LAPORTE — With some area lakes boasting almost 3 feet of ice during Minnesota’s deep freeze of winter, those with the need for speed take advantage of a uniquely northern Minnesota sport: ice racing.
Reid Watson is a frequent driver of the Garfield Lake Ice Races, hosted on winter Sundays near Laporte’s Popple Bar.
Watson drives a 1989 Chevy Caprice as Car No. 50. He said in a Feb. 8 interview that the rear-wheel drive cars use studded tires on the front axle and just rubber in the back.
The Garfield Lake Ice Races are locally sponsored by Laporte area businesses and auto repair shops, and funds raised stay local.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
“We raise money for the community and the school and have a good time doing it,” Watson said.
Nearby in Akeley, many Garfield Lake Ice Racers also participate in races on 11th Crow Wing Lake, generally beginning at noon Saturdays.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
The Garfield Lake Ice Races is celebrating its 25th season in 2026. Its season is slated to run from January through mid-March, though the season may end early if ice conditions deteriorate.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
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— Head flagman, Tom Lindahl, waves the checkered flag to signal the end of the ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Head flagman, Tom Lindahl, waves the checkered flag to signal the end of the ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Car #99 caught fire after coming off the race track due to a brake fluid leak. Ice racing participantsgather around to put out the fire on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Car #99 caught fire after coming off the race track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026. Ice racing participants gather around to extinguish the fire and diagnose the problem which was due to a brake fluid leak.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Point keepers, Brittany Lang and Karen Trapier, keep track of racer standings from the point shack beside the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Point keepers, Brittany Lang and Karen Trapier, keep track of racer standings from the point shack beside the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Racing participants make a quick repair with zip ties between ice race heats on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
A racing crew makes a quick repair with zip ties between ice race heats on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Sandra Snow and Reid Watson stand in front of their car for a photo during ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Sandra Snow and Reid Watson stand in front of their car for a photo during ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— In the passenger seat, Sandra Snow is Reid Watson's spotter during the ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
In the passenger seat, Sandra Snow is Reid Watson's spotter during the ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026. He sees what's in front and she's responsible for telling him what's behind.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A car on the race track passes a US flag planted on a mound of ice on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb.8, 2026 _1.jpg
A car on the race track passes a US flag planted on a mound of ice on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb.8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A car gets some air coming off a turn during an ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Car #38 gets some air coming off a turn during an ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Car #86 takes some hot laps to get ready to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Car #86 takes some hot laps to get ready to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— The driver of Madd Maxx takes some hot laps to get ready to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb.jpg
Madd Maxx takes some hot laps on the ice track to get ready to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A young racer attaches a studded tire to a car in preparation to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
A young racer attaches a studded tire to a car in preparation to race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Cars throw up snow from the race track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Cars throw up snow as they head into a curve on the race track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— 03 Cars race in a heat around the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Cars race in a heat around the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Reid Watson chats with friends between ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Reid Watson chats with friends between ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— 02 Cars race in a heat around the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Cars race in a heat around the ice track on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Cars slide around a turn during an ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Cars slide around a turn during an ice race on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Joshua and Ensley Krull at the ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
The sound of racing cars doesn't appeal to everyone. Joshua and Ensley Krull watch one of the ice racing heats on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A sign directs drivers and crew where to go on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
A sign directs drivers and crew where to go on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Racing boards display upcoming ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb.jpg
Race boards display car numbers in upcoming ice races on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— 01 Cars race in a heat on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.jpg
Cars race in a heat on Garfield Lake in Laporte on Feb. 8, 2026.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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