Jeff Kot Wins at Home Track Mahoning; The Jack Bertling Memorial

Staff Report | Monday, July 27th, 2020

Jeff Kot started on the pole and never looked back, leading wire to wire earning victory in The Jack Bertling Memorial at Mahoning Valley Speedway this past weekend.

In a monumental day, the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels officially began their 2020 campaign after being delayed due to lockdowns pertaining to the COVID-19 Pandemic. For the first time this year, all three major TQ Midget Touring Divisions (ATQMRA, NYPA and Can-Am) ran events across the Northeastern United States and Canada. 

Heat races kicked off the evening of racing. Defending ATQMRA Driver’s Champion Joey Bailey won the first heat race, in his official debut in Donna and Lenny Boyd’s #1B Home-Built Chassis. Geoffrey Sutton debuted in Bailey’s former ride, winning the second heat race. The newly rebranded #51S is still owned by defending ATQMRA Owner’s Champion, Alan Mollot.

When the field re-drew for position, all eyes were on the provisional pole sitter Jeff Kot. Unofficially, Kot turned the fastest lap in practice which averaged approximately a blistering 96 MPH around the 1/4 mile bullring.

The ATQMRA honored Bertling with a missing man formation on the parade lap with fans and drivers waving to pay respects to an amazing racing career.

When Bertling’s daughter, Tiffany Bertling Hoffman dropped the green flag, Kot shot off like a rocket into turn 1 setting early pace on the field. Heat race winner Geoffrey Sutton bursted out into second and the race was on from there.

Sutton would maintain decent pace with Kot through the early stages of the race, as heavy hitters Ryan Tidman, Buddy Sload and Joey Bailey lurked in the back. Sload and Bailey especially, who had to slice and dice their ways through the field after drawing the 6th and 8th place positions respectively. 

Sload in Colin Martin’s #36 Spitfire Chassis would make a late charge, after passing Sutton for second with six laps remaining. While Kot’s lead shrunk, Sload’s charge was no match as Jeff Kot and his Behrent’s Performance Warehouse TQ Midget went on to victory at his home track at Mahoning Valley Speedway in 4 minutes flat. 

Buddy Sload would finish second while Geoffrey Sutton finished third. Joey Bailey made a late-race pass on Five-Time ATQMRA Champion Ryan Tidman for fourth, while Tidman’s #51 Lindblad Badger rounded out the top-5.

Kyle Taraska finished 6th, in his newly sponsored Chick-fil-A #22 machine in his first full, official race at Mahoning Valley. Brianna Page managed a seventh place finish in her first start at Mahoning Valley since 2013.

After a promising start to the afternoon showing a lot of speed in his practice and heat race, Anthony Payne’s #12 Dent Zones TQ Midget experiences a mechanical issue six laps into the 25 lap feature event, ending his evening prematurely. Payne was officially scored in 8th.

Mechanical issues plagued much of the ATQMRA pit area yesterday. Mark Yoder experienced a fuel pump issue during the pace laps of the feature. Tim Proctor found an oil line issue after the second round of practice. Unfortunately, neither driver officially started the 25 lap feature.

The ATQMRA honored 3X Champion Jack Bertling Saturday night, he was a staple of the TQ Midget Racing Community. Bertling, who earned two of his ATQMRA Championships with preciously mentioned Alan Mollot, earned his stripes not only on the touring circuit but also at Pine Brook Speedway as well.

Tiffany Bertling Hoffman, was on hand for a special pre-race photo with the ATQMRA drivers, waved the green flag to start the 25 lap-feature, and was on-hand to present the race winning check and plaque to winner Jeff Kot.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will be in action at Wall Stadium Speedway, on Saturday August 8th, 2020, for the second race of the season. For all the latest news and updates revolving around the Premier TQ Midget Racing Division, please visit atqmra.com or our various social media sites including Facebook and Instagram. 

