BOSS Set To Open The New Season At Fremont Speedway
4 min read
With mother nature spoiling the originally scheduled season opener, the Rick’s Truck and Equipment – Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series will now kickoff the 2016 season at the historic Fremont Speedway in Fremont, Ohio. Located at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds, the “Track That Action Built” is an iconic venue for sprint car racing and has been the site of the tour opener since 2012. This Saturday, May 7th, will mark the first of 3 scheduled visits for ALL of the Stars of the “last true outlaws” of the BOSS sprint cars. Smith Family Foods night at the races will also include the winged 305 sprints, dirt trucks and the 602 late models. It will also be “future driver night” where many up and coming kart racers will have their machines on display along the midway!
The new season has brought some changes for Ohio’s only traditional sprint car circuit. Most notably is the new title sponsor, Rick’s Trucks and Equipment of Kenton, Ohio. Rick Whitaker and his family are proud to be involved along with their other business, Rick’s Auto Sales. Two new facilities added to the schedule include Attica Raceway Park and Portsmouth Raceway Park, making BOSS the true tour of ALL of Ohio’s ten best dirt tracks. In addition, events at top notch facilities in Indiana and Pennsylvania bring the total to 22 events at 16 different venues.
Equally important to the changes for 2016, it’s what will remain the same that has kept the series growing these last 5 seasons. The Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series has brought significance to the term “outlaw” in the modern age. The overused word has been prostituted for monetary wealth by many organizations, without truly applying its meaning. With the smallest rulebook of any racing series, there is NO tire rule, NO minimum weight rule, and NO memberships or entry fees. All drivers from all regions and associations are invited to take on the real outlaws with no restrictions as to who can race when or where.
The popularity of the approach to the sport is evident in that nineteen (19) drivers have indicated their intention to campaign for the title in 2016. A year ago, 133 different drivers competed in the fourteen races that were able to be completed. With 7 different bonus awards, 2 free tires awarded per night, and heat race bonus money, it all adds up to keep drivers coming back time and again.
“The Guilford Gasser” Shawn Westerfeld of Guilford, Indiana returns to defend his championship. He, Dustin Smith of Russiaville, Indiana and Mike Miller of Wapakoneta, Ohio, all will be in search of history to become the first repeat series champion. However, a host of other drivers with BOSS tours under their belt will be searching for that first title including Cooper Clouse, Michael Fischesser, Aaron Middaugh, Cody Gardner, Chad Wilson, Justin Owen, Bob McMillin, Steve Little, Kirk Jeffries, Brandon Spithaler, Joe Butera, and Kent Wolters. In addition to all these stars, a promising group of rookies have also thrown their hat in the ring including Drew Rader, Andy Feil, Bob Distel and Zach Morrow.
Saturday’s event will be a challenge for the tour regulars though. Fremont Speedway regulars have proven in the past to be up to the task of defending home turf. Stuart Brubaker and Tyler Gunn are two locals with great BOSS runs in the past and both drivers know the home turf well. It is often said that a “dog fights tougher in his own back yard” and the Fremont fans will have some drivers to pull for against the traveling outlaws.
Saturday’s gates will open at 4 pm with the drivers meeting scheduled for 5:30 and engine heat immediately following. Racing action will get under way at 7 pm. Pit passes will be $30. The yellow transponders are required for this event and will be available for rent for $5. Heat races will line up by staggered pill draw and teams will be paid by BOSS checks at the completion of the program.
For fans, general admission is $14 with seniors $12 and students (11-16) admitted for $8. As always, children 10 and under are free at Fremont Speedway! We encourage fans to visit the newly stocked souvenir trailer on the midway where series and drivers shirts will be available along with a wide assortment of die cast cars and more! Brian Paulus’ “Tear off Apparel” has supplied the tour with new shirts and hoodies available in both gray and blue. The new 2016 program / scorecards will be available for just $1 with the “pick ’em” contest back again. Pick the top 3 finishers in order in the BOSS sprint feature and win $25. There will also be several drawings for prizes throughout the night.
For more information, keep up with BOSS on Facebook and Twitter or go to the website at www.buckeyesprints.com For more information on Fremont Speedway, log on to www.fremontohspeedway.com
BOSS Wishes to extend a sincere thanks to the following sponsors for their awards up for grabs:
Heat Race #1 – Buckeye Machine and Fabrication – Forest, OH
Heat Race #2 – Lias Tire / American Racer – Indiana, PA
Heat Race #3 – Hoosier Race Tire – Lakeville, IN
Heat Race #4 – A Plus Automatic Transmission – Mansfield, OH
Hard Charger Award – The Bridge Restaurant – Sidney, OH
Lucky Pill Draw Award – Apple Metal Polishing – Eldorodo, OH
Perseverance Award – Hochstetler Truck & Auto Repair – Ashland, OH
Hard Luck Award – JF Construction – Bucyrus, OH
Sweet Move of the Night – Superior Bearing & Supply – Bradenton, FL
Free Hoosier Tire – Hoosier Tire Midwest – Springfield, IL
Free American Racer Tire – Lias Tire – Indiana, PA
BOSS teams FREE drink cooler supplied by Cowen Truck Line of Perrysville, OH
Also special thanks to the following: Griff’s Engines, NAPA, DMI, Kistler Engines, Superior Tank & Trailer, Tear Off Apparel, and Fast Signs!
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