(Jeff Kot Celebrates in Victory Lane with the VP Racing Fuels Checkered Flag at Mahoning Valley Speedway- Sean Case Photo)

Staff Report | Monday, August 22, 2022

Photo Credit: Sean Case

LEHIGHTON, PA- Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) earned his first feature victory of the season this weekend in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic fueled by VP Racing Fuel’s return to Mahoning Valley Speedway! The ATQMRA competed during the venue’s “Back to School Night” promotion.

The ATQMRA’s annual stop to Mahoning Valley provides a unique experience for the fans in attendance at Mahoning Valley, with average speeds of 100MPH on the 1/4 mile bullring. Many teams took advantage of an early practice during the midday to earn extra track time to dial in their set-ups prior to the evening of racing.

Geoffrey Sutton (#51 Lindblad Badger) returned to the ATQMRA this weekend racing for Alan Mollot and won the first heat race of the evening. It was a Mollot Racing sweep of the early afternoon with Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) winning heat number two. Jeff Kot drew the pole and led the field to green for the 25-lap feature.

The competition was tight and treacherous right out of the gate, with many cars battling three wide throughout the field before settling into position. While many battled for position, Jeff Kot showed no mercy on the field as he pulled away to a big lead.

Heat race winners Janisch and Sutton battled hard for position, racing wheel to wheel with Cole Mullen (#73 BGF, Geese Patrol) who continues to put impressive runs together this year.

(#73 Cole Mullen and #51J Matt Janisch battle for position: Sean Case Photo)

The tight racing throughout the field brought out the sole caution of the evening. Cole Mullen and Geoffrey Sutton rubbed nerf bars in turn two, sending Sutton into the infield. Neither vehicle experienced any damage from the incident, and both teams would go on to finish top-5 in the feature.

("One to go, single file restart" said Race Director Alex Greenzweig- Sean Case Photo)

The caution set up a late race single file restart with just under 10 laps to go. Kot got a great jump out of the box giving him some edge on the field. However, Matt Janisch stayed close to Kot’s bumper through the finish as he tried to reel the #95 car back in, as they gapped themselves from the cars behind! Both Kot and Janisch established themselves as the class of the field early in the race and it continued until the checkered flag was waved. Janisch gave it everything he had, but he was not a match for Jeff Kot in a thrilling finish!

(The "Class" of the field, #95 Jeff Kot holding off #51J Matt Janisch with #36 Buddy Sload in tow in the final laps- Sean Case Photo)

Jeff Kot dominated the race leading wire to wire to earn the feature victory of the season. Kot is the sixth feature winner of the 2022 ATQMRA season.

Kot thanked Hyper Racing, Behrents Performance Warehouse, Tom Frashetta, John Smith, The Case Family (Bill & Sean), Bud Tidman, and “Indoor” Don for all their efforts and support of the #95 Team.

Matt Janisch led the charge for Mollot Racing in second after putting his best run of the season together to-date.

Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) was this week’s VP Hard Charger methodically moving up from 9th to 3rd over the duration of the 25 lap feature. Sload put a great run together as he closed the gap on the championship points lead.

Geoffrey Sutton had a great showing and recovered from his earlier spin, to finish 4th in his return to the ATQMRA. Cole Mullen was a late-entry for the event and made the most of it earning a competitive top-5 finish.

Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) earned a 6th place finish, rounding out the lead lap finishers of the feature.

Previous race winner Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) finished 7th. Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) finished in 8th.

(The newest ATQMRA First-Time Feature Winner Mark Yoder battling "The Veteran" Steve Craig- Sean Case Photo)

Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ ACDT Dog Training) was this week’s RYNO Rookie of the Race finishing in 9th. Chris Pelcher (#44p) rounded out the top-10 finishers after making the long haul from Pittsburgh, PA.

Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts/ Stavola/ Hamer Heating & Cooling) experienced oil pressure issues throughout the afternoon. The Page Racing Team was credited with an 11th place finish.

(The #95 Behrents Performance Machine sits in victory lane after a hard fought victory at Mahoning- Sean Case Photo)

Jeff Kot will look to earn back-to-back feature victories in The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to Wall Stadium Speedway this Saturday, August 27th, 2022. The ATQMRA will take part in a special 27-lap feature to honor the-late Cliff Krause.

In a late breaking story, the ATQMRA recognizes the passing of Wall Stadium Speedway photographer Pat McKee. Pat was another familiar face at the speedway, taking victory lane photos for all teams each weekend. Pat passed away this weekend. He will be missed, and may he rest in peace.

RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE:
1. #95 Jeff Kot
2. #51J Matt Janisch
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #51 Geoffrey Sutton
5. #73 Cole Mullen
6. #22 Kyle Taraska
7. #75 Mark Yoder
8. #55 Steve Craig
9. #5z Zack Burd
10. #44P Chris Pelcher
11. #76 Brianna Page

HEAT 1:
1. #51 Geoffrey Sutton
2. #95 Jeff Kot
3. #22 Kyle Taraska
4. #55 Steve Craig
5. #5z Zack Burd
6. #76 Brianna Page

HEAT 2:
1. #51J Matt Janisch
2. #73 Cole Mullen
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #75 Mark Yoder
5. #44P Chris Pelcher

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 6:07.768
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #95 Jeff Kot (25)
Cautions: 1
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (9th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #95 Jeff Kot (9.392)
VP Hard Charger: #36 Buddy Sload (+6)
Next Race: The Cliff Krause Memorial @ Wall Stadium Speedway (8/27/22)

KOT SCHOOLS THE FIELD IN MAHONING VICTORY