Race Results:

Heat 1:
    1.    #1B Joey Bailey 
    2.    #95 Jeff Kot 
    3.    #51 Ryan Tidman 
    4.    #75 Mark Yoder
    5.    #76 Brianna Page 

Heat 2:
    1.    #51S Geoffrey Sutton
    2.    #12 Anthony Payne 
    3.    #36 Buddy Sload 
    4.    #22 Kyle Taraska 
    5.    #98 Tim Proctor DNS

Feature:
    1.    #95 Jeff Kot 
    2.    #36 Buddy Sload 
    3.    #51S Geoffrey Sutton
    4.    #1B Joey Bailey 
    5.    #51 Ryan Tidman 
    6.    #22 Kyle Taraska 
    7.    #76 Brianna Page 
    8.    #12 Anthony Payne DNF 
    9.    #75 Mark Yoder DNS 
    10.  #98 Tim Proctor DNS

Bailey Earns Bethel Victory & Championship

Staff Report | Monday, November 4th, 2019

Joey Bailey is the 2019 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels Series Champion. Bailey solidified his championship by earning his series leading sixth feature victory of the year.

Bethel Motor Speedway was the sight of this weekend’s ATQMRA action, hosting the 12th and final points paying event of the 2019 campaign.

Ryan Tidman and Geoffrey Sutton earned heat race victories before the sunset on a brisk evening of racing. Each driver, along with Buddy Sload, were mathematically eligible to chase down points leader Bailey and win the championship heading into the event.

After handicapping, Mark Yoder led the field to the green for the 30 lap feature in his Ames Construction Hyper Chassis. Jeff Kot and the Behrents Performance Hyper Chassis kept Yoder honest in the opening laps. Kot, along with Anthony Payne in the Dent Zone Lafler Chassis pulled away from a large pack of cars in third.

It wouldn’t be long for Tidman and Bailey to make their way up through the field, picking off drivers one by one as they battled each other for the eventual lead.

After a strong showing up front, Yoder was passed for the lead by Tidman on lap 8. Tidman, followed by Bailey would clear the leaders, and battle it out amongst themselves throughout the remainder of the event.

Tidman’s hand was forced when both he and Bailey approached lapped cars Joey Payne III and Bobby Watkins. While Payne III and Watkins had their own battle for 10th, Tidman and Bailey were fighting to claim the checkered flag with only two laps remaining.

Tidman went low, Bailey went high. Bailey, with championship implications on the line, made a daring 4-wide outside pass on leader Tidman and the lapped traffic on the back straightaway.

Bailey powered to the lead, bringing the crowd to their feet. Bailey went on to lead the final two laps of the event, bringing home both the feature victory and the 2019 championship title.

After an impressive showing in speed, a dejected Tidman brought his Boyd Chassis home in second. With his second place finish, Tidman remarkably jumped from 4th to 2nd in final championship standings.

Mark Yoder ran his best race of the year, rounding out the podium. Championship contender Geoffrey Sutton finished 4th. Sutton would end his season third in series standings.

Long Island, NY invader Richie Davidowitz finished a respectable 5th in only his third start of 2019.

Anthony Payne finished 6th, Jeff Kot brought his machine home in 7th, and New England invader Avery Stoehr finished 8th.

Buddy Sload experienced mechanical issues throughout the duration of the afternoon. Sload’s championship run ended prematurely due to his issues, as he was only able to salvage a 9th place finish. After a strong season featuring three feature wins, Sload concludes his 2019 campaign fourth in standings.

Dodorico, Payne III, Taraska, Gorbatuk, Watkins and Craig rounded out the fifteen cars to take the green. Mike Glaser did not start the feature after an on-track incident in his heat race.

Joey Bailey, who began his racing career racing quarter midgets at “Little” Wall Stadium and various facilities across the country, earned his first career ATQMRA Championship this weekend. Bailey, at age 22, is one of the youngest drivers to earn the ATQMRA’s highest honors in organization history.

