Bailey Wins a Thriller in Bethel; Janisch Crowned 2018 Champion

Saturday, November 3rd, 2018

BETHEL, NY – Joey Bailey earned his fifth Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel feature victory of 2018 this weekend in the season points finale at the Bethel Motor Speedway. However, his victory would not be enough to make up his championship points deficit, ultimately crowning Matt Janisch at the 2018 ATQMRA champion.

Seventeen cars were on hand to close out the “regular season” of the 2018 ATQMRA campaign. Weather played a role in the weekend schedule, as speedway officials battled overnight rain and morning showers leading up the event. Bethel Motor Speedway did a phenomenal job prepping the track and pit area to allow a full schedule of events to be ran and completed.

Buddy Sload won a relatively calm first heat race, leading wire to wire earning him the pole position for the 30-lap feature. Matt Janisch went on to win the second heat of the afternoon, setting the tone early that it would be a force to be reckoned with in the championship race. 

The second heat race featured the only incident of the day, as the father and son duo of Ronnie and Cole Mullen made contact in turns 3 and 4. Cole, overshooting the third corner entry made contact with his father Ronnie. There was no damage to either vehicle and both would continue on to finish the heat and feature races.

Entering the event, the hype was set on the championship battle. Matt Janisch entered the event as the leader, 16 points ahead of Joey Bailey and 24 points ahead of Ryan Tidman. With the three drivers separated by only 6 on track positions, all three had a mathematical chance to earn the championship. 

From the pole, Buddy Sload and his Spitfire Chassis blasted off like a rocket, setting the pace for much of the first half of the event. As Sload led, many eyes were on the second place battle featuring Janisch and Bailey respectively, with championship implications on the line. As the leaders bobbed and weaved through lapped traffic, a thrilling 3-car battle for the lead went on for multiple laps, bringing the crowd to their feet. Bailey took advantage of the lapped traffic, and positioned himself to make a late race charge for the lead. Bailey not only passed one, but two cars being both Jansich and Sload on the outside to eventually earn the lead.

Joey Bailey would go on to earn his fifth feature victory of the season. Bailey ended an impressive championship charge, winning three of the remaining four races on the calendar. However, the consistency of Matt Janisch was too much for Bailey to overcome, earning Matt Janisch his third championship in ATQMRA. Entering Bethel, Janisch had to finish fourth or better to clinch the championship, regardless of how his competitors finished. 

Officially Matt Janisch is the 2018 Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel Drivers Champion, edging Joey Bailey by 8 points. After earning a fifth place finish, Ryan Tidman officially rounded out the championship podium falling 32 points short behind champion Janisch. 

The “Jerzy Jet,” Joey Payne ended his 2018 campaign strong with a fourth place finish. Richie Davidowitz continues to impress earning a strong 6thplace finish in his second start of 2018 in the #25 machine. Jeff Kot, Mark Yoder, Cole Mullen and Tommy Catalano would round out the top 10 finishing positions respectfully. Catalano, who earned the 2018 NASCAR Wheelen Modified Rookie of the Year Award made a respectful ATQMRA debut, leading the charge of the New York “invaders” Saturday afternoon. Other drivers to make their 2018 ATQMRA debuts included long-time veteran BJ MacDonald, 2014 ATQMRA Rookie of the Year Geo Sutton, and New York invader Kevin Wilson. 

The 2018 Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA season will officially close with the 45thAnnual running of the Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway. This will be a 30-lap, non-points event that will feature a winged aero-package for the first time in event history since the inception of Wall Stadium’s inner oval. 

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Race Results

Heat 1:

1.    #36 Buddy Sload

2.    #51B Joey Bailey

3.    #1B Ryan Tidman

4.    #51 Joey Payne

5.    #75 Mark Yoder

6.    #25 Richie Davidowitz

7.    #42 Geo Sutton

8.     #55 Steve Craig 

Heat 2:

1.    #48 Matt Janisch

2.    #17 Jeff Kot

3.    #73X Cole Mullen

4.    #5 Tommy Catalano

5.    #29 Cameron Ruggiero 

6.    #39 Ronnie Mullen

7.    #14 Kevin Wilson

8.    #28 BJ MacDonald

9.     #23 Avery Stoehr

Feature:

1.    #51B Joey Bailey

2.    #36 Buddy Sload

3.    #48 Matt Janisch

4.    #51 Joey Payne

5.    #1B Ryan Tidman

6.    #25 Richie Davidowtiz

7.    #17 Jeff Kot

8.    #75 Mark Yoder

9.    #73 Cole Mullen

10.  #5 Tommy Catalano

11.  #39 Ronnie Mullen

12.  #55 Steve Craig

13.  #28 BJ MacDonald

14.  #23 Avery Stoehr

15.  #29 Cameron Ruggiero

16.  #14 Kevin Wilson

17.  #42 Geo Sutton

Joey Bailey Victorious in The Greg Hodnett Memorial

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Joey Bailey in Victory Lane at Waterford.

