Every year, you can count on the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Central Missouri to deliver at least one—and often several—mind bending performances. Longtime fans have their favorites, of course. Mine happens to be Factory Billet V-bottom’s 186-mph pass on the three-quarter-mile course in 2024.
Outrageous doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Big-number goals extend beyond the racecourse at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix
Naturally, there are many fine choices. The event will celebrate its 38th anniversary later this month. Thousands of competitors have tried their luck in the top-speed contest. And there are sure to be a few minding-bending runs this time around.
But the most impressive Shootout number of all has nothing to do with top-speed and everything to do with the event’s true purpose. In 2025, the event raised more than $800,000 for local charities. In 2024, it raised $730,000. The year prior, it hauled in $675,000.
Now those are some impressive numbers. Because despite the immense wealth that rings the lake, poverty lies just a few minutes beyond. The Shootout began as a charity event and always will be one.
The executive director of event, Leah Martin has a goal of raising $1 million this year. She is both optimistic and realistic about hitting that target.
“That’s what I am shooting for,” she said. “But we’ll see.”
Yet Martin and her fellow organizers have an even loftier objective.
“Our goal is to his $1 million annually,” she said.
Would-be Top Guns take note: You aren’t the only ones shooting for a really big number.