Jeff Kot in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane with the Wall Stadium Speedway "Hype Girls"; Eric Storch Photo
Staff Report | Monday, August 28th, 2023
Photography Credit: Eric Storch, Scott Racz, Brien Hamer, Ed Malik
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Jeff Kot earned his second feature victory of the season and his first career win under the Paul Dodorico Racing banner at Wall Stadium Speedway this weekend. Kot recovered from an early race incident and came from last to first to score the victory.
This weekend’s event was the sixth race of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels season, and the fifth race of the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout at Wall Stadium Speedway.
The field of TQ's coming to the green flag; Eric Storch Photo
Jeff Kot (#99 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D, CheckerWon Manufacturing, Behrents Performance Warehouse) set the stage early for a dominating day after earning the victory in the first heat race of the evening. Cole Mullen (#73 Tom’s River Heating and Cooling) earned the second heat race victory of the evening.
Cole Mullen put together a great day of racing highlighted by his heat race win; Ed Malik Photo
Unfortunately, C. Mullen’s good fortune did not last as he was spun by Kyle Herve (#24 CARS Auto Body) in the first turn of the second lap. Both drivers recovered to finish the feature after the incidental contact.
On the restart, an anomaly of an event happened as Jeff Kot’s car lost power at speed exiting the 4th corner and the leaders scattered to avoid. Kot’s car regained power just past the start finish line and the field came back together again in the first corner.
A big wreck in turn 1 in the opening stages of the feature, all drivers continued from the incident; Scott Racz Photo
Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) attempted to complete the pass underneath Kot and made contact with his left rear tire on corner entry. The first corner became a calamity corner as the contact between Taraska and Kot caused issues for Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) and Ronnie Mullen (#39 Mullen Garage Door Services). After an extended caution period, all cars involved returned to the pit area and made repairs and continued in the race.
At the time of the caution, it appeared the stage was set for Tyler Ferris (#7 Hamer Heating and Cooling). As noted in previous releases, Ferris has been knocking on the door of his first career win in recent weeks.
Buddy Sload and Tyler Ferris dueled for the lead for much of the first half of the feature; Eric Storch Photo
Ferris had to hold off and duel series championship leader Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) on the ensuing restart, and did so with confidence. Ferris pulled away from Sload and the field under green.
The race appeared to belong to Ferris until a lap 10 incident between rookie Chris Coleman and veteran Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) in turn 4. Like the prior race incidents, although frustrations boiled, all drivers continued to finish the feature.
Ferris led Sload back down to the green on the restart, setting up a 15 lap green flag shootout to the finish. Throughout all the excitement, Kot worked his way back up to the leaders in third.
Just past the halfway point, Kot made his move on Ferris to regain the lead and he never looked back.
Kot went from first, to last, to first in a span of a dozen laps to earn his second feature victory of the season in thrilling fashion.
Jeff Kot crosses the start finish line to win his second feature of the season; Eric Storch Photo
Tyler Ferris earned a career high second place finish after leading 10 laps in the feature. Ferris now moves up to second in standings of the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout and is tied for second in overall championship standings.
Tyler Ferris was one the top-3 finishers to clear post-race inspection after Saturday's feature; Brien Hamer Photo
Buddy Sload remained clean and consistent and put together a third place finish after starting eighth. Sload has not finished outside the top-5 this season.
After an eventful evening, Kyle Taraska recovered for a fourth place feature finish and Mark Yoder rounded out the top-5 of feature finishers.
Cole Mullen was another driver to have a strong recovery after his early race incident to finish sixth and Kyle Herve finished seventh. Herve was this week’s RYNO (RYNO.co/tour) Rookie of the Race and extends his Rookie of the Year points lead.
Chris Coleman, Mike Glaser, Steve Craig and Ronnie Mullen rounded out the field of drivers. Mullen ran double duty as he returned to the Wall Stadium Speedway’s Factory Stock division after a long hiatus this weekend.
The Paul Dodorico Racing Team celebrates in Victory Lane at Wall Stadium Speedway; Brien Hamer Photo
Paul Dodorico Racing continues to dominate the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels at Wall Stadium Speedway. In 2023, the team has won three features with two unique chassis, and two unique drivers- Ryan Tidman and Jeff Kot.
In victory lane, Jeff Kot gave an emotional shoutout to crew chief Bill Case, who continues to recover in rehabilitation from a brain trauma injury. Kot also gave recognition to Paul Dodorico for the opportunity to race his car and long-time crew member “Indoor” Don.
Jeff Kot celebrates in Wall Stadium Victory Lane; Brien Hamer Photo
The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels will enjoy the Labor Day weekend with friends and family, before returning for a special double header weekend.
The ATQMRA will make its final stop in Pennsylvania in 2023 at Mahoning Valley Speedway on Saturday, September 9th and Evergreen Raceway on Sunday, September 10th.
RACE RESULTS:
FEATURE- 25 LAPS
1. #99 JEFF KOT
2. #7 Tyler Ferris
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #75 Mark Yoder
6. #73 Cole Mullen
7. #24 Kyle Herve
8. #00 Chris Coleman
9. #2 Mike Glaser
10. #55 Steve Craig
11. #39 Ronnie Mullen
HEAT 1- 8 LAPS
1. #99 JEFF KOT
2. #24 Kyle Herve
3. #7 Tyler Ferris
4. #75 Mark Yoder
5. #36 Buddy Sload
6. #2 Mike Glaser
HEAT 2- 8 LAPS
1. #73 COLE MULLEN
2. #55 Steve Craig
3. #39 Ronnie Mullen
4. #00 Chris Coleman
5. #22 Kyle Taraska
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 18:07.441
Leader: 2
Hoosier Lap Leader: #99 Jeff Kot (13), #7 Tyler Ferris (12)
Cautions: 3
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #24 Kyle Herve (7th)
Hamer Heating Hot Lap: #99 Jeff Kot (13.135)
VP Hard Charger: #22 Kyle Taraska (+6)