Kyle Taraska and the #22 Personal Comfort, Boyd Speed Shop Team celebrate their 2022 championship; EJ O'Rourke Photo
Matt Janisch celebrates in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane with his #51J Yuhas Chassis owned by Alan Mollot at The New London-Waterford Speedbowl; EJ O'Rouke Photo
Staff Report | Monday, October 17th, 2022
WATERFORD, CT- Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) did everything he had to do to clinch his first career Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels title. Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) made his long awaited return to victory lane by dominating the 25 lap RYNO Triple Crown feature at The New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
The ATQMRA on the grid at The New London-Waterford Speedbowl; Sean Case Photo
Twelve of the ATQMRA’s finest made the long trip to Connecticut to tackle the division’s fastest track for the 2022 championship points finale.
Tyler Ferris (#33 Hamer Heating and Cooling) kicked off what was almost a career day by winning the first heat race of the day. Ferris spent much of the feature battling amongst the podium finishers prior to his engine expiring in the closing laps of the race. Ferris will bounce back and be a strong contender at Turkey Derby XLIX this November.
#33 Tyler Ferris leads the field at "The Speedbowl"; EJ O'Rourke Photo
Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts, Stavola) earned her first career heat race victory at “The Speedbowl” as well in the second qualifier of the day. Like Ferris, bad fortune found the #76 team in the feature when Brianna was involved in a lap one incident sending her upside down, down the backstretch. Thankfully, the safety enhancements put in place by the ATQMRA, including her wing, sent Page on a short slide rather than a tumble. Page would walk away fine from the incident although her car was retired for the remainder of the race.
Under the same caution, Tyler Wagner (#51 Lindblad Badger) experienced a mechanical issue retiring him from the feature prematurely. Wagner showed a lot of promise finishing second in his heat, but another round of bad luck would force Wagner’s hand this weekend.
Feature Winner Matt Janisch (#51J) and Jeff Kot (#95) battle for position; Sean Case Photo
Matt Janisch jumped to the point early in the feature from the third position and would never look back. While Janisch set sail on the field, Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) battled to keep his championship hopes alive while battling (the noted) Ferris and defending ATQMRA champion Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Chassis). Bailey performed double duty between the ATQMRA and NEMA Lites, finishing on the podium in both features.
3 Wide! Tyler Wagner (#51), Mark Yoder (#75), Joey Bailey (#1B); EJ O'Rourke Photo
While many battled, no one had anything for Janisch. With his family in attendance for some extra motivation, Matt Janisch returned to victory lane after leading wire to wire. This was Janisch’s first ATQMRA feature victory since his championship winning 2018 season. The victory also ended a long drought for car owner Alan Mollot, earning his first victory since 2019.
Buddy Sload and Matt Janisch discuss a grueling feature prior to on-track interviews; Sean Case Photo
Buddy Sload and Joey Bailey rounded out the podium. Kyle Taraska finished 4th and Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) earned a solid run in 5th.
Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) finished sixth. Kyle Herve (#24 Herve Motorsports) made his outdoor TQ Midget debut this weekend. Herve did a phenomenal job getting acclimated with his Lafler Chassis and will look to compete for RYNO Rookie of the Year honors in 2023.
#24 Kyle Herve competes in his first career ATQMRA feature; EJ O'Rourke Photo
Tyler Ferris would officially finish 8th.
Avery Stoehr (#23 DiMario Racing) made his ATQMRA debut for ‘22 this weekend putting a top-5 run together prior to oil pressure issues that neglected him to a ninth place finish. It wasn’t all bad for Stoehr, who would clinch the NEMA Midget division championship later in the evening.
Tyler Wagner and Brianna Page would respectively round out the feature field with Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) being credited with 12th place points after experiencing an engine failure in morning practice.
While the race was run, a championship was earned and a dream was realized for Kyle Taraska and the #22 Personal Comfort Team. With Taraska’s 4th place finish, he clinched his first career championship in his second full-time season as a competitor in the ATQMRA.
Over the course of the 2022 season, driver #22 led the ATQMRA with 3 feature points paying victories and averaged a 2.9 finishing position over 11 events. Taraska was one of seven winners across a very competitive season for the division.
Kyle Taraska’s championship season was backed by his Boyd Speed Shop crew. Those members include 2022 Championship Car Owner Russ Bailey, Lenny and Donna Boyd, Frank Vogel, John Cerny, wife Megan, and teammate Joey Bailey.
The #22 team will be formally recognized for their accomplishments at the annual ATQMRA Awards Ceremony this January.
#22 Kyle Taraska races towards his first career ATQMRA Championship; EJ O'Rourke Photo
Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels Champion, Kyle Taraska, will lead a stout field of competition to the prestigious Turkey Derby XLIX on Saturday, November 26th, 2022 for a $500 to win 30 lap feature presented by RYNO Classifieds. Turkey Derby scheduling and general information will be published in the coming weeks.
The ATQMRA thanks all teams, members, sponsors and fans for supporting this storied division after formally completing our 67th championship points season.
RACE RESULTS:
FEATURE (25 LAPS):
1. #51J Matt Janisch
2. #36 Buddy Sload
3. #1B Joey Bailey
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #75 Mark Yoder
6. #95 Jeff Kot
7. #24 Kyle Herve
8. #33 Tyler Ferris
9. #23 Avery Stoehr
10. #51 Tyler Wagner
11. #76 Brianna Page
12. #55 Steve Craig DNS
HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #33 Tyler Ferris
2. #51 Tyler Wagner
3. #51J Matt Janisch
4. #1B Joey Bailey
5. #24 Kyle Herve
6. #75 Mark Yoder
HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #76 Brianna Page
2. #95 Jeff Kot
3. #22 Kyle Taraska
4. #23 Avery Stoehr
5. #36 Buddy Sload
6. #55 Steve Craig DNS
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 8:55.346
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #51J Matt Janisch (25)
Cautions: 2
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #24 Kyle Herve (7th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #51J Matt Janisch 13.877
VP Hard Charger: #24 Kyle Herve (+5)
Next Race: Turkey Derby XLIX at Wall Stadium Speedway, Saturday 11/26/22
*LINK* Feature Race Replay Courtesy of Sid’s View and Speedbowlhistory.com: https://youtu.be/TZvlOhuy5Ws