Tyler Wagner and father, Bob, celebrate an emotional moment in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane - Sean Case Photo
Staff Report | Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
Photography Credit: Sean Case, Dino Oberto
LEIGHTON, PA- Tyler Wagner racing Alan Mollot’s #51 Lindblad Badger earned his first career Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels Feature victory at Mahoning Valley Speedway this Sunday.
The weekend was all about Wagner, winning his heat race, drawing the pole, and dominating the feature with great speed in his #51 Badger. Rookie of the Year contender #02 Josh Patterson of East Greenville, PA won the other heat race of the afternoon.
Josh Patterson had a busy weekend performing double duty, racing in wingless TQ midget competition at Bethel Motor Speedway Saturday. Patterson was this Sunday's ATQMRA Rookie of the Race - Sean Case Photo
At the drop of the green flag, as Wagner set pace at the front, many eyes were set on the daring drive of Wagner’s Alan Mollot Racing teammate, #51J Matt Janisch. Janisch, racing his own Yuhas Chassis, started 8th and quickly made his charge to the front.
Within three laps, Janisch passed #22 Kyle Taraska, #55 Steve Craig and #75 Mark Yoder. Taraska would soon follow Janisch through as the pair would chase down defending ATQMRA (2X) champion #36 Buddy Sload, all happening behind leader Wagner.
Patterson would race in second for much of the feature, before falling to fifth just beyond the halfway point. Nonetheless, it was an impressive showing for Patterson after fighting mechanical issues in the pits throughout practice.
Tyler Wagner leads the field to green - Dino Oberto Photo
Janisch picked off Patterson and made one last charge towards Wagner as Sload and Taraska battled for the podium. While Janisch made the impressive drive from 8th to 2nd, Wagner would ultimately hold on, and earn his first career ATQMRA feature victory!
Janisch’s second place showing earned Alan Mollot Racing a 1-2 finish. Buddy Sload ran inside the podium all afternoon to finish 3rd. Sload held off a closing Kyle Taraska, who finished 4th. Taraska had a good showing coming off his spectacular incident in the season opener. Josh Patterson persevered to his first career ATQMRA top-5 finish in 5th.
#51J Matt Janisch picks off #02 Josh Patterson for second. Janisch charged through the field and fell one spot short of the win. -Dino Oberto Photo
There was competitive side by side racing all throughout the pack, as the field averaged well over 90MPH speeds on Mahoning’s treacherous 1/4 mile bullring. While many eyes were focused on the leaders, positions 6th - 11th put on a great show for the fans in attendance and watching live on Racing America TV as well!
A great day of racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway with a very competitive field. The gap from fastest to slowest lap times amongst the field was within half a second. - Sean Case Photo
Jeff Kot was considered a pre-race favorite but got a 6th place finish for Paul Dodorico Racing. Kot battled much of the race with Tyler Ferris in the Hamer Heating and Cooling #7 and #75 Mark Yoder.
Ferris’s #7 would finish 7th in his Mahoning Valley Speedway debut and Yoder finished in 8th. Rookie Chris Coleman also made his Mahoning Valley Speedway debut to finish 9th, and #55 Steve Craig rounded out the top-10. Ryan Tidman rounded out the field in 11th.
A full pit area of winged TQ's at Mahoning Valley Speedway -Dino Oberto Photo
In victory lane, Tyler Wagner thanked his father Bob, girlfriend Lexi and car-owner Alan Mollot (and team) for all their support. Wagner will lead the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, June 1st as the series points leader.
Alan Mollot and Tyler Wagner celebrate in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Wagner adds his name to an elite list, as he is the 24th driver to win in the #51 Linblad Badger. - Dino Oberto Photo
FEATURE (25 LAPS):
1. #51 Tyler Wagner
2. #51J Matt Janisch
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #02 Josh Patterson
6. #99 Jeff Kot
7. #7 Tyler Ferris
8. #75 Mark Yoder
9. #27 Chris Coleman
10. #5z Ryan Tidman
11. #55 Steve Craig
HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #02 Josh Patterson
2. #75 Mark Yoder
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #55 Steve Craig
5. #27 Chris Coleman
6. #5z Ryan Tidman
HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #51 Tyler Wagner
2. #99 Jeff Kot
3. #51J Matt Janisch
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #7 Tyler Ferris
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 4:05.130
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #51 Tyler Wagner (25)
Cautions: 0
Fastest Lap: #51J Matt Janisch (9.450)
Rookie of the Race: #02 Josh Patterson (5th)