Axel Rivera

This may be an unpopular opinion, but in our family, we don't celebrate the wins — we celebrate the drive.

Some of our favorite races are races Axel didn't even win.

For example, Lui's favorite race this year was Axel's Titans Jr. 160 race. Axel finished 2nd, but what a drive. That race tested his skills, his grit, and his determination.

Last year, he got a DNF after being hit under caution and breaking his suspension. But he kept driving that car, bouncing through every turn, holding onto 1st place until the final two laps when the suspension finally gave out completely. We were incredibly proud of that drive.

On the flip side, one of Axel's most disappointing races this year ended with a heat race win. He crossed the line first, but he was blocking, and didn't race the way we expect him to. We didn't celebrate that win. We had a conversation instead. These are kids, and they're still learning.

The best part? He came back out for the main, raced respectfully, raced hard, and earned the feature win. That win we celebrated.

Kids racing isn't about the plastic trophies.

It's training for whatever comes next, whether that's Midgets, Legends, Club Racing, or even the big dream of professional racing. This is where they learn the fundamentals. This is where we, as parents, have the opportunity to teach them how to be both respectful drivers and great competitors.

Someone said to me at the track on Sunday, "I always hear you and Lui telling Axel to drive with respect, and I absolutely love that."

We'll never stop saying it.

✅ Did you drive with RESPECT?

✅ Did you hold your line and not back down?

✅ Did your car make it out in one piece in all avoidable situations?

✅ Did you try your hardest?

✅ Did you learn something?

Celebrate the drive, not the wins.

It was a great Mother’s Day weekend and 3rd points race at the track filled with competitive racing, lessons learned, and a lot of proud moments for our team and family. Axel did an awesome job all day long.

In the Junior Honda heat race, Axel made contact with another driver early on, which unfortunately knocked the alignment out on the car. On the restart, he lined up P3 behind Cara. The two put on a great battle with multiple laps of over-under and crossover passes as they raced hard for position throughout the closing laps. With just 2 laps to go, Axel knew he didn’t quite have the speed to pull away, so he started defending too hard trying to hold the position. After the race, Lui talked with him and explained that while he understood what Axel was thinking in the moment, blocking isn’t the proper way to retain position. He told Axel that’s not who he is as a person or as a driver, and it’s not something we want to see again. Lesson learned, and we move forward.

Axel started P4 in the Junior Honda A Main, but after getting shuffled back several positions at the start, he had to dig deep and work his way back through the field. The final laps turned into an intense battle with Josh, with multiple position changes back and forth before Axel was able to secure the P1 finish at the checkered flag.

In the Junior Animal heat race, Axel worked his way forward and earned himself a P2 starting spot for the A Main. After a rough start to the race day with multiple on-track issues and a red flag delay, we were finally able to get some solid green-flag racing in. Once things got going, it turned into an exciting battle between Cara, Axel, and Josh with nonstop bumper-to-bumper racing. Axel was able to make the pass for the lead with Josh right on his bumper the entire time. In the closing laps, Josh was looking for every opportunity to retake the position, but Axel stayed composed and held on all the way to the checkered flag.

A huge thank you to Sophia and her family for allowing Axel the opportunity at the last minute to run Sophia’s car in Junior Honda. Lui was able to make setup changes and scale the car before the drivers meeting so Axel could jump in and race. Not bad for never having driven the car in competition before!

And a massive thank you to the Fagans for allowing us to use their backup engine while ours is away at R Motorworks. The support and help from our racing family means everything to us.

Overall, it was a great weekend of racing and a lot of lessons learned. We’re looking forward to competing in the Titan Series this coming weekend. Axel has his sights set on a podium finish, and now it’s time to prepare, practice, and stay focused for the next race. 🏁💪🔥

A massive Thank you to all our amazing sponsors this year. Everytime Axel gets to buckle into his car it's because of the support we get from you all! 🏁

Becky Monnar - Keller Williams Boston Northwest
GPR Autosport
M.L. Voelz
Jacob Voelz
Hamma- Karen Hill Cain
Irene Huff D'Agostino
The Dough Duo

2nd points race in the books! 🏁

Axel started his heat from the back and charged his way through the field, earning himself a P2 starting spot for the Main. From the drop of the green, he came out strong, took the lead immediately, and never looked back — bringing it home in P1! 🏆

An incredible drive all around. So proud of his determination, focus, and how he keeps showing up every time he hits the track. 💪🔥

We also had a special moment today — a family friend, Chipper, surprised Axel at the track and handed him the checkered flag for his victory lap. One of those moments that makes it all even more meaningful.

Huge thank you to our sponsors — none of this is possible without your support!

GPR Autosport
Hamma- Karen Hill Cain
Becky Monnar- Keller Williams Realty
The Voelz Family- M.L. Voelz Jacob Voelz
Irene Huff D'Agostino
The Dough Duo
R Motorworks
Tad Fiser

On to the next one. 🚀

Race season officially kicked off Sunday with the first points race at Little T! 🏁

Axel started his heat race pushing a little too hard and ended up spinning the car in front of him, which sent him to the tail. He worked his way back up a few spots, but after another spin ahead of him, the call went against Axel and he was sent to the tail again. He didn’t give up—charging back through the field to finish P3!

The feature race was incredible. Starting P3, Axel quickly moved up to P2 right off the start. He and his buddy Cara battled hard the entire race, clean and competitive racing from both of them. Axel made the pass and brought it home with a P1 finish! 🥇

So proud of the determination and drive he showed on the track!

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors—this wouldn’t be possible without your support! 💙🏁

GPR Autosport
Becky Monnar
The Voelz Family- M.L. Voelz Jacob Voelz
Karen Hill Cain
Irene Huff D'Agostino
The Dough Duo
R Motorworks
Tad Fiser

🏁 Race season is officially here!🏁

We’re so excited to welcome our new major sponsor for 2026 — Becky Monnar, Real Estate Sales Agent with Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest!

She’s helping make it possible for Axel to be right where he feels at home—on the track—and she can help you find your perfect home too 🏡

Help us give her a warm welcome to the team! We’re looking forward to an amazing season representing Becky Monnar with Keller Williams Realty!

So many people have reached out asking how they can come watch Axel’s last ice race of the season! ❄️🏁

He’ll be racing on March 21 at The Boss Ice Arena in Rhode Island.

Here’s the link to grab your tickets — we’d love to see some familiar faces there cheering him on! ❤️

I will do my best to reach out to everyone who messaged us with the link as well!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JnkZwyUpp/

XIIR Xtreme International Ice Racing Tickets On Sale Now

2nd ice race ✅ and Axel loved every second! ❄️🏎️
Qualifying was tough, he’s grown and kept hitting his knees on the steering wheel 😅. But with a quick adjustment from Lui, Axel powered through to place 3rd in the main race! Incredible passes and even better driving than last time we couldn’t be prouder! 💪🏁
Peep 👀 the champagne he won that he won’t be able to drink for another 13 years 🤣but he loved his first ever champagne shower!🥂
He also signed autographs and got called the next Max Verstappen by a fan huge praise for his favorite F1 driver! 🌟
Can’t wait for the next race in March! 🏎️❄️