Sload Continues Winning Ways in 2nd Annual JJ Lane Memorial

Staff Report | Monday, September 27th, 2021

Photography Credit: Eric Storch, Scott Racz, Tommy Lane, Sean Case

Tommy Lane, JJ’s brother, brings the crowd to their feet for the Missing Man Formation.

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Buddy Sload (#36) earned his sixth Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels feature of the season by defending his crown in the 2nd Annual JJ Lane Memorial at Wall Stadium Speedway.

Fifteen drivers would ultimately take the green in what is quickly becoming a marquee event for the ATQMRA. Drivers spent time with fans in the concourse area prior to the feature event, signing autographs to the delight of the fans.

RYNO.co Rookie Contender points leader Brianna Page (#76) was the star of the early evening leading wire to wire to earn her first career ATQMRA heat race victory. It was a great way to kick off an evening of racing for her team, who had hundreds of folks from her sponsor Stavola Companies in attendance.

Buddy Sload (#36) would win the second eight lap heat of the evening.

In honor of our dear friend and late-Wall Stadium photographer JJ Lane, the Lane family, including father Ace, mother Michelle brother Tommy were in attendance to give the command to fire engines for the 25-lap feature.

In a race designed to honor JJ, became much more meaningful due to unprecedented events in recent weeks. The ATQMRA honored not only JJ, but Wall Stadium Pastor and legend Bob Menschner, and long-time ATQMRA supporters Bob Emmons and Bud Sload with a 4-wide, missing man formation.

Steve Craig (#55) and Brianna Page led the field to green in what would become an exciting race for the lead. Page made an initial power move on the outside of Craig to take the lead, only to get passed by 5X Champion Ryan Tidman (#51T) by the completion of lap one.

Championship contenders Buddy Sload, Kyle Taraska (#22), Jeff Kot (#95) and championship leader Joey Bailey (#1B) sliced and diced amongst themselves fighting for every position and every point available.

A series of self-spins throughout the field caused multiple cautions in the early stages. The most notable caution was heat race winner Brianna Page, who entered turn one a little too hot and spun across the track while running second. In what was a heartbreaking turn of events, Brianna would still ultimately recover to earn a strong 7th place finish in her Stavola, A&A Truck Parts TQ Midget.

Page’s caution set up an intense battle between championship favorites, and a near collision between Tidman and Sload in the third turn on the restart. Tidman overshot the entry and pushed up into Sload, opening the door for Taraska to make a daring three wide move to the bottom for the lead.

One final restart just prior to the halfway point saw leader Sload break away from the pack first, with Taraska, Tidman, Kot and Bailey in tow.

Tidman ultimately faded, as Taraska began to chase down Sload, Kot began to chase down Taraska. Jeff Kot and the Behrents Performance Warehouse machine would back up practice by earning the Hoosier Hot Lap award of the race with a lap time of 13.051 seconds. Kot was the only driver to break into the 13.0’s all day.

Lapped traffic almost became a factor, but it would be Buddy Sload hanging on for another victory on Wall Stadium’s inner 1/5th mile oval.

Kyle Taraska and Jeff Kot put on a tremendous show for second. However, the Chick-fil-A, Personal Comfort Team held onto second, with Kot rounding out the podium.

A quiet night for his standards, Championship Leader Joey Bailey brought his car home in fourth for Donna and Lenny Boyd. Ryan Tidman rounded out the top five. Bailey will retain his championship lead as he seeks his second career championship.

Steve Craig’s Craig Bulk Carriers car ended the evening is sixth. Craig was ecstatic post-race with his overall performance and pace. It is great to see Steve Craig to continue to put strong runs together on a consistent basis.

As noted, Brianna Page recovered to finish seventh. In what was one of her strongest showings to-date in her ATQMRA career, Page’s successful evening ended with her finishing as the top RYNO.co Rookie Contender of the race. Page will remain the Rookie Points Leader with two races remaining

Robert Willis (#27) finished a career best 8th place finish. Willis, another rookie, continues to improve each race in his Supreme Manufacturing entry.

