I just returned from a 22-hour road trip to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri where I attended my first Shootout. I decided to go check out the legendary Lake of the Ozarks Shootout a few weeks ago when it was confirmed that I did not have a race that weekend for the first time in a long time.

One of my stiffest competitors in F1, Tim Seebold, invited me to stay at his place. Let me say, it was a great event, and we had a great time. We spent a lot of time looking at some beautiful boats, talking shop with Bill (Seebold, Tim's father) and Tim, and seeing a bunch of old friends from racing. I took my 28 Skater and ran in my first poker run, and I even made a pass in the Shootout (Shaun reached 106 mph).

I was thouroghly impressed with the entire event—it was well organized and a true meeting of boating enthusiasts. If you have never been, it is something to put on your bucket list.

I want to thank the Seebolds for their hospitality. Tim’s wife, Debbie, was a wonderful host. It is funny because all the years racing in St. Louis, people use to hold up signs saying “This is Seebold Country.” Man were they right. I call Tim "The Mayor" now because wherever we went we had to stop and talk to what seemed like hundreds of people.

It was also great spending some time listening to stories from Bill, who is the most successful tunnel boat racer of all time. It was the first time I spent any time with the man away from a race and it was great.