The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has long honored the state’s rich auto racing tradition, and celebrated its southwest Missouri roots again Tuesday with one of the most impressive structures yet: a 7,600-pound, three-piece display – all in granite – and dedicated to the greats honored by the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation.
President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews and Mark Perry of the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation presided over the unveiling on the south side of the Hall of Fame. The Foundation also announced its upcoming induction Class of 2019, which features former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle.
“This effort has been a fun and detailed process for both of our organizations, and we’re delighted to showcase the monument here at the Hall of Fame,” said Andrews, who grew up on a dairy farm outside of Bolivar and hit area tracks every summer. “The main form of entertainment in the late 1950s and into the decade of the 1960s that my parents enjoyed were area races. We would go to Humansville on Tuesdays, and we would go to Bolivar on Saturdays.
“And, if we were really fortunate, we’d get to go see them run on the asphalt track at the Springfield Fairgrounds on Friday nights,” Andrews added. “I grew up watching so many of the people listed on this monument race in their 1957 Chevys and other late models cars, so it really brings that home for me. I’m really excited for this to be here.”
The Ozarks Area Racers Foundation had been seeking a new site for the monument, which had called the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds home since January 2001. That is when one large monument was erected along “old pit road,” which is now the west entrance to the fairgrounds – ground zero for Ozarks racing during the 1960s and 1970s. It was there that local legends such as Larry Phillips, David Goldsberry and Lester Friebe thrilled fans on Friday nights in the spring and summer.
Each year, “Legends” (those known for driving stock cars) and “Pioneers” (those who supported racing, such as crew chiefs, engine builders, car owners, promoters, flagmen, media members) are added to the Foundation’s Hall of Fame.
However, because the fairgrounds no longer hosts races, the monuments usually sat lonely except during the late-summer Ozark Empire Fair.
Greenlawn Monument Company relocated the main monument in late January and installed the final two pieces last week at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, where many more sports fans now will come to learn the names of the Ozarks’ great racers. There will be 207 names on the updated monument.
The Foundation’s granites are the latest addition to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. An inside wing includes an O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR simulator video game, a video story and display of Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott’s race car, Jerry Clinton’s race suit as well as a tribute to the late Larry Phillips.
Ozarks Area Racers Foundation announces induction class
What began three decades ago as a group of about 20 retired race car drivers and fans getting together to reminisce each year has grown into an annual event featuring cars, photos and memorabilia with 1,000 or more in attendance.
More importantly, in an effort to preserve the Ozarks’ rich motorsports history and to recognize those who have contributed to it, the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation inducts a Hall of Fame class each January. Its 2019 class will be inducted on Jan. 5 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex.
The Class of 2019 is:
Legends
Dick Trickle: The late Wisconsin native frequented the Springfield Fairgrounds Speedway as one of short-track racing’s all-time greats before moving on to NASCAR.
Leslie Essary: The veteran driver from Crane was a mainstay on Ozarks’ dirt tracks for more than two decades
Justin Wells: A multi-time champion at the Monett Speedway, the Aurora native remains competitive even as he competes on a limited basis these days.
Corky Wynn: The driver from Hartville was a consistent contender during some of the area’s most-competitive years at local dirt tracks in the 1970s and 1980s.
Glen Mooneyham: Coming from one of the area’s most well-known racing families, Mooneyham was always a contender when he rolled into the pits.
Pioneers (non-drivers)
Carl Sifferman: Best-known for his work behind the scenes to help others excel on the track.
Marty Denney: One of the premier motorsports artists, he also owns the popular Larry Phillips replica, tribute Chevy Camaro.
Kirby Arnold: Motorsports reporter at the Springfield News-Leader when racing was in its peak years at the Fairgrounds Speedway.
Mike Edwards: One of the region’s familiar voices, for his many years in morning drive-time radio – and to race fans as a popular track announcer.
Mike Pickens: Another who made his mark in many ways off the track, helping others excel on it.