Waterford, CT- For the fourth time this season, Joey Bailey earned an ATQMRA feature victory, winning The Greg Hodnett Memorial at The New London - Waterford Speedbowl. 

There is always excitement in the air when the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel visits Waterford, CT. Over the past few seasons, the series has become a fan-favorite and the drivers did not disappoint Saturday night. Buddy Sload started on the outside pole leading much of the first half of race. While setting the fastest lap of the evening, many believed Saturday would be his night yet again. Unfortunately, the defending ATQMRA Waterford winner (May, 2018) experienced a mechanical failure which would derail his efforts with sixteen laps remaining in the race. 

This caution provided the opportunity for an intense, wheel to wheel battle by respective championship leaders Matt Janisch, Joey Bailey, and Ryan Tidman in the closing laps of the 27-lap feature. With huge championship implications on the line, it was no secret these drivers would put on a show.

Ryan Tidman led the charge for much of the second half of the race, with Janisch and Bailey keeping him honest as the high speed battle thundered around the 3/8 mile Speedbowl. Bailey, who not only out-dueled points leader Janisch, but Tidman as well, passed Tidman for the lead off of the fourth corner with a handful of laps remaining. Bailey never looked back, adding another trophy to his collection winning a series high forth feature. With this victory, Joey Bailey has closed the points gap to four on-track positions, heading into the series’ championship event in Bethel, NY on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018.

Anthony Payne finished a very impressive forth, in his second start of 2018. Jeff Kot finished fifth, rounding out the top five of the fifteen car field.

The evening’s heat races were won by Buddy Sload and Cole Mullen. As mentioned, Sload would experience a mechanical issue in the feature, which resulted in a thirteenth place finish. Cole Mullen went on to finish a respectable sixth. 

Richie Davidowitz made a strong team debut finishing seventh. A special shoutout to New York racers Cameron Ruggiero, Chad Heywood and Jim Fleischman, who all made their 2018 Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA debuts this weekend.

With great appreciation, we recognize Jeff Kot, who elected to sponsor this weekend’s event in honor of the late Greg Hodnett. On behalf of Kot and the ATQMRA, a portion of race day earnings and as well as the 50/50 raffle will be donated to the Hodnett family to assist them in their time of need.

The Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA will conclude their 2018 campaign at Bethel Motor Speedway, on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018. The stage is set for a fierce championship battle, which will surely come down to the closing laps of the event.

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Feature Results 

1. #51B Joey Bailey

2. #1B Ryan Tidman

3. #48 Matt Janisch 

4. #12 Anthony Payne

5. #17 Jeff Kot

6. #73x Cole Mullen

7. #25 Richie Davidowitz

8. #51 Joey Payne

9. #23 Avery Stoehr

10. #29 Cameron Ruggiero

11. #42 Chad Heywood

12. #5 Jim Fleischman

13. #36 Buddy Sload

14. #16 Kyle Taraska

15. #39 Ronnie Mullen
    

Kyle Taraska Claims First Career ATQMRA Victory at Wall Stadium

For the fourth time this season, the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel raced at the historic Wall Stadium Speedway. Entering the event, the focus was set on Matt Janisch, Ryan Tidman, and Joey Bailey, who were all separated by 28 points prior to the drop of the green flag.

The pit area at Wall Stadium was in a rather somber mood Saturday morning due to the passing of 410 Sprint Car racer Greg Hodnett this past Thursday in Pennsylvania. To honor Greg and his family, all ATQMRA competitors sported silver and yellow ribbons on their cars. Furthermore, a “missing man” formation was performed during the pace laps, leaving the pole position empty and the feature was extended to 27 laps honoring the number Greg made famous over his career.

Mark Yoder started his evening off strong, by winning the first heat race of the evening. Kyle Taraska won the second heat of the night. Both drivers would start on the front row respectively due to their heat victories and handicapping.

