Staff Report | Monday, September 26th, 2022
Photography Credit: Eric Storch Photos, Ed Malik Photos
Ryan Tidman crosses the line to take the checkered flag- Eric Storch photo
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- For the first time since 2019, Ryan Tidman ends his drought and returns to victory lane in dominating fashion winning The Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels feature at Wall Stadium Speedway this Saturday. Tidman and Paul Dodorico’s #99 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D, CheckerWon Manufacturing team earned a $500 payday courtesy of RYNO Classifieds in race one of the 2022 “RYNO” Triple Crown!
Long time sponsor of Brianna Page, Stavola Companies, had nearly 500 people in attendance for “Stavola Night,” adding to the near capacity crowd this weekend. Brianna gave the crowd a lot to cheer for all night, but started her evening off the best way possible, winning the opening heat race of the evening. Matt Janisch (#51J, Yuhas Chassis) won an exciting heat two.
While the weather was cool, the action on the track was hot as the stars of the ATQMRA competed under the lights in ideal racing conditions.
2022 Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) led the field to green. Yoder had his hands full early, as Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) made an early charge for the top spot to lead the opening lap. The lead would soon swap into Ryan Tidman’s favor, diving to the lead on the second lap.
Tidman wasn’t able to expand his lead as the caution came out soon after when Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bull Carriers) and Ronnie Mullen (#39 Geese Patrol, Mullen Garage Door Services) cars collided in the fourth turn. While Craig continued, R. Mullen’s evening ended earlier than anticipated.
On the restart, Tidman dropped the hammer and pulled away to a comfortable lead while the racing remained intense throughout the top-10.
Brianna Page (#76 Stavola, A&A Truck Parts, Hamer Heat & Cool) and Jeff Kot put on a thrilling battle for second racing nerf bar to nerf bar for multiple laps. Page eventually edged out Kot and began her quest to hunt down Tidman to earn her second feature victory of the season.
3 wide battle #76 Brianna Page, #2 Buddy Sload, #73 Cole Mullen- Eric Storch
Two drivers entered Wall Stadium with a realistic opportunity to win the ATQMRA Championship. Those being points leader Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) and Buddy Sload (#2 Aqua Solutions). The drama started early when Sload’s #36 Spitfire team experienced a mechanical issue ending the day early for the car, but not the driver. Sload was able to borrow a ride from Mike Glaser’s #2 Lafler team and Buddy made the opportunity worth every bit the price of admission.
With a championship on the line Sload made an incredible save entering turn 1. After making contact on the straightaway that sent his car up the banking, Sload never lifted and not only kept control of the #2 machine, but never lost a position either.
Taraska and Sload both put on a championship style performance, battling hard and clean throughout various stages of the race. Taraska was able to edge Sload out in the closing laps of the feature.
While the racing remained competitive throughout the field, no one was able to match the performance of Ryan Tidman and the Paul Dodorico Racing team as they went onto win the feature. Tidman was the seventh driver to earn an ATQMRA feature victory this season and it was his first since 2019. Ryan also earned the Hoosier Hot Lap of the race with a blistering lap time of 13.026 seconds; nearly two tenths faster than his competition.
Ryan Tidman in Wall Stadium Victory Lane- Ed Malik Photo
Crowd favorite Brianna Page drove a phenomenal race to earn second place finish. Jeff Kot also drove a great race to round out the podium.
Kyle Taraska was this week’s VP Racing Fuel’s Hard Charger after earning a hard fought fourth. Buddy Sload had a remarkable day of racing that ended with a fifth place finish.
#22 Kyle Taraska and #51J Matt Janisch swap positions- Eric Storch Photo
After earning a heat race victory, Matt Janisch fought in and around the top-5 all day to finish 6th.
Tyler Ferris (#33 Hamer Heating and Cooling) experienced a heart break on the grid for the feature. Ferris experienced a leak causing him to return to the pit area prior to the green. Ferris recovered to finish a respectable 7th.
Mark Yoder held on for 8th and Tyler Wagner (#51 Badger) earned a top-10 finish in 9th. Steve Craig recovered from his early race incident to round out the top-10.
Zack Burd, Cole Mullen and Ronnie Mullen respectably rounded out the field of cars.
While it was a tough afternoon for the team, Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet, ACDT) clinched the 2022 RYNO Classifieds ATQMRA Rookie of the Year.
This weekend, Russ Bailey and the #22 Team has also clinched the Owner’s Championship for 2022 as well after the #36 car experienced their mechanical issues.
Kyle Taraska will lead Buddy Sload and the rest of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels field to The New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, October 15th, for the 2022 season championship event.
RACE RESULTS:
25 LAP FEATURE:
1. #99 Ryan Tidman
2. #76 Brianna Page
3. #95 Jeff Kot
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #36 Buddy Sload
6. #51J Matt Janisch
7. #33 Tyler Ferris
8. #75 Mark Yoder
9. #51 Tyler Wagner
10. #55 Steve Craig
11. #5z Zack Burd
12. #73 Cole Mullen
13. #39 Ronnie Mullen
HEAT RACE 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #76 Brianna Page
2. #2 Buddy Sload
3. #75 Mark Yoder
4. #73 Cole Mullen
5. #22 Kyle Taraska
6. #5z Zack Burd
7. #39 Ronnie Mullen
HEAT RACE 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #51J Matt Janisch
2. #99 Ryan Tidman
3. #33 Tyler Ferris
4. #95 Jeff Kot
5. #51 Tyler Wagner
6. #55 Steve Craig
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 10:31.865
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #99 Ryan Tidman (24) #95 Jeff Kot (1)
Cautions: 1
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #51 Tyler Wagner (9th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #99 Ryan Tidman 13.026
VP Hard Charger: #22 Kyle Taraska (+6) #33 Tyler Ferris (+6)
Next Race: The New London-Waterford Speedbowl (10/15/22) *2022 ATQMRA Championship Event*