7/24/2023
Lake of the Woods Speedway
Leek Claims First Feature Since 2020, Copp & McDonald Win Back to Back Features
After two straight weeks of rainouts, Lake of the Woods Speedway was back in action with the Q104 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, WISSOTA Pure Stocks, and Henley Ent. & HD Contracting Ent 4-Cylinders. Before the start of the heat races, fans were welcomed to the fronstretch to meet and greet with all the drivers in attendance. They were then able to vote for their favourite driver, which will be revealed on Saturday, November 18, during the Annual Awards Banquet.
The WISSOTA Pure Stocks were up to the plate first with Alexander Farr, who has been struggling with engine issues this year, starting on the pole with Morgan McDonald on the outside. Right out the gate, Farr was able to get the lead and maintain a straightaway lead.
Meanwhile, Michael Copp had to work through traffic from a seventh place starting spot. By the time he made it to second, Farr was long gone taking the checkered flag in the heat race.
In the feature, Copp had to make his way through part of the field again from the fifth position. Farr had started on the pole, but this time Copp had some momentum. The two battled it out side by side lap after lap. Eventually, Copp made a strong pass on the outside of turn four. With a handful of laps left, rookie Wanda Marshall spun out on the backstretch, bringing out the only caution of the race. On the enduing restart, Farr found a lane further up on the outside.
Once again the two were side by side. Coming to the white flag, Farr had a ton of speed coming out of turn four, but Copp was able to close the door before he could get there. It was a tight and exciting battle throughout the entire race, but Copp was able to claim back to back feature wins for 2023 at Lake of the Woods Speedway.
In the Q104 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, Edward Bell started on the pole and pulled away from the entire field. There were some good battles throughout, with Christopher Leek finishing second and Keelan Hall, third, in the heat race.
The top five in the heat were able to participate in a dash for cash. Keelan Hall would take the win with Bell finishing second, Leek finished third.
In the feature, Leek would take advantage of his low point average to start on the pole, with Bell on the outside of the front row. On the green flag, Leek would pull away from Bell coming out of turn two. It looked to be a forgone conclusion that the race was over. However, season opener winner Keelan Hall was making his way into second place.
By lap twelve Hall was on the bumper of the leader. Leek was starting to push and Hall was looking for a chance to make the pass. However, when the opportunity arose, Hall went up the racetrack at the same time as the leader.
Third place driver, Nick Audette, tried to take advantage of the situation, but both Hall and Leek gathered themselves up before Audette could slide past both. With one last dash, Hall almost made it stick, but Leek would come out victorious with his first feature win at the speedway since 2020.
The Henley Enterprises & HD Contracting Ent. 4-Cylinders put on a heck of a heat race with Logan McDonald and Kamea Mulholland on the front row. The two of them battled side by side throughout much of the race with Dustin Alcock hanging in the weeds. McDonald would be the winner.
The feature played out quite similar, but a couple missteps by K. Mulholland allowed McDonald to pull away. Even with the lead gone, Alcock and K. Mulholland continued to battle it out. In the end, Alcock had to settle for third. McDonald also became a back to back feature winner in 2023.
We are off this weekend of July 30, but will be back for the Dinner Jacket Classic Series on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6! Hot Laps at 5pm with Racing at 5:30pm.
Article Credit: Val Catellier Photography
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