Ryan Tidman celebrates in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane at Wall Stadium Speedway on The Garden State Classic Night -Eric Storch Photo
STAFF REPORT | Monday, July 1st, 2024
Photography Credit: Kristen Cocca, Eric Storch
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Ryan Tidman, won his first feature of the 2024 season this weekend, kicking off the summer at the shore, for the Hoosier Tire Mid ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels.
The Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout at Wall Stadium Speedway hosted its third event of the ATQMRA season this weekend, and the tour’s fifth race overall for the year.
Heat race winners Tyler Wagner (#51 Linblad Badger) and Ryan Tidman (#99 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D, CheckerWon Manufacturing) initiated the evening of racing in front of a large crowd, in the Wall Stadium Speedway grandstand. Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) started the 25-lap feature from the pole.
Steve Craig leads the field down to the green for the first heat race. Craig also started the feature from the pole - Kristen Cocca Photo
As has been the story of late, Ryan Tidman and Paul Dodorico Racing entered the event with a fully equipped rocket ship, and Tidman drove a perfect race from the outside pole starting position. Tidman powered to the lead while exiting the second turn on the opening lap and never looked back.
While Tidman put consecutive fast laps together at the front, strong battles continued throughout the field.
Kyle Taraska charged from 6th to 2nd in Saturday's feature, and battled Tyler Wagner for position here. - Kristen Cocca Photo
The evening’s hard charger was Kyle Taraska (#22 Boyd Speed Shop), who put on another phenomenal drive, from sixth to second, throughout the first half of the feature event. Taraska, who went on to finish second to Tidman, when the checkered flag flew, battled with Zack Burd (#5z AC/DT Dog Training, Burlington Chevrolet) to earn the spot.
Burd, who held on to finish third, drove a remarkable race himself, as his group continued to enhance their Burd Racing Team program. Burd will look to carry his momentum, to string together another strong run at Wall Stadium, when the tour returns on July 13th.
Zack Burd rounded out the podium this weekend, his best finish of the year - Kristen Cocca Photo
Tyler Wagner and Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) battled intently throughout the feature for the fourth and fifth finishing positions. Wagner, who entered the race two positions behind championship leader Buddy Sload, earned enough points to be tied for the points lead, entering the next event. Wagner was also able to regain control of the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout Wall Stadium championship as well.
Tyler Wagner finished 4th, battling Steve Craig here, to stay strong in his championship fight. - Eric Storch Photo
Yoder put together another great race carrying his momentum from his win at Evergreen Raceway two weeks prior.
While the ATQMRA feature was relatively straight forward, the drama of the day occurred before the grandstand gates opened. Championship implications were on the line when Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis), experienced an engine failure, in the second round of practice. The Coleman Racing Team graciously allowed Sload to enter the feature with their #27 TQ Midget, to keep Buddy in the championship fight. Sload was able to overcome the early afternoon adversity and earn a sixth-place finish.
Buddy Sload had an eventful afternoon, finishing sixth in the Coleman Racing #27 - Kristen Cocca Photo
Kyle Herve (#24 Herve Motorsports) fought brake issues for much of the day, ultimately resulting in a seventh-place feature finish. Steve Craig spent much of the evening running in the top-5 prior to a mechanical issue in the closing stages. Craig finished 8th.
Billy Cole (#0 Cole Motorsports) continues to learn more about his new TQ with every lap. Unfortunately, Cole was forced to pull off early after a timing and scoring issue in the early stages.
Short Track Super Series Champion Joe Toth (#711 Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck), attempted to make this weekend’s feature as well. Unfortunately, like Sload, Toth also experienced an engine failure during practice rounds. The ATQMRA is excited to welcome the Toth Racing Team back in the future!
Ryan Tidman captures the checkered flag in front of a great crowd at Wall Stadium Speedway - Kristen Cocca Photo
Ryan Tidman is the fifth unique winner through five feature events, in the Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels this season. Paul Dodorico Racing is the first team to win multiple races this year, after winning the opening round of the season with driver Jeff Kot. Tidman and Kot have teamed up for multiple wins in the 99 and the 99X for PDR, as the team continues to lead the ATQMRA in wins over the past two seasons.
The ATQMRA returns to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, July 13th, 2024! We wish our fans and competitors a safe and happy Independence Day weekend!
FEATURE RESULTS (25 LAPS):
1. #99 Ryan Tidman
2. #22 Kyle Taraska
3. #5z Zack Burd
4. #51 Tyler Wagner
5. #75 Mark Yoder
6. #27 Buddy Sload
7. #24 Kyle Herve
8. #55 Steve Craig
9. #0 Billy Cole
10. #711 Joe Toth - DNS
HEAT RACE 1 RESULTS (8 LAPS):
1. #51 Tyler Wagner
2. #55 Steve Craig
3. #5z Zack Burd
4. #27 Buddy Sload
HEAT RACE 2 RESULTS (8 LAPS):
1. #99 Ryan Tidman
2. #22 Kyle Taraska
3. #75 Mark Yoder
4. #24 Kyle Herve
FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 5:34.791
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #99 Ryan Tidman (25)
Cautions: 0
Fastest Lap: #99 Ryan Tidman (13.158)
Hard Charger: #22 Kyle Taraska (+4)
Rookie of the Race: #0 Billy Cole (9th)