'09
July 3rd auto races at the Ripley County Fairgrounds kicks
off the July Fourth celebration
Gary Franklin, Sports Writer
This year's Fourth of July celebration in Osgood
kicked off with automobile racing on Friday evening, July
3, in front of the grandstands at the Ripley County Fairgrounds
Park with the racing venue under the direction of Terry Eaglin
of Terry Eaglin Motorsports.
Local auto racing enthusiasts watched the three men pictured
below take trophies in their respective classes as the night's
races wound to completion.
Capturing the checkered flag and trophy for the Mini Sprints
in his ERC22 was Scott Bradley. Taking the championship path
in the Three/Quarter Midgets was Tate Martz in his #22 entry.
Hanging on for the checkered flag against his competitors
in the Non-Wings race was Adam Beliles with his #66 entry.
Special to the races held on July 3rd, was that the race venue
featured a first time ever running of the SCORA Series Non-Wings
on the Ripley County Fairground track. They run in the 700+
horsepower range.
The races drew a large crowd and delivered excitement throughout
the evening with the racers battling it out on the track in
each event.
The well attended event later gave way to the Ripley County
Chamber of Commerce fireworks that were set off in the center
of the fairgrounds following the completion of the races.
Folks attending the free fireworks display filled the fairground
parking spaces and surrounding streets to a near standing
room only capacity.
To say the event was well attended by the community would
be putting it very mildly, as the big bang fireworks were
set off to a very large and anxious crowd.
The large crowd was not let down as the annual fireworks display
was noted by many to remain one of the best our area has to
offer.