Redmond High School junior Luke Lenihan beat out approximately 500 other cars last Friday afternoon at Pacific Raceways in Kent to place second at the annual High School Drags, an open event for high schoolers to drag race in a safe, controlled environment.

“The races are something Pacific Raceways does to promote racing in the community at the drag strip instead of on the streets,” said Lenihan’s grandfather, Biff, citing the dangers of illegal street racing. “There were approximately 500 cars at the race, with probably about 5,000 spectators.”

The younger Lenihan, complying with the race’s limitations against dedicated race cars at the high school level, drove his mother’s “grocery-getter,” an Infinity G35, to a runner-up finish.

Luke survived 10 elimination rounds in his run to place second.

“I knew that I had to stay focused,” Luke said. “Through my racing career, I’ve learned what I need to do to calm myself down. I had to put that towards each and every race, and it paid off.”

Having raced since the age of eight in the Junior Dragsters league, where youngsters race in half-size cars, Luke called on all of his competitive racing experience to plow through the field.

“You’ve got to dial your car right, and stay calm,” he said on his keys to success. “And breathe.”

Luke hopes to compete this summer in the more prestigious Lucas Oil series, which is televised. But like many teenagers, he loves the thrill of breakneck speeds and enjoys taking his show dragster out for weekend runs.

“It runs about 200 miles an hour,” said Luke on his personal car. “It’s a 25-foot-long, 235-inch wheel base dragster.”