MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Ethan Parke steers the Hoyers car in the Stock division of the Williamsport Soap Box Derby on Market Street Saturday. Parke was runner-up in the division behind Grace Stoltz.

Grace Stoltz, 9, and Alivia Lukowsky, 9, are the winners of Williamsport’s 2022 Soap Box Derby.

Grace, who won the stock division, said the secret to her success was practicing on the hill in her driveway in Montoursville, where her dad would push her down.

“I’m really proud,” Grace’s mom, Morgan Stoltz said. “She worked really hard.”

Grace, in her second year of participating, had fun building the car but her “favorite part was racing,” she said.

Audrey Mosier, 10, of Williamsport agreed that “going down the hill” — the Market Street hill, between Washington and Little League boulevards — is the best part, while Raylan Spencer, 9, of Williamsport said he enjoys crashing into the cones at the bottom of the hill. Raylan’s dad, Eric Spencer, said he is confident Raylan will want to race again next year.

“We’ve always liked racing,” Eric said. “Getting to do this is fun.”

Two former champions — 2015 winner James Doyle and 2016 winner Liam Doyle, both of Muncy — shared some advice for aspiring champions. James recommended keeping a positive attitude and keeping their heads down and their eyes focused on the road, while Liam said racers should take care of their cars.

Eden Shirey, 7, of Linden, echoed James’ advice about keeping a positive attitude.

“You don’t always need to win, you just need to have fun,” Eden, who wants to race again next year, said.

Marie Mertes and Holly King watched the race from their seats near First United Methodist Church, cheering on Jim King, who was racing for his second year.

“It’s always a blast,” Mertes, Jim’s aunt, said.

“We like to cheer him on,” Holly, Jim’s mom, said.