Rookie Dodorico Looks to Leave a Positive Mark

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When Paul Dodorico of Long Island, NY looked to expand his racing resume in the summer of 2017, he looked no further than the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic Tire ATQMRA. Dodorico, a retired detective sergeant, has always had racing in his veins. The former crew member for Tom Baldwin’s legendary #7NY team earned his start behind the wheel running various divisions at Riverhead Raceway before finally settling into the Legends Car division in recent years. 

“I have raced the Legend car all over; Riverhead, Bethel, Chemung, Waterford, Seekonk, the old Riverside Park just to name a few,”explained Dodorico. “I won 3 Legend championships at Bethel Motor speedway and have over 15 wins there. I have 2 Legend wins at Riverhead.”

 While being accomplished in his current discipline of racing, Paul Dodorico looks forward to a new challenge in 2018 as he will be competing for rookie honors in the ATQMRA. Paul became interested in TQ’s this past summer at Wall Stadium, while pitted next to 2017 ATQMRA Series Champion Ryan Tidman and the Boyd Racing team. A friendly networking experience eventually led Dodorico to the doorstep of Colin Martin, owner of Spitfire Racing.

“Colin, along with BJ McDonald, is building me a brand new Spitfire and it is just about finished. The team is doing a great job on the car and this is a very exciting time for me in my racing career.” 

Paul Dodorico has a steep learning curve ahead of him this year, however though the support of his team and family he fully expects to accomplish his goals and compete at a high level in 2018. 

Wings Returning to Wall for the First Time Since 2015

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In conjunction with the staff at Wall Stadium Speedway, NJ, the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA presented by VP Racing will host an organizational test this Saturday, April 7thfrom 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time at the historic Jersey Shore facility. The test is expected to host many ATQMRA competitors, including Tidman, Kot, Sload, Bailey, Taraska and many more as wings will be featured on all ATQMRA vehicles for the first time in three years at the speedway.

The concept of running wings on Wall Stadium’s inner oval has been discussed privately between the ATQMRA board members and speedway officials over the current off-season. The discussion continues to revolve around a stern focus to enhance both the safety and quality of on-track product at the speedway. 

To date, an aero packaged has not been decided on for the upcoming May 26thATQMRA event. However, data from this upcoming organizational test session should give both series and track officials a better picture on whether to race with or without for the 2018 ATQMRA season at Wall Stadium.

Both parties are hopeful to add an additional test on a to be determined date, prior to the Memorial Day weekend event later this spring.

Preseason Testing Continues This Weekend

This weekend, two tracks on the 2018 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA schedule will be open for testing in preparation for the upcoming season.  On March 31st 2018, members of the ATQMRA are invited to shakedown their cars at either Mahoning Valley Speedway in PA or Wall Stadium Speedway in NJ.

At Mahoning Valley, the track will be open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM local time. This will be the final opportunity for ATQMRA competitors to gain track time prior to the season opening event on Saturday, April 21st, 2018.

Track time for rookie competitors (only) will kick off the morning at Wall Stadium with a special track time available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The track will then open to all competitors between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM local time.

Wall Stadium will be hosting a second practice day with the same track schedule on Saturday, April 7th, 2018. 

Hoosier Mid-Atlantic Returns as Title Sponsor; Multi-Year Agreement

Through a relationship that has spanned for over a decade, the ATQMRA has raced Hoosier Racing tires all across the Northeast. The ever growing partnership will continue for 2018 and beyond as the ATQMRA and Hoosier Mid-Atlantic have agreed to a five year extension, granting 

Through the agreement, Hoosier Mid-Atlantic will continue to fund multiple season championship awards throughout the season as well as be the sole supplier of both 10” and 13” racing slicks for the ATQMRA.

The Hoosier Mid Atlantic American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association is set to begin the 2018 season at Mahoning Valley Speedway, PA on Saturday April 21st, 2018. 

Preseason Test and Tune this Weekend at Mahoning

For the first time in 2018, competitors of the ATQMRA will have the opportunity to shake down their cars in preparation for the upcoming season. On both Saturday March 17th and Sunday March 18th, 2018, Mahoning Valley Speedway will be hosting a test and tune session for all divisions. The track will be active both days from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM local time, with the pits opening an hour prior.

Pit passes are only $10 per person and registration is only $25 per car. This will be the first of three weekends to feature test and tune sessions at Mahoning, which will again be hosting all divisions on both Saturday March 24th and Saturday March 31st 2018. Track time and pit pass admission will be consistent for all test days.

All ATQMRA competitors are encouraged to take advantage of this practice time to best prepare for the series season opener at Mahoning Valley on April 21st, 2018. For more information, please visit http://www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com/. 

Joey Bailey to Drive for Iconic Team in 2018

There is no doubt over the past few years Joey Bailey has become a rising star within the ATQMRA. His star-power has recently gotten a little stronger with his announcement regarding his plans for the 2018 season.

Joey Bailey will be piloting the #51B for legendary owner Alan Mollet. The car will be a brand new Yuhas Chassis, built identical to the car driven by 2016 ATQMRA Series Champion Matt Janisch. This combination will surely turn some heads as the season progresses.

“The car is still coming together and it’s going to be a new experience for all of us,” Bailey recently stated. “Alan owned his legendary badger for almost 40 years, so transitions to a brand new car with a new driver will be a different environment for all of us.”

Bailey is extremely excited to work alongside new unofficial teammate Janisch, who is no stranger to success in this series. “It’s a great group of people coming together; I can only see great things happening in the future.”

Joe Bailey will have a strong support system this year with sponsorship backing from Phenomenon Designs and Art’s Radiator.  Bailey continues to seek additional sponsorship as he is committed to racing for a championship in 2018.

ATQMRA Rules Meeting Set for Sunday March 11th, 2018

This Sunday, March 11th 2018, the ATQMRA will host its semi-annual rules meeting to discuss hot topics for the upcoming 2018 racing season. All registered ATQMRA members are encouraged to attend the meeting to participate in an active discussion involving the direction of the club for this season and beyond.

The meeting set for 10:00 AM at the Valley Forge Casino and Resort in King of Prussia, PA. All participants are encouraged to volunteer and bring refreshments for the meeting.

Location address: Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA

High Hopes and Hard Work Ahead for Keller in 2018

When ATQMRA competitor Jon Keller ended his 2017 campaign, he knew there was work to be done in order to seek improvement for 2018. Just like any business, the metrics of a race team can never sit still. Keller being no stranger to this wasted no time at the end of last season.

Keller will be flying new colors this year with his recent purchase of the proven fast #88 Yuhuas Chassis, that Kot was consistently at the top of the speed charts with.  His new mount is powered with a Janisch engine. “The new changes for this year will address us feeling we were underpowered last year, as well as give us the opportunity to run a 13” (wheel) car,” says Keller who feels these changes will be a game changer for him in the new year. Keller also noted that even if the equipment is capable, the driver needs to do his part behind the wheel in order to be competitive in the ATQMRA.

After speaking with Keller, he was also excited to announce that Fine Line Auto Body will return this year as a product sponsor. Not only that, but longtime supporter K&S Vinyl and Graphics will once again be completing the design work on his car. With that being said, Keller continues to actively seek additional sponsorship and support for 2018.

The American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) opens up their 2018 campaign at Mahoning Valley Speedway, PA on Saturday April 21st 2018.

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.