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

Sutton Repeats at Wall Stadium

📸 Eric Storch

The ATQMRA rolled into Belmar NJ for their third race of the season and welcomed a few new rookies. Mark Lawshe and Jim Tomaino made their first race of the season and will both be competing for Rookie of the Year along with Jason Hentrich who makes his first start of the season June 13th at Wall Stadium.

Practice saw the TQs clicking off feature lap times and would surely be a fast track when race time arrived. Heat races had Kyle Taraska and Tyler Ferris taking the preliminary wins.

The feature event was an extremely fast stacked three rows, Sutton, Kot, Taraska, Barney, J. Payne and Ferris.

Geo Sutton and Jeff Kot would bring the field to the green, with Geo getting the lead out of turn 2. Kyle Taraska and Blake Barney would battle for 3rd wheel to wheel. Payne and Ferris also we running tight for position. Taraska would move in 3rd, with Barney in 4th, J. Payne powered into 5th.

Sutton and Kot would separate themselves while the racing action heated up behind them. Barney and Payne ran most of the race nose to tail putting on a great show. Ferris held down the 6th spot as Steve Craig and Ryan Tidman had a front row seat of the Barney-Payne battle, as they ran 7th and 8th. Jim Tomaino ran 9th, his first time in the #19 machine.

J. Payne would set up a lap 16 pass on Barney entering turn 1 and secure the 4th spot. Sutton and Kot would run laps in the 13.0’s putting on a strong performance. Taraska and Kot raced hard in closing stages with Kot battling overheating issues. In the final laps Sutton extended his lead with Kot and Taraska completing the podium.

Sutton became the first repeat winner in 2026, in only the 3rd event of the season.

J. Payne and Barney would complete the top five.

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Sutton 13.04. A big thank you to Kimee Payne for her continued support of the ATQMRA and generous award each week. Please visit https://finishlinebookkeeping.com/ for your Bookkeeping, Payroll Management and Coaching needs.

The ATQMRA also wants to thank Erica Tidman who handles all the command tent sales activities and keeping the race day running smoothly. 

Next Race is June 13th at Wall Stadium.

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Heat Race #1
#1b Kyle Taraska 

Heat Race #2
#7 Tyler Ferris

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Feature

#51 Geo Sutton

#99x Jeff Kot

#1b Kyle Taraska

#23 Joey Payne

#12 Blake Barney

#7 Tyler Ferris

#55 Steve Craig

#51M Ryan Tidman

#19 Jim Tomaino

#04 Mark Lawshe

Taraska Shines At The Shore

📸 Eric Storch & Ed Malik
A sky full of sun set the stage for a beautiful day of racing at the Jersey shore. If you haven’t attended a race at the remodeled Wall Stadium Speedway, you are missing a great venue.

The ultra fast TQ’s ran their first heat races of the season, after coming off a time trial opener. Winning heat race #1 was Tyler Ferris and heat race #2 was Geo Sutton. The two races had TQ’s laying down fast laps setting up a much anticipated feature event.

Following heats, the redraw put Tyler Ferris on the pole with Taraska outside pole.

A live rendition of the national anthem got the fans fired up with the ATQMRA taking to the track in front of packed stands. 

Ferris was able to jump to the lead of the race leading the first 11 laps, as Taraska would continue to track him and set up a race deciding pass on lap 12. Taraska would go to the inside of Ferris in turn one and pull away from the field.

Behind him had close racing with Ferris, Sutton, Blake Barney, Joey Payne and Jeff Kot. 

Payne and Kot would run nose to tail before Kot overheated. The racing action continued with Ferris and Sutton battling for second position. With the checkers dropping on the caution free event, Taraska would go unchallenged over the final circuits for a dominant win. Ferris and Sutton fought all the way to the stripe, with Ferris edging out Sutton. Barney would bring home the beautifully prepared #12, and closing out the top 5 was Payne with his second top 5 of the season.

Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Taraska, 13.04

Taraska thanked car owners Lenny and Donna Boyd, crew members John, Frank and wife Megan.

Next event is May 30th, 2026 at Wall Stadium Speedway.

Click here to purchase tickets now!

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Heat Race #1

Tyler Ferris

Heat Race #2

Geo Sutton

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Feature 25 Laps

1. Kyle Taraska

2. Tyler Ferris

3. Geo Sutton

4. Blake Barney

5. Joey Payne

6. Steve Craig

7. Jeff Kot

8. Ken Hirt

9. Bill Force

10. Anthony Payne