On a vibrant Thursday evening at Shady Gators in Lake Ozark, MO, the 2nd annual XINSURANCE Offshore Race was preceded by a special announcement: the 2025 inductees into the Bob Morgan Memorial Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor, established in 2013 to celebrate the individuals and businesses shaping one of America’s premier powerboating events, welcomed four new members: Justin Wagner, Slug Hefner, Ray Lee of Speedboat Magazine, and Greg Olson. Their induction ceremony, set for Tuesday, Aug. 19, during Shootout week at a yet-to-be-announced venue, will cement their legacies alongside past luminaries as John Cosker, Randy Scism, Bob Teague, Johnny Tomlinson and Don Onken.
Since its inception, the Bob Morgan Memorial Hall of Fame has recognized the racers, boatbuilders, volunteers, media, and safety crews who make the Shootout a global phenomenon. Named after Bob Morgan, a key figure in the event’s early years, the Hall honors those whose passion and contributions elevate the late-August top-speed competition at Captain Ron’s. Past inductees include Mystic Powerboats’ John Cosker, MTI’s Randy Scism, and media pioneers like Speedonthewater.com’s Jason Johnson (2018) and Matt Trulio (2024), reflecting the diverse roles that drive the Shootout’s success. The 2025 class, each a mainstay of the event, embodies this tradition with their unique achievements and dedication.
The Lake of the Ozarks, often dubbed the “center of the powerboat universe,” draws thousands annually to its challenging waters and vibrant community. The Shootout, now in its 37th year, combines heart-pounding speed with charitable efforts, raising funds for local causes. This year’s inductees—a versatile entrepreneur, a record-setting racer, a media trailblazer, and an unexpected Top Gun winner—have left indelible marks on the event. Below, we introduce the 2025 class, whose stories reflect the spirit of this iconic gathering.
Slug Hefner: The Speed King
Missouri’s Slug Hefner, a Shootout veteran of over 20 years, has earned his place in the Hall with jaw-dropping performances, most notably piloting his Skater Powerboats 438 catamaran, Dirty Duck, to a historic 200-mph run in 2024—the only non-Mystic boat to break that barrier in the event’s history. Hefner’s earlier triumph came in 2016, driving American Ethanol, a Mystic catamaran, to a 217-mph Top Gun victory alongside throttleman John Cosker.
“To be honest, being a part of the Shootout Hall of Fame is not something I ever really thought about, but it is quite an honor to even be considered,” Hefner said. “For me, it’s just humbling when you get recognized by people who enjoy doing the same things as you.”
Hefner, owner of Hefner Furniture & Appliance in Poplar Bluff, has raced everything from MTIs to Skaters, forging friendships with boaters like Earl Moorman and Don Onken. His Dirty Duck catamarans, powered by 2,000-plus-hp engines from Brummett Marine, are fan favorites. In 2023, his Skater hit 194 mph with driver Myrick Coil and throttleman Rusty Williams, setting the stage for the 2024 milestone.
“Running 217 mph with John in American Ethanol is something that will always stand out,” Hefner said. “And having the Skater break 200 last year was kind of a big deal to me.” He credits engine builder Carson Brummett, whom he calls “the professor,” and anticipates pushing past 210 mph in 2025.
Beyond racing, Hefner supports the Shootout through sponsorships and displaying his boats at the Strip. His passion for speed and camaraderie makes him a fitting Hall of Fame member, joining peers like Cosker and Onken.
Ray Lee: The Media Maverick
Ray Lee, publisher of Speedboat Magazine, has been a tireless advocate for the Shootout since his first visit in 2011, when he joined the team at Speedboat. His immersive coverage, from nightly social events to on-water testing, has amplified the event’s global reach and charitable impact. Lee’s enthusiasm, evident in his annual treks to the Lake of the Ozarks, earned him a surprise induction announcement at the Desert Storm Poker Run in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
“It was a complete surprise when Leah, as well as Myrick and Bob, kind of corralled me at the Desert Storm street party and told me I was going to be part of the Hall of Fame,” Lee said. “At first it hit me like a ton of bricks—I actually had to turn around, walk away and get my bearings straight.”
