Osgood Journal Sports
July 14, 2009

'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.