2/3/2020
Laird Raceway
Driver Profile - #84 Modified Mark Laakso (REVISITED)
Laird Raceway and Rev It Up Racing puts you "in the driver's seat" with the weekly driver's profiles every Monday, so you can get a closer look and get a better understanding of just who these drivers are and what "makes them tick."
When this 39 year old Echo Bay, Ontario driver isn't behind the wheel of his #84 red modified at Laird Raceway he will be behind his wheel of his boat fishing with his young son Ellis and daugther Mya as well as his wife Tasha through the lakes in Algoma. The Echo Bay native is truly a family man is always sending time doing something outdoors with his young children.
Laakso says that he is still new to racing even though he has been racing just over five years and is always learning new things from drivers in the pits at Laird week in and week out. The 39 year old driver claims that there is always a friendly rivalry with brother John Ross when the Echo Bay, Ontario driver climbs behind his black #01 on the few occasions that when Ross is home from being away for work.
Name: Mark Laakso
Age: 39
Hometown: Echo Bay, ON
Division: Modified
Car #: 84
Wife: Tasha Laakso (18 years)
Children: Ellis Laakso (4 years old) and Mya (5 years old)
What do you do for a living?
Ironworker (Algoma Steel – 14 years)
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family? Hobbies or interests? What’s your passion?
Hobbies, our family loves the outdoors where we camp, boat, fish, and go four-wheeling. Passion, fishing and hunting especially when it includes my whole family.
Do you remember when you first began to race and why?
Six years ago, I tried Dan Brynes modified for two nights and I was hooked, bought my own modified the following racing season. 2019 was an incredible season with winning the 2019 Laird Modified division championship.
What was the biggest challenge in 2019 at Laird and how do you think you change that going to 2020?
We stayed consistent and tried to keep the car in one piece every night.
Based upon your experiences at Laird Raceway, tell us your most exciting moments of racing?
I don’t have any particular moments that stand out, but every time I climb in behind the wheel and strap in, it is an incredible adrenaline rush.
Who is a clean driver you really enjoy racing with?
In the 2019 race season, I believe that the modified division field ran clean night in and night out. It was fun battling #79 fellow modified driver Roddy Bolduc and my brother in law, #01 John Ross every night in Laird,
On the opposite side of that, is there anyone who always seems to make it particularly hard on you?
The modified Laird division is a very tough class where there a lot of fast drivers that include #7 Josh Ware, #90 Jay Palumbo along with young guns #27 Dustin Jackson and #77 Chase Wilson.
Sponsors?
I would especially like to thank my 2019 sponsors. I would have not been turning left without the help of Hiway Variety Outfitters, John Glavato (Royal LePage), Bucci Place, KC Roofing, Soo Auto, The Dental Office (John Santana/Nick Barbon), Northern Superior Brewing, and Rev It Up Racing.
Article Credit: Rev It Up Racing
Submitted By: Jay Houslander