Bailey’s 2019 efforts include six feature victories and an average finishing position just shy of second throughout the season. Joey Bailey and the #51B Yuhas Chassis Championship Winning Team is led by father Russ Bailey, and storied ATQMRA car owner Alan Mollot.

The Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will officially conclude their season at the non-points running of Turkey Derby XLVI at Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, November 30th, 2019.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #1B Ryan Tidman

2. #75 Mark Yoder

3. #51B Joey Bailey

4. #95 Jeff Kot

5. #12 Anthony Payne

6. #02 Kyle Taraska

7. #67 Joey Payne III

8. #16 Mike Glaser

Heat 2:

1. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

2. #23 Avery Stoehr

3. #25 Richie Davidowitz

4. #55 Paul Dodorico

5. #36 Buddy Sload

6. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

7. #91 Bobby Watkins

8. #55C Steve Craig
   

Feature:

1. #51B Joey Bailey

2. #1B Ryan Tidman

3. #75 Mark Yoder

4. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

5. #25 Richie Davidowitz

6. #12 Anthony Payne

7. #95 Jeff Kot

8. #23 Avery Stoehr

9. #36 Buddy Sload

10. #55 Paul Dodorico

11. #67 Joey Payne III

12. #02 Kyle Taraska

13. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

14. #91 Bobby Watkins

15. #55C Steve Craig

16. #16 Mike Glaser DNS

Sutton Earns 2nd ATQMRA Victory of 2019 in Wild Race

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Staff Report | Monday, October 7th, 2019

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Geoffrey Sutton won his second Hoosier Tire-Mid Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels Feature Race of the 2019 campaign this weekend at Wall Stadium Speedway.

With only two points races remaining this season entering Wall Stadium Speedway this weekend, championship implications were on the line. While four drivers were mathematically eligible to earn the ATQMRA’s highest honor this November, most eyes were set on point leader Joey Bailey and current runner-up Buddy Sload. Sload entered the event 28 points behind Bailey, which helped set the stage for an intense, drama-filled race.

Speaking of Sload, he won the first heat race of the night in his Spitfire Chassis. Jeff Kot won the second heat race of the evening in his Behrents Performance Warehouse Hyper Chassis.

Kot had no regard for the championship battle, as he looked to steal the show for much of the early going of the 25 lap feature. After starting fifth, Kot sliced and diced his way to the lead in two laps. Kot out-dueled pole sitter Ronnie “The Rocket” Mullen in turns three and four to earn the top spot. Mullen, along with son Cole, had great runs in their own right by the time the dust settled.

Jeff Kot took advantage of the clean air ahead of him, pulling out to a near straightaway lead on the field. Meanwhile, the championship battle was heating up between Sload and Bailey. After starting 8th and 10th respectively due to handicapping, fans were brought to their feet witnesses many three and four wide passes as the drivers raced each other hard with their sights set on the lead.

The Sload and Bailey battle almost came to a head on lap four. After a full lap of side by side racing and crossovers, Sload and Bailey rubbed rails in turn 1. The hard racing incident earned Sload an advantage as he was able to pull away, and ultimately take advantage of Kot in lapped traffic to earn the lead. Bailey kept him honest and managed to get to third by the time the caution flew.

Bailey and Kot would tangle on the ensuing restart. Kot’s great run came to a premature end as he fell to the back half of the field as a result. Geoffrey Sutton would quietly sneak his way up to second in the midst of the Bailey-Kot incident.

For much of the late going, through a series or restarts, the top four drivers in championship standings were lined up within the top four starting positions. Those being Buddy Sload, Geoffrey Sutton, Joey Bailey and Ryan Tidman.

Sutton had a great restart in the late going. In thrilling fashion, Sutton went to the high side of Sload in turns one and two. He then set up the crossover move as Sutton got to the inside of Sload down the backstretch and then to the lead in turn three.

Sload tried to return the favor and make crossover move back on Sutton. However, Joey Bailey filled the gap Sload needed to make the move a success.