Cole Mullen (#73) made his first start of 2021 to earn a 9th place finish.

The feel good story involved the collaboration between Ronnie Mullen and Tyler Ferris (#39). Ferris, normally the driver of the #33 Hamer Heating and Cooling car, experienced a mechanical failure in practice. Mullen gave up his seat in what would have been his first start of the 2021 season, to Ferris, to keep him in the Rookie points battle. Ferris rounded out the top-10.

Chris Pelcher (#44), Bobby Watkins (#91), Rich Barlow (#09), Bill Force Jr. (#26) and Mike Glaser (#2) rounded out the field of fifteen.

Buddy Sload has officially locked up the VP Checkered Flag Award for the 2021 season by earning his sixth victory of the season. Sload’s Spitfire Racing entry has won all of the races they finished this season.

Sload, along with the rest of the ATQMRA, was very appreciative to have the Lane Family in attendance in the 2nd Annual event to honor their late-son. Sload is the back-to-back champion of the race.

Five drivers will remain mathematically eligible to earn a championship, when The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels returns to action on Saturday, October 16th, 2021 at The New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

The championship points season will wrap up on Saturday November 6th at Bethel Motor Speedway, prior to the prestigious running of the non-points, Turkey Derby XLVIII Thanksgiving weekend.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #76 Brianna Page

2. #1B Joey Bailey

3. #22 Kyle Taraska

4. #2 Mike Glaser

5. #44P Chris Pelcher

6. #73 Cole Mullen

7. #09 Rich Barlow

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Heat 2:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #51T Ryan Tidman

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #55C Steve Craig

5. #27 Robert Willis

6. #91 Bobby Watkins

7. #39 Tyler Ferris

8. #26 Bill Force Jr. DNS

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Feature:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #22 Kyle Taraska

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #1B Joey Bailey

5. #51T Ryan Tidman

6. #55C Steve Craig

7. #76 Brianna Page

8. #27 Robert Willis

9. #73 Cole Mullen

10. #39 Tyler Ferris

11. #44P Chris Pelcher

12. #91 Bobby Watkins

13. #09 Rich Barlow

14. #26 Bill Force Jr.

15. #2 Mike Glaser

Sload Wins Emotional Feature at Wall

Staff Report | Monday, September 13th, 2021

Photo Credit: Eric Storch Photography

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- In the wake of the recent passing of his late-father, Buddy Sload out dueled Joey Bailey to earn his 5th victory of the 2021 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels Season.

For the first time since July 31st, the weather forecast was favorable for the “Premier TQ Midget Racing Division” on the sacred evening of the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. Wall Stadium Speedway hosted a phenomenal pre-race show to honor those who had fallen, featuring The Garden State Quarter Midget Club. Each of the fifteen ATQMRA vehicles were adorned with an American Flag this weekend.

Kyle Taraska and the #22 Chick-fil-A, Personal Comfort Team won the opening heat race of the evening. Taraska set the Hoosier Hot Lap of both heat races combined. Buddy Sload and the #36 Spitfire Racing Team won the second, 8 lap heat of the evening.

The #55C Craig Bulk Carriers team of Steve Craig led the field to the green flag for the start of the 25 lap feature. After an impressive showing in his heat, RYNO.co Rookie Contender #27 Supreme Manufacturing machine of Robert Willis brought out the first caution. Willis entered turn 3 a little too hard and looped his car around. Willis would continue as he experienced no damage from the incident.

On the complete restart, the RYNO.co Rookie Contenders remained the story. #33 Hamer Heating and Cooling TQ Midget of Tyler Ferris powered around the veteran Steve Craig off of turn two to lead the opening lap. Sload followed close in tow for second. Fellow rookie contender #76 Stavola Companies, A&A Trucking Team of Brianna Page was roughed up a bit as her car came to a stop in turn 4 on the second lap. Page, understandably frustrated after finishing an impressive 2nd in her heat, would continue on inside the top 10 in the laps to follow.

