race team.”

Through his racing endeavors, Brady has made a number of friends over the last few years, said Phillips, who videotapes all of his races.  “I don’t put the videos online until the next season, so that competitors don’t see his lines that he takes, and things they can watch and learn from him,” she said. “Once that green flag waves, all friendships are off until the checkered flag waves. There are a few other Ohio kids there [at Pitt Race Karting], and we cheer them all on.”

Brady, who will begin sixth grade this fall at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School, drew a lot of attention recently driving his go-kart in the 2024 Brecksville Memorial Day Parade.

“That was his first parade,” said Phillips. “People kept running up and taking pictures of him; it was a lot of fun. His teachers and friends came out to support him. I’ve never seen a go-kart in a parade before; not a lot of people know about kart racing for kids.”

After a second-place finish in last year’s championship, Brady is currently eyeing the #1 spot.

“Last year, he came in second place by four points,” said Phillips. “But that kid moved up to the next age group, so now everyone is eyeballing Brady. He still has two years at this level.”

“It’s a tough sport and an individual sport,” added Lewandowski. “We did the other team sports with our other sons, but when he wins, it’s all his victory. It’s expensive; with thousands of dollars invested, but he races every race throughout the season. He loves it and has friends at the track, and he is one of the best drivers there.” ∞

Brecksville resident Brady Lewandowski, pictured wearing his helmet prior to a race, began racing go-karts at the age of 5.
Photos submitted by Carrie Phillips.

When he grows up, Brady Lewandowski
wants to be a professional sports car driver.

Brady Lewandowski (center) holds up
his first-place award at Pitt Race International.
Pictured with him are Addison
Haydo and Caleb Smith. Photo submitted.

On our cover (photo): Brecksville go-kart driver Brady Lewandowski gears up for this year’s race season with hopes of winning his division at Pitt Race Karting in Wampum, Pennsylvania. Photo submitted.