2017 BOSS Preview

As we move along with our series previews we now move onto the still fairly new Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series.

The series, which began just a little over five years ago, has quickly become a favorite among fans and drivers and stands as one of the last true "outlaw" series. This year BOSS will feature 20 events at 12 different tracks stretching from Indiana across Ohio and into Pennsylvania. The season begins at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio on Saturday, April 22.

Last year the series saw its first ever repeat champion as Shawn Westerfeld collected his second straight BOSS title after edging Cooper Clouse. Westerfeld collected 3 wins and a series high 13 top 10 finishes. However, it is unclear whether Westerfeld will return for the complete season in 2017, the same goes for 2016 series runner-up Cooper Clouse.

Shawn Westerfeld became the first back-to-back series champion in 2016.
PC: Braden Rouse Photography

Looking ahead to serious title contenders in 2017 one cannot look past Justin Owen. Owen tallied 11 top 10 finishes in 2016 on his way to a third place finish in the final standings. He also tallied a win which he picked up at Lernerville Speedway.

Michael Fischesser is also expected to return to the series full time after his fourth place finish in the standings last season.

Michael Fischesser works to the inside of Bill Rose at Millstream Speedway in 2016.
PC: Rick Lane

Rounding out the top five in points last year was Chad Wilson. Wilson finished the season with 7 top 10's but will need to be more consistent in order to mount a title run in 2017.

Others expected to run full time include Cody Gardner, Joe Butera and former series champion Dustin Smith among many others.

Dustin Smith became the first BOSS champion when he took home the title in 2012.
PC: Rick Lane

A number of part-time drivers will most likely also take part in the 2017 BOSS campaign. Last year notable winners that ran with BOSS on a limited basis included Kody Swanson, Chris Windom, Josh Hodges, Shane Cottle and Tyler Courtney. Other notable Indiana sprint car regulars included Dave Darland, Dakota Jackson, Robert Ballou and Thomas Meseraull.

Indiana race fans will get four chances to see the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series in action within state lines. Their first chance will be on Saturday, May 20 when the series visits Lawrenceburg Speedway. The series will return to the Hoosier State in July for a weekend doubleheader at Route 44 Speedway and then Lawrenceburg Speedway the following night. Their final event in Indiana will come on September 9 when they take on Montpelier Motor Speedway.

For more information about the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series visit their website.

2016 Results

1. Shawn Westerfeld
2. Cooper Clouse
3. Justin Owen
4. Michael Fischesser
5. Chad Wilson
6. Cody Gardner
7. Aaron Middaugh
8. Steve Little