Take the checkered flag

Hundreds of spectators had to watch their toes as Cub Scouts weaved and raced their way along the track at the Fourth Annual Pushmobile Races.

Unlike the downhill soapbox races, these carts need something to make them go. Enter west Texas Cub Scouts.

“We’re flatlanders, here. We don’t have any hills,” Scott Britton said with a laugh.

In all, more than 900 people filled the parking lot behind Music City Mall and spectators were lined up just along the edge of the four racing lanes. Lawn chairs, umbrellas, coolers and barbecue grills gave the scene a tailgating atmosphere. The Buffalo Trail Scout Council covers 18 counties over west Texas and teams hailed from cities such as Odessa, Snyder, Monahans, Midland, and the Big Bend area. But it wasn’t just the racers and the rest of their cub pack along for the ride, moms, dads, siblings, grandparents and even a dog made the journey.

Photo By Heather Leiphart|Odessa AmericanTy Pitcox pushes Conner Loffler toward the finish line at the Cub Scout push car races behind the Music City Mall Saturday.

“The Cub Scouts is a place where families and communities are coming together,” Britton said. Britton is the district director for the Buffalo Trail Council and a very busy man Saturday.

“There are about 300 kids participating in the races,” Britton said, “and we’re coordinating with the mall and other businesses to get these families to stay here all day and enjoy Odessa.”

As the races got underway, four teams consisting of eight boys lined the track for the pushmobile relay and parents and monitors filled the in between lanes running and cheering. Pack 775 from Odessa had four teams participating and stood out in the crowd wearing bright blue shirts. Several boys on the team were veteran pushmobilers and some were new to the scene.

“Last year when I was riding, it kinda felt like it was slow motion,” 9-year-old Caleb Naylor said describing what it is like to be pushed on a cart. Naylor is a four-year veteran but has some newbie teammates.

“I think it’s all fun, but I like riding more than pushing,” 9-year-old rookie Ivan Orozco said. “You don’t know how much someone weighs and if they weigh more, it makes it slower, and if they weigh little, it’s easier.”

But it isn’t all about winning. The boys work together and train together. Michael Mulkey, 11, said he and his team built a smaller version of the track in front of his home and practiced out there.

“We feel good. We work together,” 8-year-old Jude Nunez said. “And I feel like I have more friends.”

Britton said giving the boys an opportunity to work together toward a common goal builds teamwork and a sense of accomplishment.

“We’re all working together to develop the values in our young people,” he said.

Photo By Heather Leiphart|Odessa AmericanJames Palmour, standing, and Syrus Cranfill pull out ahead of the other cars at the start of a race Saturday at the Cub Scout push car races.