Photo Credits: 📸 Eric Storch, Kristen Cocca, Scott Racz
The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Series fueled by VP honored Cliff Krause on Saturday night, August 16th, with a special 27-lap feature event at Wall Stadium Speedway.
The night opened with two $100-to-win Aqua Solutions Heat Races, claimed by (#12) Blake Barney and (#95) Jeff Kot.
Before the feature, the TQs paid tribute to Cliff Krause with a solemn missing man formation during the parade lap.
When the green flag flew, Jeff Kot (#95) surged from the pole to take the early lead, holding off #55 Steve Craig. Behind him, Blake Barney (#12) and Anthony Payne (#51) battled side by side, when (#99) Ryan Tidman boldly went three-wide before wisely backing out.
By lap 5, Tidman found room to the inside of Payne and powered past Kot for the top spot coming out of turn four. From there, Tidman never looked back, fending off steady pressure from Payne, who held strong in second.
The fight for third through fifth was intense, featuring Barney, Kot, and (#7) Tyler Ferris trading spots. Barney also set the Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award with a 13.149-second lap.
The No Caution Bonus went to Buddy Sload (#36), marking the fourth consecutive caution-free race. The $540 Lap Leader money went to Kot and Tidman. Sload charged into the top five late, finishing fifth, followed by Barney in sixth and Craig in seventh. Making the long trip from Connecticut were (#94) Bruce Leote, in his first start of the season, and (#22) Dave DiSalvo. From New York, (#27) Chris Coleman, a past Wall Stadium winner, also joined the field.
Tidman’s victory marked his third straight win this season, adding to an already dominant run. In victory lane, he thanked car owner and crew chief Paul Dodorico, as well as the Krause family for their continued support of the ATQMRA.
The winning #99 of Tidman passed post-race technical inspection.
The series heads back to Wall Stadium Speedway on August 23, for Pirate Night & Bike Night.
Aqua Solutions Heat Race #1
1. Blake Barney
Aqua Solutions Heat Race #2
1. Jeff Kot
FEATURE:
1. #99 Ryan Tidman
2. #51 Anthony Payne
3. #7 Tyler Ferris
4. #95 Jeff Kot
5. #36 Buddy Sload
6. #12 Blake Barney
7. #55 Steve Craig
8.#94 Bruce Leote
9. #22 Dave DiSalvo
10. #0 Billy Cole
11. #27 Chris Coleman
12. #23 Avery Stoehr (DNS)
Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award
#12 Blake Barney 13.149