CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- At just 16 years old, NASCAR Pinty's Series driver Cayden Lapcevich has already broken a record set by Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano.
In 18 starts, the Ontario (Canada) native has become the youngest driver to win a NASCAR series championship, beating out Logano's previous K&N Pro Series East record of 17 years old set in 2007.
But it wasn't without trial, tribulation and a dose of his mother's trust.
In 2015, Lapcevich put up one top-five and three top-10 finishes in six starts, but come 2016, he found himself down a major sponsor and in need of a team.
"We lost that motivation at one point to even go down to the race shop because we just couldn't see ourselves making it out this year," Lapcevich told NASCAR.com. "But I finally was able to convince my mom that I would work on the cars and do it all myself and she was just like, 'If you and your dad can prepare it, we'll do it.'
"But even once we had the car prepared, she second-guessed herself. But I don't think she's second-guessing herself anymore. I think she realizes that she made the right decision by letting me go to the first race.
"It was hard to get to the first race with very minimal funding, but I'm glad we made the first race because it's led to so much."
Lapcevich is a third-generation driver and the son of an electrical contractor. His dad also doubles as his crew chief for the No. 76 Dodge.
"I've always looked up to my dad because he's taught me everything I know about racing," Lapcevich said. "He's made me an all-around better race car driver.
"Even last year when we had the funding to pay someone (to be my crew chief), as good as it was to have someone so knowledgeable, it didn't feel comfortable not having my dad as my crew chief because he's been my crew chief my whole life. He's always been my driving coach and we just connect so well. I think it's a dream that every driver has."
With his dad in his ear and his mother's faith resting on his shoulders, Lapcevich began to build a race team -- a volunteer race team, at that.
"A couple of the (pit crew) guys have been around (the sport) for 25 years, plus," Lapcevich said. "They just show the same dedication and passion to the sport that I do and that my dad did and we all want to go out and win. I think that's what keeps the guys that volunteer interested. They want to see what's next and they want to be a part of that."
Lapcevich and his team won three Pinty's Series races this season, clinching the 2016 title after taking the green flag on Sunday at Kawartha Speedway.
With a championship -- along with a fresh driver's license -- Lapcevich looks ahead to what the future could hold for a record breaker.
"Hopefully (next season) brings me down south," Lapcevich said. "I'm hoping that something big comes up and we can put together a ride in K&N or make a few (Camping World Truck) starts, but we'll see. I'm still trying to let the championship sink in.
"I'd like to see myself in the Sprint Cup Series or racing XFINITY full-time. I've set up some quality goals and I'm trying to chase those goals."
As Lapcevich continues to grow and strives to fulfill his racing dream, he keeps in mind the drivers who have also come from similar beginnings.
"I look up to guys that started in quarter midgits, like me," Lapcevich said. "Guys like Joey Logano or Ryan Blaney. They've just inspired me knowing that you can come from that starting point and make it to the top.
"Also breaking Joey Logano's record as the youngest champion gives me hope that we're headed in the right direction here."
While he admires Logano, ask this teenager who he has winning this 2016 Sprint Cup Series title and his answer has some roots.
"I'd like to see Martin Truex Jr. win it all because he's been really consistent this year and he's got Canadian crew chief Cole Pearn who used to race with my dad, so it's really cool to see him climbing the ranks."
Hear that, Logano? This kid is breaking your records and picking against you (let it be known, Lapcevich does predict the No. 22 Team Penske driver will make it to the Championship Round). Next thing you know, he could be in your rearview mirror, Joey.