📸 Eric Storch
The ATQMRA rolled into Belmar NJ for their third race of the season and welcomed a few new rookies. Mark Lawshe and Jim Tomaino made their first race of the season and will both be competing for Rookie of the Year along with Jason Hentrich who makes his first start of the season June 13th at Wall Stadium.
Practice saw the TQs clicking off feature lap times and would surely be a fast track when race time arrived. Heat races had Kyle Taraska and Tyler Ferris taking the preliminary wins.
The feature event was an extremely fast stacked three rows, Sutton, Kot, Taraska, Barney, J. Payne and Ferris.
Geo Sutton and Jeff Kot would bring the field to the green, with Geo getting the lead out of turn 2. Kyle Taraska and Blake Barney would battle for 3rd wheel to wheel. Payne and Ferris also we running tight for position. Taraska would move in 3rd, with Barney in 4th, J. Payne powered into 5th.
Sutton and Kot would separate themselves while the racing action heated up behind them. Barney and Payne ran most of the race nose to tail putting on a great show. Ferris held down the 6th spot as Steve Craig and Ryan Tidman had a front row seat of the Barney-Payne battle, as they ran 7th and 8th. Jim Tomaino ran 9th, his first time in the #19 machine.
J. Payne would set up a lap 16 pass on Barney entering turn 1 and secure the 4th spot. Sutton and Kot would run laps in the 13.0’s putting on a strong performance. Taraska and Kot raced hard in closing stages with Kot battling overheating issues. In the final laps Sutton extended his lead with Kot and Taraska completing the podium.
Sutton became the first repeat winner in 2026, in only the 3rd event of the season.
J. Payne and Barney would complete the top five.
Finish Line Bookkeeping Fast Time Award went to Sutton 13.04. A big thank you to Kimee Payne for her continued support of the ATQMRA and generous award each week. Please visit https://finishlinebookkeeping.com/ for your Bookkeeping, Payroll Management and Coaching needs.
The ATQMRA also wants to thank Erica Tidman who handles all the command tent sales activities and keeping the race day running smoothly.
Next Race is June 13th at Wall Stadium.
Heat Race #1
#1b Kyle Taraska
Heat Race #2
#7 Tyler Ferris
Feature
#51 Geo Sutton
#99x Jeff Kot
#1b Kyle Taraska
#23 Joey Payne
#12 Blake Barney
#7 Tyler Ferris
#55 Steve Craig
#51M Ryan Tidman
#19 Jim Tomaino
#04 Mark Lawshe