Youth racers Grayson Corkin (left) and Trae Nyquist pose for a photo on Feb. 22, 2025 at Neil Armatti Sr. Memorial Raceway in Gwinn. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GWINN — Rivalries are a natural part of sports.

Whether its football, basketball, luge or tiddlywinks there’s also disdain for the opposition in a competitive atmosphere. For Grayson Corkin and Trae Nyquist, a rivalry exists in anything they do. And it’s more than apparent when they’re racing on the ice in Gwinn.

“They started out in the same quad class,” Callie Nyquist said. “Then they went into separate classes because they would get upset about who got the trophy when they lost.”

Grayson and Trae are cousins and separated by only two months in age.

“We do everything together,” Corkin said. We play basketball, football, baseball and we both love to race.”

Trae has accumulated 12 trophies over his young career. Of the 12, eight of them are first place trophies.

Trae races in the 0-50 rubber quad, while Corkin races in the 50 and 65cc bike classes.

Grayson had success on the quad but feels more comfortable on the bike he started racing this year and had picked up five feature wins in the seven weekends of racing in Gwinn.

“I like my bike because they are cooler than four-wheelers,” Corkin said. “They are faster and I enjoy going out and racing against other kids.”

Both Corkin and Nyquist have intentions of continuing racing into the future as well as possibly moving up in each class next season.

The racing season is also a way for the family to be together and do things that everyone enjoys.

“I grew up racing and fell in love with it,” said Travis Corkin, Grayson’s dad. “Now to be able to come out here with my son and my nephew is a really special opportunity.”

Nyquist looks to make the jump to the 0-100 rubber class next season, while Grayson Corkin’s next move would be to the 85cc bike class.