The two drivers made contact again for the second time in the race. Gridlocked, Bailey and Sload veered toward the banking on the exit of turn four. After nearly being forced across the yellow line, Sload came to a brief halt, bringing the caution out for the final time.

After the severity of alleged intent by Bailey, Sload looked to show his frustration to Bailey under caution. Due to the on-track actions of both drivers, Wall Stadium officials elected to send both championship favorites to the rear of the field with only five laps remaining in the race.

With the drama in the back, it was Sutton in the front. Geoffrey Sutton went on to earn his second victory of the season, both of which came at Wall Stadium Speedway. With the win, an Alan Mollot owned race car officially won every Wall Stadium ATQMRA points race this season, heading into Turkey Derby this November.

Ryan Tidman, racing the home-built Boyd Chassis, finished a sporty second. Tidman, entered the event tied for third in points with Sutton. Both drivers kept their championship hopes alive heading into the final race of the season at Bethel.

Anthony Payne racing for Michael J. Murray, earned his best finish of the season in third. Cole Mullen, competing on three-race used tires, brought his Mullen Brother’s Racing entry home in fourth. Cole’s father (and car owner) Ronnie Mullen, earned a sixth place finish as well. There were many people in attendance that were pleased to see the Mullen’s run so well collectively at their home track of Wall Stadium this weekend.

After their scuffles earlier in the race, Buddy Sload salvaged a fifth place finish and Joey Bailey managed to finish in seventh. Sload officially enters the championship race at Bethel 20 points, or five on-track positions behind Bailey. Sload is seeking his second ATQMRA Championship while Bailey seeks his first.

Other notables include the return of Paul Dodorico, earning a respectable 8th place finish. Dodorico was sidelined for much of the summer due to medical reasons. It was great to see a healthy and competitive Dodorico at the track this weekend.

Joey Payne III had a great outing finishing 9th. Payne III, at one point, drove from 15th towards the top 5, until an on-track incident derailed his efforts. After taking a leave from the competing, it was back in competitive form throughout the weekend at Wall Stadium.

Dave Gorbatuk picked up speed this race and turned some competetive laps. Gorbatuk brought home his Superior Automotive Spitfire Chassis in 10th.

Kot was sent to the rear of the field after the checkered flag flew due to a confrontation with Joey Bailey. Mark Yoder was disqualified for mistakenly ignoring the black flag due to a right rear brake malfunction during the event.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels Championship Event will be held at Bethel Motor Speedway, on Saturday November 2nd, 2019.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #51B Joey Bailey

3. #12 Anthony Payne

4. #55 Paul Dodorico

5. #39 Ronnie Mullen

6. #91 Bobby Watkins

7. #55C Steve Craig

8. #02 Kyle Taraska DNS

Heat 2:

1. #95 Jeff Kot

2. #75 Mark Yoder

3. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

4. #1B Ryan Tidman

5. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

6. #67 Joey Payne III

7. #73 Cole Mullen

8. #16 Mike Glaser
   
   

Feature:

1. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

2. #1B Ryan Tidman

3. #12 Anthony Payne

4. #73 Cole Mullen

5. #36 Buddy Sload

6. #39 Ronnie Mullen

7. #51B Joey Bailey

8. #55 Paul Dodorico

9. #67 Joey Payne III

10. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

11. #55C Steve Craig

12. #16 Mike Glaser

13. #91 Bobby Watkins

14. #95 Jeff Kot

15. #75 Mark Yoder DQ

16. #02 Kyle Taraska DNS

Bailey Prevails in Action-Packed Wall Feature

Photo Credits: JJ Lane
Staff Report | Monday, September 23rd, 2019

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Joey Bailey acclaimed his series high fifth Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels feature victory this weekend at Wall Stadium Speedway.

In front of a packed grandstand, the ATQMRA hosted their 10th championship race of the season at the historic Wall Township, New Jersey venue. The action and excitement within the 25 lap feature did not disappoint.