The caution set up an intense battle between Buddy Sload and Championship Points Leader, Joey Bailey. Sload and Bailey raced nerf bar to nerf bar, lap after lap bringing a near capacity crowd to their feet. Right when Bailey stormed his #1B Boyd Built-Chassis to the lead, a caution came out again for a single car incident in turn 2. It was deemed by race officials that the field did not complete a full lap under green after Bailey earned the lead, ultimately handing the lead back to Sload on the restart.

“The Jersey Jet” Joey Payne made a remarkable run from 10th to 3rd and was charging through the field before drive shaft failure ended his night.

The battle for 3rd heated up as multi-time champion #51T Ryan Tidman felt pressure from the #95 of Kot. Tidman, fighting a tight car, opened the door for Kot to take 3rd and join the battle for the lead.

The race remained green to the finish. Joey Bailey kept Sload honest, but Buddy Sload preserved and claimed another Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Fuels feature victory on Wall Stadium’s 1/5th mile inner oval.

Bailey, the biggest mover of the race, finished 2nd. The next biggest mover of the race was the #95 Behrents Performance Warehouse Machine of Jeff Kot. Kot, who ran the Hoosier Hot Lap of the feature with a time of 13.084 seconds continues to knock on the door each week for victories. The #51T of Ryan Tidman finished in fourth, and RYNO.co Top Rookie of the race was Tyler Ferris. Ferris has now finished in the top-5 in back to back feature events.

After what started off as another promising afternoon, Kyle Taraska finished sixth. Mike Glaser and the #2 Aqua Solutions TQ Midget finished comfortably in the top-10 in seventh. Robert Willis and Brianna Page both recovered from early race incidents to finish eight and ninth respectively. Steve Craig rounded out the top-10.

Bill Force Jr. made his second start of the year and brought his car home in 11th, and Ken Moody finished our his birthday weekend bringing the #01 Rez Beverage, Doug Heveron Tribute car in 12th.

#51 Joey Payne finished in 13th. Mark Yoder experienced a braking issue to finish 14th.

Rookie Rich Barlow made his official ATQMRA debut this weekend and rounded out the field in 15th.

Since our last feature event, the ATQMRA lost two of their own. ‘Big Bud’ Sload, father of Buddy Sload, passed away in recent weeks. It was great to have many members of the Sload Family and the entire #36 team at the track this weekend. Buddy and his team raced with a heavy heart, and pulled off a tremendous victory in Big Bud’s honor. The ATQMRA raised over $200 through Memorial Stickers made in Bud’s honor, to be fully donated to the SPCA in Bud’s name.

This week, long-time sponsor and supporter of the ATQMRA Bob Emmons passed away as well. While Mr. Emmons supported many racers throughout the years, his relationship with the Boyd Family was unmatched- a friendship dating back to the mid-1970’s. As Mr. Emmons impact goes well beyond motorsports, he was (and forever will be) an integral part of the Boyd Racing Team and ATQMRA. Bob Emmons will be missed dearly by his peers.

Godspeed Bud Sload and Bob Emmons.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will return to action on Saturday, September 25th at Wall Stadium Speedway for the JJ Lane Memorial.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #22 Kyle Taraska

2. #33 Tyler Ferris

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #1B Joey Bailey

5. #27 Robert Willis

6. #26 Bill Force Jr.

7. #01 Ken Moody Jr.

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Heat 2:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #76 Brianna Page

3. #51 Joey Payne

4. #51T Ryan Tidman

5. #55C Steve Craig

6. #75 Mark Yoder

7. #2 Mike Glaser

8. #09 Rich Barlow

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Feature:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #1B Joey Bailey

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #51T Ryan Tidman

5. #33 Tyler Ferris

6. #22 Kyle Taraska

7. #2 Mike Glaser

8. #27 Robert Willis

9. #76 Brianna Page

10. #55C Steve Craig

11. #26 Bill Force Jr.

