Friday, November 01, 2019

"Racing Family Patriarch" Joseph Lapcevich Born - November 1, 1944

November 1, 1944 - April 3, 2013
Joseph "Joe" Lapcevich
Home: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada.
The Lapcevich family has been a part of the Canadian motorsports’ scene for many years and the common denominator has been Joseph as father, grandfather, uncle, team owner and spotter. The family has been an integral part of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series since it began in 2007. His sons, Jeff and Jim, have competed in the series as has nephew Nik. Jeff is still active as a driver, Jim retired from racing following the 2008 season to concentrate on a business venture and Nik last raced in the series in 2009. His eldest son, Joe Jr., was killed in a car accident several years ago while heading home from Vancouver. He was in Western Canada to race cars. Grandsons Cayden and Treyten are just beginning their racing careers, with Cayden making his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut May 17, 2015 at the age of 15.

Joe Lapcevich died April 3, 2013 down the street from his Stoney Creek home on Ridge Road. According to his son, Jim, the coroner found that Lapcevich, 68, suffered a heart attack behind the wheel of his pickup truck. He had no previous medical conditions despite beating throat cancer in 2007. Investigators at the time said Lapcevich was headed westbound on Ridge Road when his truck veered from the road and struck a large tree stump. He died at the scene.

“Everyone from the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series passes along their condolences to the Lapcevich family,” said Brad Moran, touring series director for NASCAR. “Joe was salt of the Earth. The entire Lapcevich family is filled with good people all taking their cues from Joe. We’re all very sorry for their loss.”

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