More on the Racer's Reunion below:
By: Kevin Fletcher

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (Jan. 3, 2007) - The Ozarks Area Racers Reunion marks its 20Th year this season, as plans are underway to celebrate on January 6Th at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Mo. The Shrine Mosque is located at 601 St. Louis Street in the downtown area of the queen city town.

Helping celebrate year 20 will be the driver of the number 20 Home Depot car Tony Stewart, Stewart stated he was coming especially for the racers of the Midwest, but also wanted to be present to help induct a long time friend and to help thank one of the people that believed in Tony when he needed a start in racing years ago. The inductee list for the year shares hundreds if not thousands of feature wins between countless drivers.

Awarded this season will be Larry Howard, one of those responsible for getting Tony Stewart started in racing. But not only Stewart, Howard has been the driving force behind many race teams over the last 40 years having over 50 drivers to be exact. Another who put many drivers in victory circle is Bob Davis of Springfield, Mo. Davis was responsible for helping many drivers achieve legend status in the Ozarks including his brother Frankie and another of this years Inductees Delbert Hassler. Hassler started racing in the late 50's and blazed the tracks all across the Midwest, with one of his most famous cars being one of his last cars, a Super Sport Chevelle owned by Charlie Oberbeck. Another one of the Legends awards for 07' goes to the late Jack Belk of Joplin, Mo. Belk's name rang across many p.a. systems thru the 50's thru the 70's, he scored an amazing 35 championships and over 200 "A" Feature wins.

Buck Armstrong's name will be spoken highly as a pioneer inductee the same way they used to talk about his cars in the late 60's. Buck hand picked some of the best drivers for his cars including David Goldsberry, Tom "Bolivar" Brown, Dean Roper, Lloyd Sawyer, George Baxter and the colorful racer Verlin Simmons. Retired now Buck lives on his small farm with his faithful dog "Smokey". Bob Newkirk is another name more of the Old Timers might remember but, from the stories that have been told of him it's a shame he wasn't racing over the last few years. Newkirk cashed many promoters checks in the 50's in his famed F6 32 ford coupe. He was fierce on both Dirt and Asphalt competing at the Ozark Speedway also known as the Fairgrounds Speedway, Taney Bowl Speedway in Branson, Mo. as well as Greentop in Joplin and the Humansville and Ava tracks.

Bob Fielder was another one that had talents to keep a car at the front that many was jealous of. Originally a "Straightliner" Bob converted from Drags to the Excitement of Stock Car racing in the 60's, his who's who list of drivers included the one and only Wee Willie Crane, Terry Brumley, Jim Johnson, Harvey Hilton, Jeff Campbell and "Corvette" John Corless to name a few. Also teaming up with a long time school friend Johnie Friebe, Fielder and Friebe ran many years together and recieved many awards.

Bud Jones and Bud Mckee was quite a pair especially with a Jones prepaired engine under the hood. But Jones help was seeked by many in the pits after they saw the horsepower he could find in the engines. Soon Jerry Shaddy and Joe Naegler was wanting engines of their own for their striving careers. One team that Jones built motors for was a true test of his talent, Larry Phillips abused many a motor in the area thru the 70's and won an equal amount of races proving Jones could assemble horsepower.

Another legend that's carved his place in history is Ken Essary of Cape Fair, Mo. Nearing Social Security age, Essary refuses to slow down. fact is he's faster now than he ever was, on and off the track. Winning his first race 35 years ago, Essary has notched another 700 race wins. In 1973 he competed at the Fayetville, Ark. track and won his first championship then again in 1974 he notched another 18 of 20 races there. His best run was at the Monett Speedway winning the season points championships for a mere 14 seasons in a row. Along with being Inducted in the Ozarks Area Racers reunion Essay was Inducted last season into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in Union, Kentucky. Most recently a book was released about the "Flying Farmer" and some of his accomplishments.

Along with the Legends and Pioneers that will be honored at 7 p.m. that evening will be Thousands of Pictures on display from all the area racetracks. Pictures from the 30's thru present day racing. A wide array of cars will also be on display including a vintage Ford Coupe that is in uncut unrestored condition, just as raced 50 some years ago. Another oldie will be a Midget that has had countless hours of restoration, Plus many more including present day cars belonging to Dave Ware, Jesse Stovall, Restro cars of Mike Watson and Les Friebe, Ken Scott and many, many more. Advance tickets can be bought at all area O'Reilly Auto Parts as well as Ticketmaster, Ron's Racing Collectibles, Greene County Damaged Food and Freight Sales and the Shrine Mosque.

Kevin Henson's 2007 Race Brothers Show-Me Late Model will be displayed at the Reunion.

Also, Silver Dollar City has donated 2 day passes to the park, which will be raffled at the Reunion with the proceeds being donated to Camp Barnabas. Stop by the Show-Me Series booth to purchase your tickets and to check out Kevin's car.

For more information contact Mark Perry at 417-886-3358 or Kevin Fletcher at 417-234-3273
or midwestracing@sbcglobal.net 

Advance Tickets can be purchased for $15 for Adult $20 at the door. Kids tickets are $8

There will be a limited number of autographs from Tony Stewart and only 1 item per individual will be autographed.