ST. CLAIR, Mich. — Powerboat racing icon and Lake of the Ozarks favorite Keith Holmes, owner and throttleman for American Ethanol’s Cat Can Do, was killed in a powerboat race last weekend.
The news of the fatal crash came Sunday evening, July 30. Holmes and driver Jamie Sartin were racing another iconic powerboat, Miss Geico, in the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) race, when the two boats collided. Holmes was killed in the crash and SpeedOnTheWater.com reported Sartin was critically injured.
The Cat Can Do Racing Team wrote Sunday evening on its Facebook page, "We ask for your prayers as we wrap our minds around the events of today. Remember all, as we look for peace and comfort. We feel the love of the boating community and your support is appreciated."
From photos of the damaged boats that are circulating social media, it appears the Miss Geico boat collided with the port side of Cat Can Do. The Miss Geico Racing team reported Miss Geico driver Marc Granet and throttleman Scott Begovich were not injured in the crash.
Holmes throttled American Ethanol's Cat Can Do to victory at Lake Race, on Lake of the Ozarks, in early June. Lake Race 2017 was Sartin's first time to drive Cat Can Do in a powerboat race.
Holmes was a two-time Lake Race winner—having won in 2014 and 2017—and always a crowd favorite at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and other local powerboating events.
An unconventional win, but a win nonetheless.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS — You know it’s a great race when the excitement continues for days.
