Ethan Cortes is 10 years old, entering fifth grade, and about to represent Naperville on a world stage.

The Naperville resident won the Greater Chicago Golden Ticket on Saturday, June 6, earning the stock car Chicagoland championship at the local track at Diehl and Frontenac roads. That win punched his ticket to the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship, running Saturday, July 11, through Saturday, July 18, at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.

"I joined soap box for the fun of it. I never thought I would win," Ethan told the Chicago Tribune.

He won't be alone. Brilee Butler, 8, and her brother Logan Sennholtz-Linder, 17, also race with the Naperville-based Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby organization and qualified for the world stage. The family lives in St. Charles but trains on the same 700-foot Naperville track where Ethan earned his title.

Brilee is the top point-earner and has the most first-place wins in a region spanning Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota, according to the Tribune. She competes in the All-Star race on Friday, July 17. Logan, a rising high school senior making his ninth trip to Akron, races in the Legacy Division Championship the same day. He's been competing since age 7 and once placed third in the world. Last year, he lost by 0.002 seconds.

The world championship draws more than 300 local champions from around the globe, ages 7 to 20, competing across Stock, Super Stock, and Masters divisions for a share of $36,000 in college scholarships from the Bill Speeg Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Race director Stan Iglehart told the Tribune that Soap Box Derby stands apart from other youth sports because parents can't sit on the sidelines. They load drivers at the top of the ramp and serve as car handlers and mechanics. Leslee Butler, the siblings' mother and the organization's treasurer, was three weeks into motherhood when Brilee attended her first derby event.

For families interested in trying the sport, the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby holds fall rallies Saturday, September 12–13, and Saturday, October 10–11, at the Naperville track. Anyone ages 7 to 20 is eligible, and Iglehart owns about two dozen cars that Chicago-area kids can borrow to compete.

This week in Naperville: July 9–15

Saturday, July 11, through Saturday, July 19 — Unplug NPD: Visit three or more featured Naperville Park District parks and complete activities for a chance to win a $25 Park District gift card. Details at napervilleparks.org/unplugnpd.

Sunday, July 12 — Concerts in Your Park: Within Four Days, 7–8:30 p.m., Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Ave. Free.

Tuesday, July 14 — Children's Lunch Hour Entertainment: Istvan & His Imaginary Band, 11:30 a.m., 95th St. Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Dr. Free.

High school varsity sports are on summer break with no IHSA-sanctioned games scheduled. For North Central College Cardinals summer athletics, check northcentralcollege.edu/athletics. For Park District adult league schedules, visit napervilleparks.org.