12. #01 Ken Moody Jr.

13. #51 Joey Payne

14. #75 Mark Yoder

15. #09 Rich Barlo

Sload Dominant at Wall in Latest Victory

Staff Report | Monday, August 2nd, 2021

Photography presented by Sean Case & Eric Storch

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Buddy Sload and the #36 Spitfire Racing Team found themselves in a familiar place after earning another Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels victory at Wall Stadium Speedway.

A strong car count of sixteen entered the pit area Saturday afternoon, with eventually fifteen taking the green flag for the 25 lap feature.

Prior to the feature, Jeff Kot and the Behrents Performance TQ Midget earned a heat victory in heat one and set the fastest lap of the afternoon. Buddy Sload went on to win a wild heat two, with much of the action happening behind him. Sload won the heat, but the young and aggressive RYNO Classifieds Rookie Contender Tyler Ferris made many risky moves on his way to a third place finish.

After taking a brief hiatus, Mark Yoder’s #75 Ames Construction Team returned to the grid this weekend and led the field to green. A mistimed jump by Sload and Ferris caused a stack up of the outside lane, with championship points leader Joey Bailey taking advantage. Bailey jumped from tenth to third by the completion of lap one, as he tried to carry the momentum for the Boyd Family from his recent feature victory at Bethel Motor Speedway.

While Bailey jumped to third, heat race winner Jeff Kot sliced and diced his way to second from the seventh starting position. Sload led from nearly the jump of the green flag, but it was Kot and Bailey who kept him honest, taking advantage of the early struggles of the cars in front of them and chased Sload down as the race approached the halfway point.

Hard racing continued as you could have thrown a blanket over fourth through eighth, including the likes of Joey Payne, rookies Tyler Ferris and Brianna Page, Kyle Taraska and Ryan Tidman.

After taking some time off, Mike Glaser and the #2 Aqua Solutions Team returned to Wall Stadium this weekend. Unfortunately, the weekend didn’t go as planned for the team. Glaser spun off the exit of turn two to bring out the only caution of the evening with ten laps remaining.

Sload commanded a single file restart and never looked back, to go on and earn his fourth feature victory of the 2021 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels season. Jeff Kot finished second and Joey Bailey rounded out the podium, finishing close to where all these drivers ran for the majority of the race.

Late-race drama between Ferris and J. Payne, earned Ferris the fourth spot and J. Payne falling back to sixth due to hard contact in turn three coming to the checkered. Kyle Taraska’s #22 Chick-fil-A, Personal Comfort Team was the beneficiary of the skirmish, to earn a fifth place finish.

As noted, Joey Payne finished sixth and Ryan Tidman had a quiet night for his standards in seventh. Brianna Page spent much of the evening racing in the top-five, however, she resulted in a competitive eighth for the Stavola, A&A Truck Parts #76 Team. Pole sitter Mark Yoder finished ninth, and making his season debut Anthony Payne rounded out the top-10.

Steve Craig finished 11th, and rookie Robert Willis finished 12th. Mike Glaser finished 13th. Bill Force Jr., another driver to make his 2021 debut finished 14th. Rookie Chris Pelcher rounded out the field. Ken Moody unfortunately experienced motor issues in practice, derailing his efforts prior to qualifying.

Buddy Sload continues his feast of famine season, winning the four races his car has finished this season. Sload’s three non-wins all resulted in DNF’s for various reasons. Sload has a tough hill to climb in the championship to catch up to the very consistent, and defending series champ Joey Bailey. Bailey expanded his lead to 40 points over the field this weekend.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels returns to action on Saturday, August 21st at Wall Stadium Speedway.

