Bailey Dominates in ATQMRA Waterford Return

WATERFORD, CT — Joey Bailey dominated en route to a wire-to-wire victory as the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returned to The New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

The afternoon began with heat race victories by Geoffrey Sutton and Bailey, both driving Alan Mollot-owned machines. Sutton won the opening heat, while Bailey captured the second. Sutton subsequently drew the pole for the feature.

At the drop of the green, 2026 ATQMRA Champion Kyle Taraska surged past Sutton to take the lead entering the first turn. However, Bailey wasted little time moving forward, powering from fourth to the top spot by the time the field reached the third turn.

Bailey maintained a commanding advantage throughout much of the 25-lap, non-points event, stretching his lead to more than 2.5 seconds. Taraska mounted a late charge, cutting the margin to just over half a second in the closing stages, but Bailey held on to secure his first ATQMRA feature victory since 2023.

Taraska finished second, followed by NEMA Midget and All Star Pavement Midgets competitor Dylan Coutu, who impressed in his TQ Midget debut at Waterford. Coutu gained several positions en route to a podium finish.

Sutton finished fourth, while Blake Barney rounded out the top five in his Waterford TQ Midget debut. Steve Craig finished sixth, with ATQMRA rookies Anthony Tufano and Jim Tomaino completing the field of running cars.

Joey Payne was credited with a ninth-place finish after engine trouble during qualifying forced him to retire from the event in Dave DiSalvo’s No. 14 Yuhas Chassis.

The ATQMRA extends its appreciation to Dave DiSalvo, Skaket LLC Property Management, and The New London-Waterford Speedbowl for their collaboration in bringing the series back for Fall Finale weekend.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns Saturday, October 10, for Championship Night at Wall Stadium.

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HEAT WINNERS

Heat 1: #51 Geoffrey Sutton

Heat 2: #51M Joey Bailey

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FEATURE RESULTS (25 LAPS)

#51M Joey Bailey

#1B Kyle Taraska

#22 Dylan Coutu

#51 Geoffrey Sutton

#12 Blake Barney

#55 Steve Craig

#59 Anthony Tufano

#19M Jim Tomaino

#14 Joey Payne — DNS

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Lap Award: #22 Dylan Coutu — 13.883 seconds

Jersey Jet Soars into Victory Lane at Wall Stadium

Joey Payne returned to top form in the beautifully prepared #23 Badger in the Phil and Laurie DiMario machine.

Heat race winners were Payne and Geo Sutton.

Racing was action packed from the drop of the green, with pole sitter Payne launching into the lead exiting turn 2 on lap 2 with Jeff Kot and Kyle Taraska side by side for second.

Blake Barney and Geo Sutton were in the mix early both showing they had a fast car.

A self spin, by the #99x would bring out the first caution, racking up the field with Payne and Taraska leading the field back to racing. Barney stone and Joey Bailey would occupy the first five positions.

Payne would take the lead again with Barney and Sutton would get past the Taraska machine. Sutton and Taraska would heat things up in a door to door battle before contact between the two would send the 1b spinning and both cars slowing on the back stretch bringing out the second caution.  

On the restart Payne would continue to hold the point with Barney, Bailey and Tidman looking to take advantage of the reset. 

Payne and Barney would run bumper to bumper with some exciting racing with Barney making a pass going into turn 1. Payne would make the same pass in turn 1 again on Barney to take the lead back. Barney wasn’t leaving Payne out of his sights, while the Bailey and Taraska battle heated up.

Sutton would bring out another caution after making contact with the inside tires.

The next restart would be single file, with Payne continuing to lead. As the laps continued to click by the top 5 cars were all within a car length of each other. Kot would make a pass on Tidman to renter the top 5. Tidman, in the Hentrich Laffler for the first time and Jay Hentrich was in his new #99 car that Tidman and Kot earned victories in at Wall Stadium.

The final caution of the night would comet on lap 24 with Barney clipping the inside tires running second.

With a green, white, checker finish ahead, Payne, Bailey, Taraska and Kot would all look to be the one in victory lane.

Payne would bring the field to the final restart and continue to lead. 

Going into the final corner on the checker lap was action packed, Sutton would overdrive the corner and spin out the Kot machine, leaving Sutton and Kot out of contention. 

Bailey would make a last ditch effort on Payne, but Payne was locked in on the checkers and secured the win. 

Payne, Bailey, Taraska, Tidman and Barney would complete the top five.

Veteran racer Payne, has had a storied racing career in the North East and shows no sign of slowing down. The popular win for Phil and Laurie DiMario, long-time ATQMRA supporters, claimed their first race victory as owners, in the Phil’s Engines Badger. Phil also won as a driver in the ATQMRA at Pinebrook and has over 20 ARDC wins.

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Payne 13.28.

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Heat Race 1
Joey Payne

Heat Race 2
Geo Sutton

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Feature 

1. Joey Payne

2. Joey Bailey

3. Kyle Taraska

4. Ryan Tidman

5. Blake Barney

6. Jason Hentrich

7. Steve Craig

8. Jeff Kot

9. Geo Sutton

10. Jim Tomaino

11. Anthony Payne

12. Tyler Truex

Taraska Takes $767.76 ATQMRA John Blewett III Memorial

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returned to Wall Stadium Speedway for the ATQMRA John Blewett III Memorial, bringing a small but competitive field to the track for 25 laps of close short-track racing.

The evening began with heat race action, where Joey Payne of Brick, NJ, took the victory in the Phil and Laurie DiMario-owned #23 Badger. Geoffrey Sutton of East Stroudsburg, PA, then drew the pole for the 25-lap feature, with championship leader Kyle Taraska starting alongside him on the front row.