At the drop of the green flag, Kyle Taraska powered by pole sitter Mark Yoder on the second lap of the event. Taraska would go on to lead much of the event prior to a caution flag for fluid on the track with 11 laps remaining.

On the restart, Joey Bailey, who is poised to remain relevant in the championship conversation, got along side Taraska off of turn two as the drivers returned to racing. Taraska would not be denied, as both Bailey and Taraska remained gridlocked, wheel to wheel, down the speedway’s backstretch entering the third corner. As Bailey cleared Taraska, Kyle crossed Joey over exiting the fourth corner, retaking the lead with a handful of laps remaining. These two drivers put on quite the show for the packed stands.

Although Joey Bailey put up a fierce fight, he was no match for Taraska as he went on to earn his first career feature victory in the ATQMRA. In front of many Berkeley College representatives, Kyle Taraska won the 27-lap feature in thrilling fashion. Taraska also earned Colin Martin’s Spitfire Racing team their second win of 2018. Kyle Taraska is now the eighth different winner in 11 events this year, making 2018 the most competitive ATQMRA season on record.

Mr. Consistency, Matt Janisch finished a strong 3rd, passing Kot in the final laps, to earn Yuhas Chassis two of the top-3 podium positions. Matt continues to lead the championship standings with only two points races remaining in the season.

Jeff Kot continues to impress, finishing fourth, running 3rd for almost the entire event. Ryan Tidman rounded out the top-5 for the Boyd Racing team, however lost 8-points to championship leader Janisch. Tidman entered Wall Stadium second in points.

Making impressive debuts were two talented racers “The Tornado,” Anthony Payne and Andrew Krause who made their 2018 ATQMRA debuts this weekend at Wall Stadium. They are sure to be a factor in the remaining races.

The Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA will take the next weekend off prior to heading north to the Waterford Speedbowl, for the rescheduled “Wings N’ Wheels” event on Saturday, October 6th, 2018. Our 2018 champion will officially be crowned at Bethel Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018. For more information about upcoming events, visit ATQMRA.com.

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Race Results

Heat 1
1 #75 Mark Yoder
2 #36 Buddy Sload
3 #51B Joey Bailey
4 #17 Jeff Kot
5 #1B Ryan Tidman
6 #12 Anthony Payne

Heat 2
1 #16 Kyle Taraska
2 #73X Cole Mullen
3 #48 Matt Janisch
4 #51 Joey Payne
5 #98T Tim Proctor
6 #27 Andrew Krause
7 #39 Ronnie Mullen

Feature
1 #16 Kyle Taraska
2 #51B Joey Bailey
3 #48 Matt Janisch
4 #17 Jeff Kot
5 #1B Ryan Tidman
6 #51 Joey Payne
7 #75 Mark Yoder
8 #98T Tim Proctor
9 #27 Andrew Krause
10 #39 Ronnie Mullen
11 #73X Cole Mullen
12 #36 Buddy Sload
13 #12 Anthony Payne

Bailey Earns Third 2018 Feature Win at Mahoning Valley

Sunday, September 16th, 2018

LEIGHTON, PA- For the second time this season, Joey Bailey and his Alan Mollot owned Yuhas Chassis claimed victory at the Mahoning Valley Speedway. Overall, this was Bailey’s third victory in 2018, in the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel, as he continues to scratch and claw towards the top of the championship standings with only a handful of races remaining in the 2018 season. 

For the second ATQMRA event in a row, Jeff Kot, driving the #17 Hyper 600 entry for Spitfire Racing, claimed victory in his heat race. Kot, who claims Mahoning Valley Speedway as his home track, put on a great show all night for the hometown crowd. 

Kot would start from the pole and lead the most laps of the 25 lap feature. At one point opening up a large lead. Kot held off continuous battles from both eventual winner Bailey and ATQMRA championship points leader Matt Janisch. However, both would ultimately pass Kot in the closing stages and Kot settled for a strong third place finish, after blistering his right side tires.

Bailey and Kot would swap the lead and race wheel to wheel for much of the event. Bailey looked to be in trouble when he got sideways exiting turn two but made a great save and continued the battle with Kot.

ATQMRA front runners Ryan Tidman for the Boyd Racing team and Buddy Sload for Spitfire Racing had rather quiet evenings. While finishing fourth and fifth respectively, they will look to regroup and have a much stronger showing at Wall Stadium next weekend. Tidman entered the event second in points behind points leader Matt Janisch.