Race Results:

Heat 1:

1. #95 Jeff Kot

2. #51 Joey Payne

3. #75 Mark Yoder

4. #76 Brianna Page

5. #55C Steve Craig

6. #27 Robert Willis -DNS

7. #6 Bill Force Jr. -DNS

Heat 2:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #1B Joey Bailey

3. #33 Tyler Ferris

4. #51 Ryan Tidman

5. #22 Kyle Taraska

6. #12 Anthony Payne

7. #2 Mike Glaser

8. #44P Chris Pelcher

Feature:

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #95 Jeff Kot

3. #1B Joey Bailey

4. #33 Tyler Ferris

5. #22 Kyle Taraska

6. #51 Joey Payne

7. #51T Ryan Tidman

8. #76 Brianna Page

9. #75 Mark Yoder

10. #12 Anthony Payne

11. #55C Steve Craig

12. #27 Robert Willis

13. #2 Mike Glaser

14. #6 Bill Force Jr.

15. #44P Chris Pelcher

Bailey Wins First Race of Season at Bethel; Extends Points Lead

Staff Report | Monday, July 12th, 2021

Photo credit: Melissa Brush Photography

SWAN LAKE, NY- Joey Bailey was the hard charger of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels feature at Bethel Motor Speedway, going from seventh to first to earn his first victory of the 2021 season.

Ryan Tidman and Buddy Sload were the winners of their respective heat races, that went clean and green from start to finish. RYNO Classifieds Rookie Contender Tyler Wagner finished second, in the second heat. With the great result, Wagner qualified for his handicap and earned the pole position for the 25 lap feature.

Drama occurred even before Wagner led the field to green, when Buddy Sload’s bad luck continued as a mechanic failure occurred during the scuff laps. In a season that has become feast or famine for the #36 team, Sload was credited with 12th place points for the event.

However, not all was bad for the Sload family this weekend. Former ATQMRA Champion Alison Sload won her 2nd career super modified feature in Oswego, NY on Saturday.

Back to the action in Bethel, where it did not take long for the veteran Ryan Tidman to our duel front row rookies Wagner and Tyler Ferris for the lead on the opening lap.

While many eyes were on Tidman, the story of the race was already developing as Joey Bailey shot out of a cannon from the fourth starting row. The determined Bailey made every move possible from going three wide outside to almost four wide inside to chase down leader Tidman in the opening stages.

A tight duel with the Behrents Performance TQ Midget Jeff Kot kept fans on the edge of their seats, as Bailey took over the second position.

A caution for RYNO Rookie Contender Tyler Ferris after a turn 4 spin would bunch the field up near the halfway point of the race, and it was all that Bailey needed to duel with Tidman for the lead on the restart

Tensions were high and the racing was tight, as the last time the ATQMRA competed at Bethel, Tidman and Bailey tangled while fighting for the lead. While the racing remained tight, the racing stayed clean as Bailey eventually overtook the lead from Tidman and never looked back.

Joey Bailey driving the #1B Boyd Chassis earned his first victory of the season at Bethel Motor Speedway. Ryan Tidman and Jeff Kot rounded out the podium.

A tight battle between the #22 Chick-fil-A, Personal Comfort car Kyle Taraska and the #23 Badger of Avery Stoehr came down to the final lap. Taraska overtook Stoehr for fourth coming back to the white flag. Stoehr, driving for the DiMario Family, finished a strong fifth in their 2021 season debut.

Brianna Page an the A&A Truck Parts, Stavola Companies #76 team was the top finishing RYNO Classifieds Rookie Contender in sixth. After starting on the pole, fellow rookie competitor Tyler Wagner put on a great showing running all the laps and finishing an ATQMRA career high seventh.

Steve Craig closed his championship points gap to fifth place Buddy Sload this weekend by finishing in 8th. Last race’s winning owner returned to the driver seat, as Paul Dodorico and the Martha Baker D.M.D, Checkwon Manufacturing TQ Midget finished in ninth.

After experiencing the noted mid-race spin, Tyler Ferris rounded out the top-10.