Lee, who once drove the Jackhammer Super Stock raceboat in a Shootout exhibition, marvels at sharing the Hall with icons like Scism and Cosker. “Never did I think that I’d be considered to be among the ranks of Randy Scism or John Cosker—I used to read about those dudes in the magazines,” he said. “One of the things that I treasure most about the Shootout is the relationships that I’ve made because of it.”
His first impression of the Lake of the Ozarks—“the massiveness of that place” compared to Lake Havasu—still fuels his passion. Lee’s coverage highlights the volunteers, competitors, and board members who sustain the Shootout’s charitable mission, making his induction a nod to media’s vital role.
Justin Wagner: The Multitasking Maestro
Justin Wagner, owner of Waves and Wheels in Camdenton, MO, is a cornerstone of the Shootout’s success, known for his all-encompassing contributions. Since his first taste of the event in 2001, when it was called the Lake Rescue Shootout, Wagner has been hooked. He’s driven boats like his eye-catching Ironman-themed Hustler Powerboats 377 Talon catamaran, organized stereo competitions, and championed the Wishing On A Ride program, which brings joy to children with special needs. His most transformative impact, however, is elevating the Shootout on the Strip, a Wednesday night boat display along Bagnell Dam Boulevard, into a must-attend powerboat street party.
“Everyone knows I take a lot of pride in what the Shootout on the Strip has become, but I love everything about the Shootout because it means so much to this community,” Wagner said. “It really is a hell of an event. I don’t race in it every year, that’s really not my thing, but I have competed in it on my own, with customers and even with my wife in 2011.”
Wagner’s recent acquisition of Doug Wright Powerboats, a brand synonymous with high-performance catamarans, underscores his influence in the industry. Yet, the Hall of Fame nod caught him off guard. “It almost doesn’t seem real to me—getting some sort of honorary award at this community’s most important event?” he remarked, crediting his wife, Cicely, and his Waves and Wheels team. “It makes me feel good to know that people in my community appreciate me enough to include me in something like this.”
Reflecting on his journey, Wagner recalled his early days at Shooters 21, marveling at the “bad-ass boats” on the docks. “Now, fast-forward 25 years, and my company brings many of the lake’s coolest boats to life,” he said. “I feel blessed beyond belief.”
Greg Olson: The Unlikely Top Gun
Greg Olson, a Nebraska native now living in Florida, stunned the Shootout world in 2012 by clinching the overall Top Gun title with a 192-mph run in his Eliminator Boats 33 Daytona, Fatal Attraction. The only non-Mystic catamaran to claim the crown since the event moved to Captain Ron’s in 2008, Olson’s victory came when the dominant My Way Mystic was sidelined by an accident.
“I used to do the Shootout every year just for the fun of it, to try to win our class,” Olson said. “I never expected to be the Top Gun—and the only reason we were was because the My Way Mystic got into an accident and couldn’t make it that year.”
Powered by twin 1,800-hp engines from GT Performance, the carbon-fiber-reinforced Eliminator showcased Olson’s pursuit of speed, built from years of racing smaller boats like a Checkmate V-bottom and a 26’ Eliminator cat. The 2012 win, however, came at a cost: his wife, Michelle, feared for his safety. “Once I saw how much fear it put in her heart, I told myself I don’t need to do this,” he said. “It was a high that I could never duplicate.”
Now semi-retired, Olson enjoys center consoles from Mystic and Nor-Tech but cherishes his Shootout memories. “I’m still in shock about the Hall of Fame,” he said. “It is such an honor.” His induction joins him with racers like Johnny Tomlinson and David Scott, rounding out a class that reflects the Shootout’s diverse legacy.
A Legacy of Excellence
The 2025 Bob Morgan Memorial Hall of Fame class embodies the heart of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout: innovation, speed, community, and storytelling. From Wagner’s street-party transformation to Hefner’s 200-mph milestone, Lee’s media spotlight, and Olson’s improbable triumph, these inductees have enriched an event that draws boaters worldwide. As the Shootout continues to evolve, their contributions ensure its status as a beacon of performance boating, honoring Bob Morgan’s vision and the lake’s enduring allure.