The 37th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has officially announced its new race location for 2025, moving to Dog Days Bar & Grill, near Mile Marker 19 in Osage Beach. This decision aims to enhance charitable fundraising efforts and improve the overall experience for racers, spectators, and sponsors.
The races will be held Aug. 23-24, 2025, at a site just south of the Grand Glaize Bridge, along the picturesque shores of Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The event will
also utilize docks and completed areas of the forthcoming Oasis & Marriott Resort and Conference Center, which is expected to be completed in 2026 and evolve into a "block host location" for the future of the Shootout.
Taylor Scism, Chairperson of the Shootout Board of Directors and vice president of Marine Technology Inc. (MTI) of Wentzville, MO, expressed enthusiasm about the
relocation. “We’re excited to move the Shootout to this new location, which will provide a safer environment for racers and a better experience for attendees, all while raising more funds for local charities,” she told Speedboat.
The logistical challenges of relocating an event of this magnitude approximately 15 nautical miles downstream are already underway. The Shootout organization is actively collaborating with Missouri safety officials to secure the necessary regatta permits and finalize the race course.
Shootout Board President Mark Maasen emphasized safety as the primary concern in this transition. “The new location’s close proximity to Lake Regional Hospital, along with increased boat slip availability and adjacent facilities, made this decision both difficult and exciting,” he explained. “We are grateful for the support from Captain Ron's Bar & Grill over the years, but this new opportunity is too significant to overlook.”
World / National Champion offshore racer and regular participant Myrick Coil of LOTO's Performance Boat Center told Speedboat that he recently ran the new course in a Performance Powerboats 360. "It's kind of a different feeling running into the back of a cove," he said. "That cove is literally at least a mile and a half long, and the mouth of the cove is the finish. I guess it's just different from going to a new place, kind of like when we moved from Shooters 21. I guess the difference is the fact that you're not running along a bluff the entire way."
Coil also likes the convenience factor, as the new location is at the 19-mile marker, making it easier for local residents to get to—not to mention himself. "I could be here at the Performance Boat Center dock and say, 'Hey, I'm gonna go run the Shootout,' and be in line in a matter of minutes."
Scism, another World Champion offshore racer, told Speedboat that she also had a chance to run the course, with husband Shaun Peters in an MTI 48' Cat.
"I think there will be ample room," she said. "l have a full mile shut down, while we had only three-quarters of a mile before. So that's a big addition. We knew that this was going to happen eventually, so we ended up just pulling the trigger this year.
Scism, along with Coil, also praised the location for its convenience to local residents: "It's a better location by land for most people," she said. I think those who come by land will be able to come and go more readily, instead of feeling like it's an all-day activity."
The 2025 Shootout aims to enhance the experience for racers, spectators, and sponsors while prioritizing safety and bolstering infrastructure at the Lake of the Ozarks. Organizers hope the event will generate significant economic benefits for the region's closely-knit communities, leveraging easy access by both land and water to maximize fundraising for various charitable organizations and first responders.
Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis expressed optimism about the event's return to its roots. “The Shootout began here in Osage Beach at Shooters 21, and I believe Dog Days Bar & Grill will serve as an excellent venue for next year,” he said. “Our department is eager to welcome the Shootout back, and I think the City of Osage Beach shares that sentiment. While managing traffic can be labor-intensive, we have successfully handled it in the past and will have additional options once construction at Oasis is completed. It’s shaping up to be a win-win for everyone involved.”
Local officials are also optimistic about the benefits this relocation will bring. Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis welcomed the Shootout back to his jurisdiction, noting that the event has historically supported local first responders. Fire Chief Paul Berardi shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of safety and community involvement.
Mark Barrett, co-owner of Dog Days Bar & Grill, expressed his excitement about hosting the event. “We’re thrilled to be the host location for the Shootout and to see our community come together for this important charitable fundraiser,” he said.
Jeff Tegethoff, developer of Oasis & Marriott Resort and Conference Center, also anticipates a fruitful partnership. “Our original vision for Oasis was to create a world- class, year-round, family-focused entertainment venue that will be the center of gravity for the Lake for decades to come," he explained. "Hosting the Shootout will be a great honor and we are thrilled to be a part of the next phase of growth and global recognition for this marquis event. The work that (Shootout Executive Director) Leah Martin and her team have done to elevate the Shootout aligns perfectly with the vision for Oasis-'Where Moments Become Memories.’”
As the date approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a memorable 2025
Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and beyond.