When the green flag dropped, the championship contenders immediately went to work. Sutton and Taraska battled hard through the opening corner, with Taraska eventually gaining the advantage and taking control of the race.

From there, the field settled into a fast-paced battle around the tight Wall Stadium oval. While Taraska led the feature from start to finish, the racing behind him remained competitive throughout the 25 laps, with drivers fighting for every position in the seven-car field.

Sutton held on for second, while Joey Payne delivered one of the biggest drives of the night. Starting fifth, Payne gained two positions to finish third and complete the podium. His result capped a strong night for the Payne family, with Anthony Payne also bringing home a top five finish.

Blake Barney, who entered the night riding a two-race winning streak dating back to June, finished fourth, while Anthony Payne completed the top five. Jim Tomanio and Kerry Irwin, making his first ATQMRA start of the season, rounded out the field.

The 25-lap feature was completed in just under six minutes, keeping the focus on the tight competition that has become a hallmark of ATQMRA competition at Wall Stadium.

The event also carried special significance as the series honored the memory and legacy of John Blewett III. Few names have had a greater impact on New Jersey short-track racing. A fierce competitor, talented driver, and respected member of the racing community, Blewett left behind a legacy that continues to inspire drivers and fans throughout the Northeast.

The ATQMRA extends its appreciation to Jimmy Blewett and the entire Blewett family for their continued support and for allowing the series to honor John through this special event.

Kyle Taraska’s victory allowed him to extend his Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA by only 16 points.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, September 5th.

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Barney Collects 2nd Crown Jewel of 2026

Blake Barney won the ATQMRA Lane Memorial Race, Saturday August 8th, at Wall Stadium.

Puling double duty in the sportsman modified and the TQ’s made for a busy schedule, he’s become accustomed to. Blake drew the 3rd starting position after the heat races, with Tyler Ferris and Joey Payne taking the prelim wins.

The ATQMRA and Wall Stadium honored the Lane family during the opening ceremonies. Legendary announcer, Earl Krause, gave an emotional tribute as fans and competitors reflected back on the careers and friendships they cherished with JJ Lane and Ace Lane. Everyone was excited for Tommy Lane’s return to the speedway, continuing the racing photography name. Also in attendance was JJ’s and Tommy’s mom, Michele, who always shows her appreciation for the ATQMRA’s dedication to remembering her family.

After the heartfelt opening for the event, Ferris and Joey Payne brought the talented field of drivers to the green flag. 

Ferris shot out to the early lead with Barney locked in on his bumper. An early caution for the spinning for Jim Tomiano on the backstretch, stacked the field once again for the restart. Ferris and Barney would lead the pack. 

Barney, in the Michael Murray owned machine, would take the lead going into turn 3 and lead the remainder of the event for his second win of the season. Earlier in the season Barney took top honors in the Garden State Classic. 

Runner up Kyle Taraska and Geo Sutton would round out the podium. Joey Payne and Tyler Ferris completed the top 5.

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Taraska 13.19. Please visit https://finishlinebookkeeping.com/ for your Bookkeeping, Payroll Management and Coaching needs.

Next event is August 15, for the John Blewett III Memorial. A $767.76 check will be presented to the winner, courtesy of Jimmy Blewett. 

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Heat Race #1
#7 Tyler Ferris

Heat Race #2
#23 Joey Payne

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Feature

1. #12 Blake Barney

2. #1b Kyle Taraska

3. #51 Geo Sutton

4. #7 Tyler Ferris

5. #23 Joey Payne

6. #99x Jeff Kot

7. #51M Ryan Tidman

8. #14 Anthony Payne

9. #19 Jim Tomaino

10. #2 Mike Glaser

11. #26 Bill Force

Barney Dominates Garden State Classic

The ATQMRA fired up their forth race of the season, with a tight points battle starting to take shape at Wall Stadium.

Times were set from practice with the top 6 redrawing for position. Which put Anthony Payne and Jeff Kot on the front row.

Newly renovated Wall Stadium has had a renewed community interest in racing, with large crowds at each event in 2026. The fans were excited to start the feature events for the night and the ATQMRA did not disappoint.

Blasting off to get racing underway, A. Payne and Kot put on a show challenging for the point. The TQ’s got a little too racey early with multiple dust ups, bringing out the yellow flag with Kyle Taraska and Joey Payne going to the rear of the field.

Racing got back underway with A. Payne leading with pressure from Kot and Blake Barney started his quest to challenge for the lead. Kot and Barney would battle with Barney moving into second place. On lap four, barney would make the move to the lead. Another caution followed as Kot and Taraska tangled, saw both cars going to the rear of the field.

Barney would restart from the point and never look back.

Behind him the racing ramped up with A. Payne holding down second and Geo Sutton moving into the third spot.

Taraska, J. Payne, Kot would all run fast laps to advance to the front and recover from earlier race setbacks to secure top fives and Sutton locking in the fifth position

Sixth place A. Payne led laps and has things going in the right direction. Seventh place was secured by veteran Steve Craig. Eighth place Jim Tomaino, is current Rookie of the Year front runner.

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Taraska 13.21. Please visit https://finishlinebookkeeping.com/ for your Bookkeeping, Payroll Management and Coaching needs.

Next Race is July 18th at Wall Stadium.

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Feature

1. #12 Blake Barney

2. #1b Kyle Taraska

3. #23 Joey Payne

4. #99x Jeff Kot

5. #51 Geo Sutton

6. #14 Anthony Payne

7. #55 Steve Craig

8. #19 Jim Tomaino

9. #26 Bill Force

10. #04 Mark Lawshe