Heat Race winners Buddy Sload and Geoffrey Sutton proved their worth early. Sload, who would eventually run the fastest lap of the day at a 12.916 and Geoffrey Sutton, who had momentum on his side coming off a Wall Stadium Feature victory in August.

It didn’t take long for Jeff Kot, and his Behrent Performance Warehouse machine to power past hometown driver Cole Mullen and Mark Yoder. Kot overtook Mullen for the lead in the third turn of the opening lap. By the time the field came back around to complete the second lap, it was Buddy Sload powering past Kot for the lead.

It seemed like it would be Sload’s race to win throughout much of the early going as Kot was in tow with Yoder having a very strong run in third. The field would reset right around the halfway point when Joey Payne III, making his first ATQMRA start of 2019, spun and brought out the first caution of the event. This set up a front row restart featuring championship favorites Sload and Joey Bailey. Bailey entered the event six on-track positions ahead of Sload in standings.

Sload maintained the lead on the first double file restart. A series of restarts would follow, with back-to-back single car incidents featuring Dave Gorbatuk and Anthony Payne. Both drivers were fine from their respective incidents, and each went on the finish the remainder of the event.

The battle for the lead, and the championship for that matter, heated up immensely on the restart. Bailey got underneath Sload for the lead in turn 1. Sload was able to return the favor in turn 1 on the following lap as the leaders sliced and diced for the top spot. The two rubbed rails on both occasions bringing the crowd to their feet.

A multi-car incident involving Cole Mullen and Kyle Taraska slowed the field down again for the fourth time. Bailey was able to retain the lead due to scoring to the last lap completed, which featured Bailey crossing the line ahead of Sload.

One more caution from a single car incident involving Taraska again, slowed the field down for the final time with five laps to go. In the end, it was Joey Bailey who prevailed to claim his fifth ATQMRA feature victory of the season, and second career on Wall Stadium’s inner oval.

Buddy Sload finished 2nd, who will enter Wall Stadium in two weeks 28 points behind Bailey, with two points races remaining on the year.

August Wall Stadium winner Geoffrey Sutton finished in third. Jeff Kot finished a very strong fourth. Mark Yoder and the Ames Construction machine rounded out a very competitive top five.

Other notables include the return of Mike Tidaback to the ATQMRA Pit Area. Mike received a warm welcome this weekend serving as the crew chief for Jeff Kot and his race team. Tidaback also a victory lane appearance with feature winner Joey Bailey. It was great to have Mike Tidaback at the track this weekend and we wish him continued success in his recovery. Please keep Mike in your prayers.

Buddy Sload and Spitfire Racing honored racing legend Mike Stefanik this weekend at Wall Stadium. Sload ran the Stefanik nameplate across the front of his Spitfire Chassis. This of course, was the same nameplate and car Stefanik won in, during the 2009 Coffee Cup Rhode Island Indoor Series Event. On behalf of the ATQMRA at large, we extend our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mike Stefanik. Mike was a great person, and a great ambassador for Motorsports.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will head back to Wall Stadium in two weeks, on Saturday October 5th, 2019.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #51B Joey Bailey

3. #12 Anthony Payne

4. #67 Joey Payne III

5. #75 Mark Yoder

6. #98 Tim Proctor

7. #Ronnie Mullen

Heat 2:

1. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

2. #95 Jeff Kot

3. #73 Cole Mullen

4. #1B Ryan Tidman

5. #02 Kyle Taraska

6. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

Feature:

1. #51B Joey Bailey

2. #36 Buddy Sload

3. #51 Geoffrey Sutton

4. #95 Jeff Kot

5. #75 Mark Yoder

6. #1B Ryan Tidman

7. #12 Anthony Payne

8. #98 Tim Proctor

9. #02 Kyle Taraska

10. #39 Ronnie Mullen

11. #32 Dave Gorbatuk

12. #73 Cole Mullen

13. #67 Joey Payne III