We’ve more than doubled the number of scouts between the two packs, which has just been fantastic. Today’s Pinewood Derby is kind of the capstone of all that hard work.”

Dan Luskey, committee chair for Pack 9278

Anyone interested in joining can visit the national site BeAScout.scouting.org, where they can search for local packs and sign up.

Hastings Middle School
1000 11th St W
Hastings, Minne 55033
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The cafeteria at Hastings Middle School buzzed with energy on the morning of April 12 as Cub Scouts from Packs 9278 and 9444 gathered for one of Scouting’s most cherished traditions, the Pinewood Derby. But this year’s event wasn’t just about the kids and their handcrafted wooden racecars. It was a true community celebration that brought together scouts, families, city leaders, and law enforcement in a spirited, family-friendly competition that embodied the heart of Scouting: fun, creativity, and unity.
“We’ve had a great year,” said Dan Luskey, committee chair for Pack 9278. “We’ve more than doubled the number of scouts between the two packs, which has just been fantastic. Today’s Pinewood Derby is kind of the capstone of all that hard work.”
For the uninitiated, the Pinewood Derby is a racing event where Scouts, with the help of family members, design and build cars from a block of pine wood, plastic wheels, and metal axles. The finished creations are then raced down a sloped track, with timing software capturing the results down to the hundredth of a second.
“It’s not just throwing some wheels on a block and letting it roll,” Luskey explained. “There’s so much the kids learn, from polishing axles to painting and decorating. We saw cars that looked like everything from flat skateboards to a replica of the track itself.”
This year’s winning car, belonging to a Scout named Archer, clocked the fastest single run of the day, just under 3.80 seconds, a remarkable feat in a field where even milliseconds matter. Archer also took home top honors for the overall event, but there were many other memorable moments on the track.
Among the favorites of the crowd was Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender, who joined in on the fun by not only attending but building and racing her own Pinewood Derby car. Her creativity and community spirit earned her the "Crowd Favorite" award for her design.
“She was right there with the kids at our build night,” Luskey said. “It was awesome to see her getting involved, helping build, and then racing with the kids on Saturday.”
Hastings Police also made a strong showing, with three officers on-site to support the Scouts and mingle with families. Officer Gorney, in particular, brought some friendly competition with his “squad car” entry that turned heads and held its own on the track.
“The kids love it when the police officers are here,” Luskey added. “It makes it so much more engaging when they see community leaders racing right alongside them.”
Racing was conducted on a handcrafted four-lane track, and every car raced once on each lane to ensure fairness. The software system paired similar-performing cars throughout the event, ensuring close finishes and keeping the excitement high for all racers.
“It makes for a better experience,” Luskey said. “Even if a kid’s car isn’t the fastest, they’re going to get some wins because they’re racing others at the same level. It’s all about having fun and keeping it exciting.”
While this year’s Derby was a hit, Luskey is already looking ahead to expanding future events. Last summer, the pack hosted a public race, handing out free car kits and hosting build nights for community members. While 40 kits were distributed, only about a dozen racers participated.
“People get busy, and we understand that,” Luskey said. “But we’d love to do more of those and get more people involved. We want this to be a community tradition, not just a scout one.”
Luskey hopes to get even more groups involved in future races, including the Fire Department, Public Works, and maybe even the local news outlets.
“Scouting is really a family activity,” he said. “It’s about building a community of families, and that means involving everyone, leaders, police, city officials, whoever wants to join in and have a little fun.”
Funding for the scouts comes from several grassroots efforts, including the ever reliable can trailer at Coborn’s, as well as annual wreath and popcorn sales. While the cost of each Pinewood Derby kit is only about $7 to $8, those numbers add up quickly when the packs grow, which is the ultimate goal.
Scouting costs roughly $208 for a full year, and both packs offer financial assistance to families in need. Luskey emphasized that what matters most is participation.
“We just want families that are excited and willing to show up,” he said. “We’ve got kids involved in everything, soccer, baseball, choir, dance. We’ve got girls in the pack. There’s room for everyone in Scouting.”
Anyone interested in joining can visit the national site BeAScout.scouting.org, where they can search for local packs and sign up. The hope is that more families in Hastings see what the Pinewood Derby represents, a blend of learning, play, and community spirit, and choose to be part of it.
As the last race wrapped and trophies were handed out, the smiles on the faces of the kids, parents, and city leaders said it all. The Pinewood Derby wasn’t just a competition. It was a celebration, of hard work, of togetherness, and of a community that comes together, even for something as small (and fast) as a block of pinewood with four wheels.