Rookie Chris Pelcher made the long haul from Pittsburgh, PA to make his career debut to finish 11th. Pelcher was the last car running, as Sload rounded out the field in 12th with pre-race troubles.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will be racing at Wall Stadium Speedway, on Saturday July 17th, 2021. This will begin a stretch of six races in a row at the speedway, spanning from July through September.

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Race Results:

Heat 1:
1. #51T Ryan Tidman

2. #1B Joey Bailey

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #23 Avery Stoehr

5. #55 Paul Dodorico

6. #55C Steve Craig

Heat 2:
1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #32 Tyler Wagner

3. #22 Kyle Taraska

4. #33 Tyler Ferris

5. #76 Brianna Page

6. #44P Chris Pelcher

Feature:
1. #1B Joey Bailey

2. #51T Ryan Tidman

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #22 Kyle Taraska

5. #23 Avery Stoehr

6. #76 Brianna Page

7. #32 Tyler Wagner

8. #55C Steve Craig

9. #55 Paul Dodorico

10. #33 Tyler Ferris

11. #44P Chris Pelcher

12. #36 Buddy Sload

Payne Honors Father, Wins Thrilling Payne Sr. Memorial

Staff Report | Monday, June 28th, 2021

BETHEL, NY- In an effort of speed and fate, Joey Payne in Paul Dodorico’s #55 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D, CheckerWon Manufacturing Spitfire Chassis earned a thrilling victory in the $670 to win Joe Payne Sr. Memorial this weekend at Bethel Motor Speedway. 

This past off-season, The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels lost one of their own, with the passing of Joe Payne Sr. Members of the ATQMRA collaborated to honor Payne this weekend at Bethel Motor Speedway. Bethel was the last speedway Payne Sr. ever attended, to watch his grandsons compete in November of 2019.

Many eyes were on Payne Sr.‘s son, Joey Payne, who earned a one-off deal with series regular Paul Dodorico. Payne started the evening off strong by earning the first heat race victory of the evening. Joey Bailey would go on to win the second heat. With the #55 car’s handicap, Payne earned the pole position for the 25 lap feature.

After an emotional missing man formation with John Payne pacing the field in his TQ Midget, the action started off hot and heavy at the drop of the green flag. 

Payne held off outside pole sitter and RYNO Classifieds Rookie Contender Tyler Ferris. Ferris and the #33 Hamer Heating and Cooling TQ Midget made their debut at Bethel this weekend. 

An early caution for fellow RYNO Rookie Contender, Brianna Page and the #76 A&A Truck Parts, Stavola Companies TQ Midget had an early solo spin to bunch the field up after completing one lap. 

On the following restart, Ryan Tidman in the 51T entry for Alan Mollot made an aggressive three-wide move to the inside of Payne and Ferris on the exit of turn two. Joey Bailey in the #1B Boyd Chassis tried to follow Tidman through. However, Bailey misjudged the timing of his move, as Tidman went for the lead underneath Payne. This caused the two cars to collide and spin into the infield. After pitting for repairs, both drivers would continue in the race. 

On the restart, Kyle Taraska’s #22 Chick-fil-A, Personal Comfort TQ Midget made an daring move to the inside of leader Joey Payne, forcing a three-wide move into turn one. The move paid the greatest dividends for Ferris, who stormed to the lead around the outside of the second turn. However, the glory of the lead was short lived as the Buddy Sload overtook Ferris in the third turn. Sload the  took a commanding lead as he looked to extend his feature win streak to four in a row.

Taraska and Ferris would battle hard for second with Taraska eventually earning the spot. Payne and the #95 Behrents Performance Machine of Jeff Kot battled it out in the latter half of the top-5. In the meantime, Bailey and Tidman began to charge through the field making up for lost ground.

