In recent news, the 37th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout made history yet again by collaborating with Missouri Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor David Wasinger and his office. This nostalgic move has roots in the mid-to-late nineties where the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout was branded as the 'Lt. Governor's Cup' between 1996-1998. After nearly three decades, the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Lt. Governor's Cup is alive once again.
You heard us correctly, ladies and gentlemen of the marine racing world: This year's Shootout is bringing back the good ol' days in more ways than one and the 37th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Lt. Governor's Cup will make its fourth-ever, 21st century debut in 2025.
From the Office of Missouri Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger is proud to announce that the winner of the annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout—the largest unsanctioned boat race in the country—will once again be awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Cup.
"The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is one of Missouri's premier events," Wasinger said. "This world-class race showcases the energy, beauty, and unmatched hospitality of the Lake region. It's a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a shining example of what makes Missouri such a special place."
In addition to drawing thousands of visitors from across the nation, the Shootout raises significant funds for local charities-making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who call the Lake area home.
"The generosity and community spirit on display at the Shootout are what truly set it apart," Wasinger added. "I look forward to joining 100,000 of my closest friends in celebrating this iconic event and cheering on this year's competitors for the Lieutenant Governor's Cup."
The sentiments expressed above by Lt. Governor Wasinger align perfectly with the direct and immediate aims of the Shootout's federal non-profit organization, per Shootout Executive Director Leah Martin (2021-present).
"In meeting with the lieutenant governor, it was clear that both the Shootout and Lt. Governor's Office can further promote tourism within our community and state by coming together to recreate the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Lt. Governor's Cup in 2025," explained Martin. "The lieutenant governor, who also sits on the Missouri Tourism Commission, is incredibly eager and excited to help promote tourism and growth in our tri-county area and state. There is not a singular event that promotes tourism and represents the Lake of the Ozarks better than the Shootout, so we are thrilled to bring this long-since forgone tradition back to life."
In a continuous attempt to attract more spectators, racers, and national sponsorships from across the nation and world, the 37-year-strong Shootout is only as strong as those who stand up and advocate for it on every front.
"I met with Lt. Governor Wasinger today in hopes of showing him that the Shootout's racers, myself included, are real, normal people and that's what it's all about," said Myrick Coil, a boat mechanic at Performance Boat Center of Osage Beach and 24-year veteran performance boat racer at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. "The Shootout itself has had an immense impact on my life and it's why I am a Hall-of-Famer, Top Gun victor, UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship Series winner, and have chosen to call the Lake of the Ozarks my home. In 1999, I came down to the Lake with a friend in late August, and we stumbled upon the Shootout when it took place at the former Shooters 21. I shared my dream of moving here with my mom, who had previously taken a Yellow Pages phone book home to Illinois from their Gravois Mills, Missouri, lake home, and she used it to sign me up for marine mechanical classes at the Lake of the Ozarks. Five days later, I was sitting in that class and living in Missouri, eating baked potatoes and chicken breasts on a George Foreman Grill for the next year until I graduated from the Lake Career & Technical Center with my certification in Marine Service Technology. That was a long year, but I wouldn't change it for the world."
When asked why the Shootout made the move to brand itself with the Missouri Lt. Governor's Office in the 1990s, there are few more knowledgeable than retired Osage Beach Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Dorhauer who has been involved with this event since its first-ever races in the Summer of 1989.
"We partnered with the Lt. Governor's Office in the mid-1990s for the momentous notability of doing so," explained Dorhauer. "Somebody with the Shootout had reached out to the lieutenant governor at the time in an attempt to push tourism, and members of their office would come down to Shooters 21 for three consecutive years to award the Top Gun winner on Sunday of the Shootout's races."
Having Missouri Lt. Governor David Wasinger award the Shootout's Top Gun (overall fastest racer) with their trophy is a tradition that will be brought back this August.
"For me, the meeting that Shootout Executive Director Leah Martin and seasoned performance boat racer Myrick Coil and I had with Lt. Governor Wasinger was coming full circle to where I began as a volunteer on a Shootout Patrol Boat in 1989," mused Shootout Board of Directors President Mark Maasen (2024-present). "I look forward to establishing and maintaining a wonderful relationship with the Lt. Governor's Office and watching as this event continues to grow."