WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, WeatherLife in the Fast Lane at the Pinewood Derby

NASCAR's big race, the Daytona 500 is not for another couple of weeks, but some local Cub Scouts are already living life in the fast lane.

"The pinewood derby is the quintessential Cub Scout event," said Pack 44 Leader Brian Bennett. "Everybody in Cub Scouts remembers doing the Pinewood Derby."

"It's a boat, and it has the ribbon, the yellow ribbon on it for the troops," said scout member Harrison Gillen. "And it has stickers on it, and the American flag."

What starts a hunk of pinewood, a few nails and plastic tires is turned into a racing machine that would make Richard Petty proud, cruising more than 30 feet on a track in under five seconds.

"It's just a wonderful way to spend time with our kids, and also with all the kids in the community too," said Kevin Gillen. "These kids go to school together, and get to race together. It's just a great time as a parent. "

Lego men, racing stripes, or supporting the old blue and gold, there are a million ways to design the car.

"It's a Chevy; it has a deer in the back," said scout member Caleb Velansky.

"It's basically a Jeep Cherokee, because my dad, he had his Jeep for like 10 years," said scout member Jack Renton. "And I wanted to build my pinewood derby car after it."

Anyway it looks, all moms, dads, and grandparents are happy lending a hand.

"Spending time with my son, just making the car, the time we got together," said Gillen. "This year especially, he had a lot more input on the car as what he wanted to do. As a father that was the best thing."

"It was a good experience for me," said the younger Gillen, "I really liked it."

"This is, in some ways Cub Scouts at its best," said Bennett. "Parents and grandparents working with kids on a product; they start from the raw materials, they plan it, they design it, they work it together and they get to see real fruits for their efforts. "

Win or lose, it was safe to say all the kids had a good bit of fun.

"I like everybody being here and having the race," said scout member Craig Dombrowski.

"Well, just having a good time, just watching all the races that's all that matters," said Renton.