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

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