[BOSS Sprints]

BOSS Announces 2017 Touring Stars


Opening day for the Rick's Trucks & Equipment BOSS sprint car tour is just 3 days away. The traditional wingless sprint cars will roll into Brad McCown's historic 3/8 mile - high banked Atomic Speedway Saturday night. For the BOSS teams, this is a trip back to where it all began back in 2011, when the track still went by the "K-C Raceway" name. Justin Grant of Ione, California scored the win that July evening kicking off what is now one of the premiere wingless sprint series in the nation.

From humble beginnings in 2011 and 2012, BOSS has grown steadily every year. The last two seasons it has carried the most full time teams of any sprint car traveling series. It appears 2017 will be no exception as eighteen teams and drivers have "thrown their hat in the ring" and will make a bid for the championship title.

Past champions Dustin Smith of Russiaville, Indiana and Mike Miller of Wapakoneta, Ohio will return in search of joining Shawn Westerfeld as repeat titlists. Smith, known as "The Hustlin Hoosier" will once again be in Lou Gagliardi's Dom's Gulf #77. He was the 2012 champion and one year ago scored the win at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway. Miller will be back in his own car #82 in which he scored the 2014 championship title.

Also returning to the title chase are two of the longest continually running teams on tour. Aaron "Mid Air" Middaugh of Polk, Ohio will return in the Shakely Mechanical #91x. Middaugh remains the only driver to attend every BOSS sanctioned event ever held. Michael Fischesser of Cincinnati, Ohio is back, but some new looks with a new #44 in honor of the late Greg Staab. Known as the "Nati Nightmare", Fischesser was one of the drivers in the inaugural BOSS race at Atomic in 2011. Fischesser will also have alongside, teammate "The Juice" Justin Owen from Harrison, Ohio who will be in his 3rd season of competition with the series.

Another returning star with a long BOSS resume and a new look in 2017 is the "Tall Cool One" Chad Wilson of Toledo, Ohio. Chad will be back in his own car #14. A trio of Pennsylvania drivers will represent the Keystone state. Bob "The Honey Bear" McMillin will be in the McMillin Apiaries #5 out of Wampum. Also from Wampum will be "Machine Gun" Joe Butera who will be back in car #3. Both Wampum drivers will be starting their 4th BOSS tours and fellow PA driver Andy Feil, known as the "New Castle Night Crawler" from New Castle, PA will be in his sophomore season.

Also returning for his 4th season on the tour is Steve Little of Waynesfield, Ohio. Better known as "The Quiet Riot", Little looks to make some noise in car #53. Entering his 3rd full tour of BOSS is "The Monroe Madman" Cody Gardner from Monroe, Ohio. Looking to avenge a terrible start one year ago, Gardner will be back in his own #9, a number in honor of his grandfather - former Lawrenceburg Speedway champion Gus Gardner.

Although they fell off the tour early one year ago, Kirk Jeffries and Riley VanHise will return to full time status. Jeffries of Westerville, Ohio will be in the Make-It-Fit Foundation #59J. The foundation works closely with autism and autism awareness. VanHise, from Covington, Ohio, had his season cut short last year by engine woes. He returns this year with a new Triple X chassis sporting some new colors.

Finally, new to the tour for this year are #21 Carmen Perigo from Stoystown, Pennsylvania, #19 Matt Cooley from Greenville, Ohio, #54 Matt Westfall from Ludlow Falls, Ohio, #87 Paul Dues from Minster, Ohio and #31 Buddy Lowther from Cincinnati, Ohio. Based on years of experience and number of BOSS events run, only Dues and Cooley will be eligible for the 2017 Superior Bearing "Rookie of the Year" award. Westfall already has a BOSS win on his resume at Waynesfield Raceway Park and Perigo came very close to winning at Lernerville Speedway just last summer.

The Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series would not be possible without the help of the many fine sponsors listed below. Please take a moment to thank them. Their contributions are what helps keep all these wheels turning each and every Saturday night!

Title Sponsor:
Rick's Trucks & Eqipment ; Kenton, Ohio

Heat race pay is provided by the following sponsors:
Heat #1: DRC Chassis of Indianapolis, IN
Heat #2: Lias Tire / American Racer
Heat #3: Hoosier Race Tires
Heat #4: TCB Speed

Bonus Awards Provided by the following sponsors:
Hard Charger Award $50 - The Bridge Restaurant ; Sidney, Ohio
Hard Luck Award $50 - J F Construction ; Bucyrus, Ohio
Steel Block Award $50 - Cowen Truck Lines ; Perrysville, Ohio
Perseverance Award $50 - All Pro Cylinder Heads ; Johnstown, Ohio
Lucky Pill Draw Award $50 - Apple Metal Polishing ; Eldorodo, Ohio
Sweet Move of the race $25 - McMillin Apiaries ; Wampum, Pennsylvania

Special thanks to additional sponsors who help provide the top 15 points teams tow money which include:
The Blue Room Restaurant ; Kirby, Ohio
Cooley Cabinets ; Greenville, Ohio
Griff's Racing Engines ; Sandusky, Ohio
FAST Signs ; Dayton, Ohio
Southeast Harley Davidson ; Cleveland, Ohio
Superior Bearing & Supply ; Bradenton, Florida