Taraska Claims 2026 ATQMRA Championship; Truex Scores First Career TQ Midget Win

Monday, October 12th, 2026 | Photography Credit: Tommy Lane

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ — Kyle Taraska of Brick, NJ, was honored as the 2026 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA Champion, fueled by VP Racing Fuels, Saturday night during Championship Night presented by NAPA Van Wickle Auto Supply at Wall Stadium. However, it was Tyler Truex of Manahawkin, NJ, who stole the show, capturing his first career ATQMRA feature victory in just his second career start.

Truex and Taraska opened the afternoon by winning their respective heat races. Truex, piloting the #22 Kindberg-designed chassis out of Boyd Speed Shop, helped the team sweep TQ Midget qualifying. Following the pill redraw, Joey Payne drew the pole in Phil and Laurie DiMario’s #23 Lindblad Badger, with Truex starting second and Taraska fifth.

In the feature, Truex wasted little time taking control, powering around Payne on the outside entering Turn 1 before clearing the veteran down the backstretch.

The first caution of the 30-lap feature came on lap eight when Jeff Kot’s #99 went up in smoke due to overheating. Fortunately, Kot’s engine was saved, and the race resumed.

Tyler Wagner charged through the field in Corigliano Motorsports’ #19, climbing from his 13th-place starting position to fourth following the restart. A former champion in the neighboring East Coast TQ Midget wingless division, Wagner overcame a mid-afternoon engine change to earn Hard Charger honors.

A special mention goes to Wagner’s teammate and girlfriend, Lexi Przybylinski, who made her winged TQ Midget debut on Wall Stadium’s inner oval. Driving the #60, Przybylinski earned a respectable eighth-place finish.

The field was slowed once more in the closing laps when ATQMRA Rookie of the Year Jim Tomaino spun in Turn 2. Driving the #19M for Ed Malik Racing, Tomaino recovered to finish 10th.

The final dash to the checkered flag featured a showdown between Wall Stadium Modified regulars Truex and Blake Barney. Barney, who competed full-time this season for Michael and Tara Murray’s MJ12 Motorsports, finished third in the Modified championship standings. In the end, Truex prevailed, completing a wire-to-wire victory and earning his first career ATQMRA feature win in just his second outdoor TQ Midget start.

Barney, Payne, Wagner, and Taraska rounded out the top five.

Truex also captured the Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time award with a lap of 13.021 seconds. He credited the Boyd Racing Team and his full-time Modified crew for their efforts and support. While the trophy was a highlight, Truex was especially pleased to collect a case of beer after winning a friendly wager with teammate Kyle Taraska. Truex announced the winnings to the near-capacity crowd in during the duel victory lane ceremony.

For Taraska, the evening culminated in a championship celebration as he secured his second ATQMRA championship. In partnership with Wall Stadium, Taraska also earned his first career NASCAR track championship in Division 5.

The ATQMRA points season concluded September 26 following a rainout. Taraska and the Boyd Speed Shop team finished the season with two victories and no finish worse than third, securing the championship by 36 points over Geoffrey Sutton—the equivalent of nine finishing positions on track.

Taraska expressed his appreciation to Donna and Lenny Boyd, who officially earned their seventh ATQMRA owner’s championship, according to the series record book. He also thanked crew members John Cerny and Frank Vogel, along with his wife, Megan, for their support throughout the season.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA, fueled by VP Racing Fuels, returns to Wall Stadium on Saturday, November 28, for Turkey Derby 53, officially concluding the 2026 racing season. Rules, schedules, and entry forms will be published at wall-stadium.com this week. For additional information on the premier TQ Midget division, visit ATQMRA.com.

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HEAT #1

    1.    #22 Tyler Truex

    2.    #12 Blake Barney

    3.    #23 Joey Payne

    4.    #55 Steve Craig

    5.    #67 Jason Hentrich

    6.    #94 Bruce Leote

HEAT #2

    1.    #1B Kyle Taraska

    2.    #99x Jeff Kot

    3.    #67x Ryan Tidman

    4.    #26 Bill Force Jr.

    5.    #60 Lexi Przybylinski

    6.    #19M Jim Tomaino

    7.    #19 Tyler Wagner

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FEATURE RESULTS

    1.    #22 Tyler Truex

    2.    #12 Blake Barney

    3.    #23 Joey Payne

    4.    #19 Tyler Wagner

    5.    #1B Kyle Taraska

    6.    #67x Ryan Tidman

    7.    #55 Steve Craig

    8.    #60 Lexi Przybylinski

    9.    #94 Bruce Leote

    10.    #19M Jim Tomaino

    11.    #26 Bill Force Jr. (DNF)

    12.    #67 Jason Hentrich (DNF)

    13.    #99x Jeff Kot (DNF)

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FINAL TOP FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

    1.    #1B Kyle Taraska — 692 points

    2.    #51 Geoffrey Sutton — 656 points

    3.    #12 Blake Barney — 652 points*

    4.    #23 Joey Payne — 652 points*

    5.    #99x Jeff Kot — 504 points

Barney wins the tiebreaker over Payne based on feature victories, 2–1.

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