JPIII Returns for 2018 with a New Ride

If you are a fan of open wheel racing in the northeast, then you are familiar with the last name Payne. That name has been carried on for decades and the tradition will yet again continue this year with Joey Payne III debuting a new chassis in 2018! They say the more things change the more they stay the same, and that could not be further from the truth when discussing Joey’s newly purchased Linblad Badger Chassis.

Badger Chassis and the Payne family go together like peas in a pod, with much of the family’s successes in this division of racing have come while running these particular chassis. When Payne III wanted to get involved with TQ racing years back, he wanted to race a Badger, particularly one owned by Carl Thomas. Late on time and short one luck, Joey unfortunately missed out on the chance to purchase the car he always wanted.

His luck changed this current off season back in November when the fund became available as well as that very badger from over 15 years ago became available. Currently, Joey Payne III is hard at work preparing the “race car of his dreams.” Speaking of luck, he hopes this is a sign of things to come.

After a strong 2016 full-time rookie campaign, 2017 wasn’t as kind to the New Jersey native. “2017 was definitely my bad luck year,” Payne III explained. “I was taken out of almost every race at Wall (Stadium). I found myself frustrated and ready to give up.”

JPIII has clearly not given up and is determined to put together a strong showing this year to rebuild and recreate some of the magic he experienced racing TQ’s in 2016 and in other racing divisions throughout his career.

The American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) Inc. was founded in 1956, giving structure and organization to a group of racing hobbyists who had been racing their “T.Q. Midgets” informally since 1950. The ATQMRA has continued sanctioning outdoor summer races and indoor winter races since its founding, growing to be the best and most name recognizable T.Q. Midget organization in the country. 

The 2018 ATQMRA season begins Saturday, April 21st at Mahoning Valley Speedway, PA.

KYLE TARASKA TO TACKLE FULL WALL STADIUM SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE IN 2018 WITH METZ RACING

This past week, ATQMRA sophomore Kyle Taraska announced his 2018 racing plans via Facebook. Taraska, alongside car owner Blu Metz are set for another stint at Wall Stadium Speedway for the second consecutive year. As a Woodbridge, NJ native, Taraska considers Wall Stadium his home track.

“Being only 30 minutes from my house, Wall Stadium has had such an impact on my childhood growing up and having the privilege to race there means so much to me,” the 24 year old racer stated. “It’s a thrill for me to be able to have so much support at my home track. From a competition standpoint, being able to race at the same track consistently has helped me get a better handle on these TQs and develop the proper race craft needed to compete with the veterans of our club.”

Taraska will be competing under the Metz Driver Development Program banner, an organization he has been associated with since late 2015.

“Blu, Freddy, Greg and all the guys back at the shop have given me a phenomenal opportunity to live my dream to compete competitively as a race car driver; and I hope to make them proud this season.” BGF Engines and Chassis will again be partnered with Metz Racing this year as suppliers of their respected equipment to the team.

Taraska has emphasized more races can and will be added to his schedule with the appropriate funding, as he continues to seek sponsorship for the 2018 season.

The American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) Inc. was founded in 1956, giving structure and organization to a group of racing hobbyists who had been racing their “T.Q. Midgets” informally since 1950. The ATQMRA has continued sanctioning outdoor summer races and indoor winter races since its founding, growing to be the best and most name recognizable T.Q. Midget organization in the country. 

The 2018 ATQMRA season begins Saturday, April 21st at Mahoning Valley Speedway, PA.