4/10/2023
Lake of the Woods Speedway
2023 Season Preview: #3 Jason Somack - WISSOTA Midwest Modified
2023 Lake of the Woods Speedway Season Preview
#3
Jason Somack
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds
Hometown: West St. Paul, MB
Somack has been racing for eleven (11) years and is a Red Seal Heavy Duty Mechanic. He has two feature wins (Both at Victory Lane Speedway).
His first race at Lake of the Woods Speedway was during the Dinner Jacket Classic Series on September 9, 2018 where he finished 3rd in the heat and 3rd in the feature.
He started racing in the early 1990s by entering a 200 lap enduro, which was an annual race at the speedway. His friend, Jim Bronk was taking his miraculously still able to drive demo derby car to run in the event,
“I was over at his place, giving him a hand, and had NO knowledge of the enduro that was going to happen. After chatting a while about it, I got the bug to build a car so I could enter the enduro as well.”
Somack was able convince other friends to build a car and were able to enter six (6) cars being built at Jim’s shop.
“Six cars left that day for the enduro, but only two (2) of them made it back without needing a tow truck. 85 cars entered and it was an amazing experience.”
However, it was short lived for him. After just two laps, he was t-boned when hooking a tractor rut, turning the car sideways at the flagstand, and was pulverized by an early 70s Monte Carlo.
“I ended up carrying the nickname, TWO LAPS, by close friends for quite a few years after that.”
Somack runs the number 3 as it has significance to him. All of his life has happened in threes.
“My family has three members, Dale Earnhardt, it is a lucky number, Hockey, Baseball, all my jerseys have had at least a number three in someway.”
He is sponsored by Southside Autobody on Pembina Hwy, Underbid Fencing in West St. Paul, Aegis Autoglass in Winnipeg, Wilf Turton Ltd. in Emerson, MB, and Mowdown Racing Engines in St. Andrews.
His pit crew includes Dale Emms, Jamie Grulle, and Doug Somack.
“I showed up once at the track with all my chargeable batteries dead, including the impact wrench. I turned on the generator and put everything on charge and went to go watch the rest of the heat races. While I was gone, my wife, decided that the generator was too noisy and shut it off. Needless to say, we didn’t grind any tires and now I always have everything fully charged.”
In addition, the on/off button has been removed from the generator, “Now, you have to pull the plug wire to shut it off. Good luck with that one Cheryl… ??”
Somack plans to run for a Track Championship at both Lake of the Woods Speedway and Victory Lane Speedway in 2023. He runs a 2010 Millennium Nightmare chassis (built in Grand Forks, ND), with engines from Mowdown Racing Engines (Dan Klim).
“Thank You to everyone who keeps us racing.”
Promoter’s Thoughts – “Jason has attended six events at Lake of the Woods Speedway, although he has attempted to make the trip more often. Mechanical issues with his transportation have forced him to turn around in the past. His last appearance was in 2020, so it will be interesting to see what he brings to the table with a track surface that has changed since that time.“
Make sure there is air in the tires BEFORE you leave for the track, Jason! :)
Article Credit: Val Catellier Photography