Monday, October 12th, 2026 | Photography Credit: Tommy Lane
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ — Kyle Taraska of Brick, NJ, was honored as the 2026 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA Champion, fueled by VP Racing Fuels, Saturday night during Championship Night presented by NAPA Van Wickle Auto Supply at Wall Stadium. However, it was Tyler Truex of Manahawkin, NJ, who stole the show, capturing his first career ATQMRA feature victory in just his second career start.
Truex and Taraska opened the afternoon by winning their respective heat races. Truex, piloting the #22 Kindberg-designed chassis out of Boyd Speed Shop, helped the team sweep TQ Midget qualifying. Following the pill redraw, Joey Payne drew the pole in Phil and Laurie DiMario’s #23 Lindblad Badger, with Truex starting second and Taraska fifth.
In the feature, Truex wasted little time taking control, powering around Payne on the outside entering Turn 1 before clearing the veteran down the backstretch.
The first caution of the 30-lap feature came on lap eight when Jeff Kot’s #99 went up in smoke due to overheating. Fortunately, Kot’s engine was saved, and the race resumed.
Tyler Wagner charged through the field in Corigliano Motorsports’ #19, climbing from his 13th-place starting position to fourth following the restart. A former champion in the neighboring East Coast TQ Midget wingless division, Wagner overcame a mid-afternoon engine change to earn Hard Charger honors.
A special mention goes to Wagner’s teammate and girlfriend, Lexi Przybylinski, who made her winged TQ Midget debut on Wall Stadium’s inner oval. Driving the #60, Przybylinski earned a respectable eighth-place finish.
The field was slowed once more in the closing laps when ATQMRA Rookie of the Year Jim Tomaino spun in Turn 2. Driving the #19M for Ed Malik Racing, Tomaino recovered to finish 10th.
The final dash to the checkered flag featured a showdown between Wall Stadium Modified regulars Truex and Blake Barney. Barney, who competed full-time this season for Michael and Tara Murray’s MJ12 Motorsports, finished third in the Modified championship standings. In the end, Truex prevailed, completing a wire-to-wire victory and earning his first career ATQMRA feature win in just his second outdoor TQ Midget start.
Barney, Payne, Wagner, and Taraska rounded out the top five.
Truex also captured the Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time award with a lap of 13.021 seconds. He credited the Boyd Racing Team and his full-time Modified crew for their efforts and support. While the trophy was a highlight, Truex was especially pleased to collect a case of beer after winning a friendly wager with teammate Kyle Taraska. Truex announced the winnings to the near-capacity crowd in during the duel victory lane ceremony.
For Taraska, the evening culminated in a championship celebration as he secured his second ATQMRA championship. In partnership with Wall Stadium, Taraska also earned his first career NASCAR track championship in Division 5.
The ATQMRA points season concluded September 26 following a rainout. Taraska and the Boyd Speed Shop team finished the season with two victories and no finish worse than third, securing the championship by 36 points over Geoffrey Sutton—the equivalent of nine finishing positions on track.
Taraska expressed his appreciation to Donna and Lenny Boyd, who officially earned their seventh ATQMRA owner’s championship, according to the series record book. He also thanked crew members John Cerny and Frank Vogel, along with his wife, Megan, for their support throughout the season.
The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA, fueled by VP Racing Fuels, returns to Wall Stadium on Saturday, November 28, for Turkey Derby 53, officially concluding the 2026 racing season. Rules, schedules, and entry forms will be published at wall-stadium.com this week. For additional information on the premier TQ Midget division, visit ATQMRA.com.
HEAT #1
1. #22 Tyler Truex
2. #12 Blake Barney
3. #23 Joey Payne
4. #55 Steve Craig
5. #67 Jason Hentrich
6. #94 Bruce Leote
HEAT #2
1. #1B Kyle Taraska
2. #99x Jeff Kot
3. #67x Ryan Tidman
4. #26 Bill Force Jr.
5. #60 Lexi Przybylinski
6. #19M Jim Tomaino
7. #19 Tyler Wagner
FEATURE RESULTS
1. #22 Tyler Truex
2. #12 Blake Barney
3. #23 Joey Payne
4. #19 Tyler Wagner
5. #1B Kyle Taraska
6. #67x Ryan Tidman
7. #55 Steve Craig
8. #60 Lexi Przybylinski
9. #94 Bruce Leote
10. #19M Jim Tomaino
11. #26 Bill Force Jr. (DNF)
12. #67 Jason Hentrich (DNF)
13. #99x Jeff Kot (DNF)
FINAL TOP FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. #1B Kyle Taraska — 692 points
2. #51 Geoffrey Sutton — 656 points
3. #12 Blake Barney — 652 points*
4. #23 Joey Payne — 652 points*
5. #99x Jeff Kot — 504 points
Barney wins the tiebreaker over Payne based on feature victories, 2–1.