It's just amazing.

When I started Cruising the Ozarks back in 2016, I had no idea where is was going to go or what would become of it. I knew the community and car culture needed something that would bring folks together and something that would be organized. Now looking back as CTO is in it's 9th year (I've to stop right there and say, wow...), I'm just amazing by the individuals I've meet, the life long friends I've found and the places CTO has taken me.

Cruising the Ozarks means so much to me. I know it was something that started small with a Car, Coffee & Donuts event at Krispy Kreme in Rogers, then we added some driving events that I took folks on to show and share the Ozarks with. Next thing I know, CTO is giving away scholarships for trade school students, doing private track days at Hallett, swap meets, partnering with local non-profits and more. If it hadn't been for the community CTO wouldn't be what it is today. Somewhere along the way CTO evolved into a 501(c) organization and we ended up officially getting Cruising the Ozarks trademarked.

None of this would have happened without the support of the community and the folks in it. That's why I continued to be amazed. I look back across the pictures of nine years of CTO and I find myself humbled.

So, with that I want to say thank you. Thank you for being part of this drive that I didn't expect to be so amazing. There is more to come and I expect to be amazed even more in the future.

Thanks - Michael Clark