Garfield Lake Ice Racers hold 2023 Awards Banquet

LAPORTE — It was a packed house on Saturday at the Woodshed in Laporte with a crowd gathered to celebrate and remember the 2023 Garfield Lake ice racing season.

President of the club Kris Baker and flagman Tom Lindahl distributed awards to each class, including a few special awards.

They also thanked the drivers, crews, fans and especially the track workers, scorekeepers and plow truck drivers for a great season. Many door prizes and gifts were presented to lucky winners.

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The evening started with a happy hour followed by a pulled pork dinner. Baker announced that the Akeley Ice Racing club and the Garfield Lake club are set to hold a couple of two-day special races in 2024.

Special awards were given to Faye Lewis for Rookie of the Year and to Cam Labelle for the Hard Luck award.

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Plaques were awarded to the top five finishers in both the B and A classes with Sam Delaney receiving the first place award in the B class and Chad Tabaka in the A class.

A grand total of 51 drivers raced with the club in 2023. In 2022 the club donated more than $60,000 to various groups and individuals in need in the area.

SEASON TOP 10 RESULTS

B Class

1. Sam Delaney: 1,216 points

2. Abe Forseman: 1,197 points

3. Bob Pawlitschek: 1,178 points

4. Hunter Weeks: 1,170 points

5. Jimmy Venem: 1,108 points

6. Cam Labelle: 1,105 points

7. CJ Roller: 947 points

8. Tony Rohloff: 945 points

9. Faye Lewis: 830 points

10. Kyle Davis: 828 points

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A Class

1. Chad Tabaka: 1,298 points

2. Nate Zanter: 1,168 points

3. Kalin Honer: 1,165 points

4. Jared Miller: 1,161 points

5. John Farrington: 1,093 points

6. Fritz Myers: 1,072 points

7. Josh Bitker: 1,052 points

8. Reid Watson: 1,002 points

9. Dillon Lutgen: 999 points

10. Bonnie Farrington: 956 points

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