In what appeared to be another runaway victory for Sload’s #36 Spitfire Chassis Team, an ultimate flat right front tire sent Sload hard into the outside guardrail in the first turn. Thankfully, Sload walked away from the incident healthy. In a major turn of events, it was Kyle Taraska who inherited the lead once the red flag was lifted, setting up a three-lap shoutout to the finish with Joey Payne restarting second. 

On the restart, Taraska commanded the lead briefly until he slipped up on the exit of the second turn. This opened the door for the determined Payne to regain the lead in what he described this week as “the most important race of his life.”

Taraska and Payne raced wheel to wheel down Bethel’s backstretch, as Payne cleared Taraska into turn 3. Payne slipped as Taraska attempted the cross-over but couldn’t get the traction to make the move work. In an absolute thriller of a finish, Payne came back around holding off Boyd Racing teammates Taraska and Bailey to earn the coveted victory in the $670 to win Joe Payne Memorial Race.

In a heartbreaker, Kyle Taraska earned a second place finish. Joey Bailey rounded out the podium. 

Jeff Kot would finish in fourth and Ryan Tidman finishing fifth. 

Tyler Ferris was the RYNO Classifieds Rookie of the Race, edging out fellow Rookie Contender Tyler Wagner. Wagner had a busy day competing triple duty across three divisions. Both drivers finished sixth and seventh respectively.

Kudos to Steve Craig, after having an engine expire on him at Waterford one week ago, made the quick turn around to make the trip to Bethel to earn an eighth place finish. What a valiant effort by the racing veteran. 

Bobby Watkins brought his #91 Badger out for his first show of 2021. Many folks in the pit area were pleased to have Bobby back behind the wheel this weekend as he earned a ninth place finish. 

While Joey Payne might have stolen the spotlight, the evening of racing would have been no where near as special without the attendance of Joey Payne III. Payne III made his first start of the 2021 season in his grandfather’s memorial race, driving the famous #67. While Payne may of had a quiet night behind the wheel, he went on to earn a 10th place finish. Payne III kept his nose clean and brought the car home in one piece, doing his grandfather and family proud. While not in the running order this weekend, it was great to have Joey III’s brother and ATQMRA regular Anthony Payne in attendance to support the event. Even car owner Michael Murray was seen in the pit area as well. 

Brianna Page unfortunately experienced overheating issues during the red flag period, ending her evening prematurely in 11th. Buddy Sload rounded out the 12 car field with his noted right front issue. 

This weekend was all for the Payne Family. With a storied history of open-wheel racing, particularly ATQMRA TQ Midgets dating back to the 1960’s, it was an honor to have so many family members on-site to celebrate the life of Joe Payne Sr. Saturday will certainly go down as a historic evening for not only the family, but the ATQMRA as a whole. 

To commemorate the event, a special plaque was presented to Joey Payne in a trophy presentation in victory lane, as well as a large $670 check featuring livery in his late-father’s honor. 

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP Racing Fuels will celebrate Independence Day weekend with no racing, prior to returning to Bethel Motor Speedway on Saturday July 10th, 2021.

Joe Payne Sr. Memorial Race Results

Heat 1:

1. #55 Joey Payne

2. #36 Buddy Sload

3. #95 Jeff Kot

4. #22 Kyle Taraska

5. #55C Steve Craig

6. #67 Joey Payne III

Heat 2:

1. #1B Joey Bailey

2. #33 Tyler Ferris*

3. #51T Ryan Tidman

4. #32 Tyler Wagner*

5. #76 Brianna Page*

6. #91 Bobby Watkins

Feature:

1. #55 Joey Payne

2. #22 Kyle Taraska

3. #1B Joey Bailey

4. #95 Jeff Kot

5. #51T Ryan Tidman

6. #33 Tyler Ferris*

7. #32 Tyler Wagner*

8. #55C Steve Craig

9. #91 Bobby Watkins

10. #67 Joey Payne III

11. #76 Brianna Page*

12. #36 Buddy Sload

*RYNO Classifieds Rookie Contender