SPRINGFIELD, MO (Jan. 7, 2021) – Due to continuing concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 34th Annual Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Reunion and Hall of Fame ceremony has been postponed.
The event, which had been scheduled for Feb. 6 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, is tentatively rescheduled for early January of 2022. It will follow the usual format and honor the eight inductees into the Hall of Fame that were announced last October.
“We’re sorry that we have to postpone the 2021 event, but we feel it’s the safest and best course of action at this time,” Ozarks Area Racers Foundation President Kevin Greven said. “We want the inductees, their families and all the racing fans who love to attend to be able to fully enjoy the festivities without any worry. So we’ll red-flag it for now and come back strong next year.”
Hall of Famers are inducted in two categories – “Legends” for driving accomplishments and “Pioneers” for off-track contributions. The four selected for the Hall in the Legend category are Bob Maggard, David Bates, Clint Henry and Ben Newell. The Pioneers are Bart Bates, Ronnie Arbuckle, Dean Hoover and the husband-wife duo of Debbie and the late Bruce Handley.
Including the eight upcoming inductees, there are 217 members of the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame. Their names are engraved on a beautiful, granite monument which is displayed outside the main entrance of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. The monument is free to view, 365 days a year.
To help feed fans’ winter hunger for local racing, Ozarks Public Television will re-air the popular documentary “On the Fast Track: Racing in the Ozarks” on KOZK, Channel 21, at 8 p.m., on Jan. 21.
Follow the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Facebook page throughout 2021 for special announcements or updates about the 2022 Hall of Fame and Reunion ceremony.
