Kyle Taraska hoists the VP Checkered Flag in Wall Stadium Victory Lane for the third time this season; Sean Case Photo
Staff Report | Monday, August 29th, 2022
Photography Credit: Sean Case & Eric Storch
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) earned his third feature victory of the season this weekend at the prestigious Cliff Krause Memorial at Wall Stadium Speedway.
Fifteen of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuel’s finest supported Wall Stadium Speedway as they honored the man who is often credited for “saving” the facility, Cliff Krause. While Cliff may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on. Wall Stadium continues to thrive to this day thanks to Cliff’s wife Diane and children Emily and Andrew.
A strong crowd on hand during opening ceremonies for the Cliff Krause Memorial on 8/27/22; Sean Case Photo
Cliff’s dream once again came to fruition this weekend as fans packed the facility and strong car counts were seen across all divisions.
Both the speedway and ATQMRA also celebrated the life of long-time victory lane photographer Pat McKee, who passed away last weekend. Many members of the McKee family were in attendance for the event.
Zack Burd leads 14 of his closest friends into turn 3 at Wall Stadium Speedway; Sean Case Photo
Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ ACDT Dog Training) continued his recent momentum as he has been showing consistent competitive speed since the series’ return from the summer break. Zack won the first heat of the evening in dominating fashion and drew lucky number one earning the pole for the 27-lap feature. Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) sliced and diced his way up through the field to win the second heat race of the evening. Sload was considered an “invert driver” based on his Mahoning Valley feature results last week. Sload started 10th on the grid.
At the drop of the green, Burd jumped out to the lead, but the competition stayed tight on his tail. For much of the opening stages, a blanket could be thrown over leader Burd, second place Cole Mullen (#73 Geese Patrol, BGF) and Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts, Stavola, Hamer Heating & Cooling). The tension could be felt throughout the packed grandstand as Burd was on the hunt for his first career Feature victory.
Joey Payne finding grip in the top groove in the #99 Paul Dodorico Racing entry; Sean Case Photo
While the top-3 stayed tight in a pack, a storm was brewing in the “second” pack. Championship points leader Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) led “The Jerzy Jet” Joey Payne (#99 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D) methodically through the field in an effort to chase down the leaders.
Lap after lap and one by one, Taraska picked off positions three, two and one as Payne remained right on his rear bumper. Taraska and Payne battled amongst each other as well as the rest of the competition throughout the race.
Race winning move! Taraska steals the lead from Burd in the closing laps; Eric Storch Photo
On lap 22, driver 22 made his move on leader Burd entering turn 1. Taraska and Burd would drag race nerf bar to nerf bar down the backstretch. Taraska cleared Burd off turn four to take the lead in the closing stages. Payne would clear Burd soon after. While Payne was able to close the gap on Taraska, he ran out of laps as Kyle Taraska went on to win an action-packed ATQMRA Cliff Krause Memorial!
Joey Payne earned second. Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Chassis) made his first ATQMRA start since June this weekend. Bailey gave it a great run for the Boyd Family to be able to round out the podium after starting ninth on the grid.
Joey Bailey and Mark Yoder race hard for position; Eric Storch Photo
Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) had a quiet but strong fourth place finish for Mollot Racing. Zack Burd faded late after leading 21 laps. However, the RYNO Rookie of the Race was able to hang onto a top-5 finish (5th).
After running much of the race within the top-3, Cole Mullen and Brianna Page finished 6th and 7th respectively.
Jeff Kot chasing after Buddy Sload; Sean Case Photo
Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) finished 8th. Last week’s Mahoning Valley winner Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) finished 9th. Tyler Ferris (#33 Hamer Heating and Cooling) recovered from a pre-race grid mechanical issue to finish in 10th.
The remaining feature finishers include Mark Yoder (11th), Steve Craig (12th), Ronnie Mullen (13th), Mike Glaser (14th) and Mike Turton (15th).
A new look for Mike Glaser Aqua Solutions/Gutter Master Lafler Chassis this weekend; Sean Case Photo
Kyle Taraska is the second driver in ATQMRA history to win all three Crown Jewel Wall Stadium Speedway events. Those events being Turkey Derby, the JJ Lane Memorial and this weekend’s Cliff Krause Memorial. The only other driver to accomplish this feat is Buddy Sload.
Checkered flag in the air; Eric Storch Photo
Taraska and Sload will continue their championship duel at Evergreen Raceway Park in Drums, PA on Sunday, September 11th, 2022. Only three Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels championship points races remain this season.
RACE RESULTS:
FEATURE (27 LAPS):
1. #22 Kyle Taraska
2. #99 Joey Payne
3. #1B Joey Bailey
4. #51J Matt Janisch
5. #5z Zack Burd
6. #73 Cole Mullen
7. #76 Brianna Page
8. #36 Buddy Sload
9. #95 Jeff Kot
10. #33 Tyler Ferris
11. #75 Mark Yoder
12. #55 Steve Craig
13. #39 Ronnie Mullen
14. #2 Mike Glaser
15. #723 Mike Turton
HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #5z Zack Burd
2. #99 Joey Payne
3. #73 Cole Mullen
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #76 Brianna Page
6. #55 Steve Craig
7. #2 Mike Glaser
8. #723 Mike Turton
HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #36 Buddy Sload
2. #33 Tyler Ferris
3. #51J Matt Janisch
4. #1B Joey Bailey
5. #95 Jeff Kot
6. #75 Mark Yoder
7. #39 Ronnie Mullen
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 6:45.808
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #5z Zack Burd (21) #22 Kyle Taraska (6)
Cautions: 0
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (5th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #99 Joey Payne 13.232
VP Hard Charger: #1B Joey Bailey (+6)
#22 Kyle Taraska (+6)
Next Race: Evergreen Raceway Park (9/11/22)