Coupeville Sports

Scotlyn Helm, ready to run you off the road. (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)

Scotlyn Helm had a lot of firsts this past weekend.

First official race as a Washington Quarter Midget Association driver.

Her first in-race wreck.

And, most importantly, her first bounce-back after said wreck to reclaim her racing honor.

Helm, a Coupeville Elementary student with a burning need for speed, was behind the wheel at the Monroe Speedway Sunday, where she claimed second in her heat.

That came after a crash and some emergency pit stop repairs.

Not content to stop there, Helm then participated in the “A Main” event, finishing 7th overall despite being run into the wall at one point.

Credit Scotlyn’s fast foot on the gas and ability to cut tight turns on the oval.

But also send a little of that praise to dad Jerry, who was her main man in the pits.

“She bent two axels and steering rods but put up a good fight against more experienced racers for her first race after facing some adversity in car repairs,” papa Helm said.

“The sportsmanship of this group is amazing,” he added. “All the other dads act as pit crew for each other!”

Scotlyn returns to action July 30-31, when she’ll be back in Monroe for a doubleheader full of squealing tires (and hopefully no in-race collisions).

Getting by with a little help from dad.

Eyeballing the competition.

It’s a pre-race traffic jam.

The pit crew gets the Purple Bomber ready to rumble.