Kyle Taraska debuted at Mahoning Valley this weekend sporting his usual Berkeley College colors. Taraska experienced a mechanical issue early in the feature event, resulting his race to end after only eight laps. Taraska is expected to come back strong at Wall Stadium this upcoming weekend.

Joey Bailey was sure to thank his car owner Alan Mollot, his father Russ, the Janisch family, and his sponsors Phenomenon Designs, Art’s Radiators, Hoosier Mid-Atlantic and VP Racing Fuel. This has been a career year for the driver from Monroe, NJ as he will work to cap it off with his first career Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA Championship this November. 

The ATQMRA will be racing at Wall Stadium Speedway this upcoming weekend for “Pack the Track Night,” which offers $10 general admission to all fans in attendance.

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Heat Race Results

1. #17 Jeff Kot

2. #51B Joey Bailey 

3. #36 Buddy Sload

4. #48 Matt Janisch 

5. #1B Ryan Tidman

6. #16 Kyle Taraska 

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Feature Race Results 

1. #51B Joey Bailey

2. #48 Matt Janisch 

3. #17 Jeff Kot 

4. #1B Ryan Tidman

5. #36 Buddy Sload

6. #16 Kyle Taraska 

Joey Payne Wins at Wall Stadium

For the third time this season, the Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel invaded the Jersey Shore, at the Wall Stadium Speedway. In front of a near capacity crowd, the drivers put on a caution-free event as has become the norm this year on the inner-oval. This news is a true testament to the rule changes enforced during our most recent off season, which includes requiring all drivers to run wings on their TQ Midgets at Wall Stadium.

Heading into the weekend, all eyes were on Ryan Tidman and the Boyd Racing team. Tidman entered Wall Stadium winning the previous two ATQMRA events at both Bethel and Pocono, respectively. 

Hometown driver Ronnie Mullen won the first heat race of the evening, and would later start on the pole for the feature event. Jeff Kot, who was making only his second start of 2018 in the #17 Hyper 600, won the second 8-lap heat race in dominant fashion. Kot would start on the outside pole. 

Once the feature began, “The Jerzy Jet,” Joey Payne made his presence known, making a three-wide move on the front row starters R. Mullen and Kot on the opening lap of the event. To the delight of the packed crowd in attendance, the racing remained tight throughout the top half of the field, with positions second through fifth within a half of a second of each other for the duration of the race. Kot would stalk Payne the rest of the event but Payne would never look back, going on to lead all 25 laps of the feature event. Payne went on to capture his first victory of 2018. This was also the fourth win of the season for team owner Alan Mollot. 

Joey Payne is now the seventh driver in nine events this season to win an ATQMRA feature, making 2018 one of the most competitive seasons in the series storied history. 

Jeff Kot edged out Ryan Tidman for second in a photo finish, which separated them by one-one hundredth of a second. Joey Bailey went on to finish forth, while championship points leader Matt Janisch rounded out the top-5.

Buddy Sload brought home his Spitfire Chassis in sixth, previous Wall Stadium feature winner Cole Mullen finished in seventh, and Kyle Taraska with his Berkeley College sponsored entry finished in a respectable eighth. Mark Yoder finished 9th and Rookie of the Year candidate Paul Dodorico rounded out the top 10. 

Mechanical issues plagued both Ronnie Mullen and Joey Payne III, who rounded out the field in 11th and 12th respectively. It was a special night for “JP3”, while not only being able to make his 2018 ATQMRA debut in his favorite childhood race car, he was able to be on-hand for the on-track victory lane ceremony with his father during the post race celebration. 

The Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuel will be off the next few weeks prior to invading the Appalachian Mountains and the Mahoning Valley Speedway on September 15th, 2018. 

Race Results

Heat 1

1. #39 Ronnie Mullen

2. #51 Joey Payne

3. #36 Buddy Sload 

4. #51B Joey Bailey 

5. #16 Kyle Taraska

6. #75 Mark Yoder

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Heat 2

1. #17 Jeff Kot

2. #48 Matt Janisch 

3. #73x Cole Mullen

4. #1B Ryan Tidman

5. #55 Paul Dodorico

6. #67 Joey Payne III

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Feature

1. #51 Joey Payne

2. #17 Jeff Kot

3. #1B Ryan Tidman

4. #51B Joey Bailey

5. #48 Matt Janisch 

6. #36 Buddy Sload

7. #73x Cole Mullen

8. #16 Kyle Taraska

9. #75 Mark Yoder

10. #55 Paul Dodorico

11. #39 Ronnie Mullen

12. #67 Joey Payne III