The biggest off-track gathering of the offseason for Ozarks-area racing fans, where past greats are recognized and the upcoming season comes into focus, is scheduled for this Saturday.

The 36th annual Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Reunion and Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Saturday at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds West E-Plex in Springfield. Lucas Oil Speedway will have a booth at the event, with information and schedules for the 2024 season available.

“The Hall of Fame and Reunion is a great time for racing fans from all over the region to gather and talk racing. It's kind of a kickoff to the new season ahead," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. "We want to invite everyone to stop by and see us at our booths and say hello, pick up some information or just talk racing."

Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. with dozens of race cars (both modern day and vintage) plus memorabilia on display. An autograph session for the new Hall of Fame inductees is set for 3:30 p.m. along with a question-and-answer session featuring former regional dirt Late Model star and Ozarks native Bill Frye. The induction ceremony starts at 5 p.m. with area track champions from 2023 recognized during that part of the program.

The Hall of Fame inductees are selected in two categories - Legend (for driving accomplishments) and Pioneers (off-track contributions such as car owners, mechanics, sponsors or media members).

This year's Hall of Fame class in the Legend division is Kelly Bremer of Monett, Scott Drake of Joplin, Stephen Muilenburg of Sparta and seven-time MLRA champion Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan.

The Pioneer division features tech official Jeff Albright of Lebanon, DirtWorks Race Cars founder Gary Bass of Monett, car owner Terry Brown from Joplin and engine builder John Yeoman of Galena, Kan.

Tickets are $15 in advance at participating area O'Reilly Auto Parts locations and $20 at the door. Kids 12-and-under are free.

There are 233 OARF Hall of Famers with their names carved into a 7,600-pound, three-piece granite monument that is on display outside the front entrance of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. It's free for viewing, 365 days a year.

For more information, find the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation's Facebook page.

Lucas Oil Speedway Test and Tune March 30: Lucas Oil Speedway recently unveiled its tentative 2024 schedule with Open Test & Tune set to kick things off on March 30. All three Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series divisions including USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods can attend the open practice, along with other classes. USMTS drivers may also attend as the series returns to Wheatland on Friday an Saturday, Aug. 2-3.

Season pass renewals are available for all events on the 2024 dirt track schedule. Those are $750 for adults (16-61) and $650 (62+). Each season pass holder is entitled to one reserved stadium-style seat, complete with high backs and armrests located in the top six rows of the main grandstand of the dirt track.

The deadline is nearing for fans who purchased Show-Me 100 three-day reserved seats a year ago to renew those passes for the 2024 edition of the event May 23-25. Starting on Thursday, Feb. 1, all available reserved seats for the 32nd annual Show-Me 100 will go on sale to the general public. Those 3-day passes are $115 apiece and do not include pit passes. Those must be purchased separately if access to the pit area is desired.

Contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or email her at nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information on season passes or for any event on the schedule.

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