Billy Evans had to postpone his birthday party for one day, but the delay was well worth the wait for the 10-year-old from Lakewood.

Using a strategy he picked up from another racer, Evans — who turned 10 Saturday — won six of seven races in his Pizza Hut car, including the final against a determined John Morreale, to capture the Jamestown Area Soap Box Derby Junior Division (9-12) championship before a large turnout at the Baker Street course.

Evans, who took the winners’ bracket in the double-elimination derby, was extended to two races with Morreale, who came through the losers’ bracket, before the former won the last race of the day.

For his efforts, Evans earned an all-expense-paid trip to the All-American Soap Box Derby In Akron, Ohio, a $500 savings bond, a bicycle, a huge trophy and a windbreaker jacket.

Billy Evans was 10 years old when he captured the first Jamestown Area Soap Box Derby in 1985. P-J file photo

Evans ran in Lane 2 in the 86th, and final, race and he used a strategy he learned earlier in the day to defeat Morreale going away.

Evans drove far to the right, close to the curb, came back to the middle of the lane where he held a comfortable lead and cruised to the win in 34.28 seconds.

“In the beginning, nobody figured about going off to the edge,” Evans said. “So I just had to keep low, going straight.

“When I came over one time I saw Adam Rickerson do it and he won. And so I tried it and I won.”

Evans’ victory made his dad, Bill, quite proud, too.

“I’m just terribly excited myself,” he said, “but I’m probably more excited for him because I really know what a wonderful experience it is for him to go through the many months that were put into building the car and to come out there and succeed.”