YODER WINS FIRST CAREER FEATURE AT WALL

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YODER WINS FIRST CAREER FEATURE AT WALL

Staff Report | Monday, August 15th, 2022

(Kristen Cocca Photography)

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- After years of triumph and dedication, Mark Yoder and the #75 Ames Construction Team brought home their first career feature victory at Wall Stadium Speedway this past weekend!

The Hooiser Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels completed their 8th feature across 7 weekends of racing this past Saturday at Wall Stadium Speedway.

In a career night for many, Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ Absolute Control Dog Training) set the tone of the evening by dominating the first feature. Burd backed up his career night with a top-5 run in the feature, making him the RYNO Rookie of the Race. The Burd Racing Team continues to improve and has made recent strides in their TQ Midget Program.

Buddy Sload earned the second feature win of the evening. It was not a status quo day for Sload by any means. After experiencing continued mechanical problems, the 36 Spitfire Chassis Team was not able to take the green in any racing events. Sload was able to graciously work out a deal with Paul Dodorico and Ryan Tidman to give the #99 Dodorico Racing entry a run. This was a debut race for this chassis under the Dodorico banner.

Mark Yoder drew the pole with Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) on his outside. Bobby Watkins (#91) made his return to the ATQMRA this weekend. After a great run in his heat race, Watkins’ evening was slightly derailed when he self-spun out of turn two on the initial start of the race. The spin collected Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort). Both cars recovered with minimal damage and continued after a complete restart of the race.

Mark Yoder set a fast pace right out of the gate making huge improvements to their chassis throughout the afternoon. Yoder had to hold off the likes of Sload, and young guns Tyler Ferris (#33 Hamer Heating and Cooling) and Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ ACDT), both of whom had career runs.

The tricky turn two caught previous week’s feature winner Brianna Page (#76 A&A Trucking/ Stavola/ Hamer Heating) who went around for a self-spin battling for position. Page had to fight hard to pass cars after being forced to start at the rear of “qualified” cars. Brianna still recovered exceptionally well for a sixth-place finish.

One more caution near the halfway point came out as Jeff Kot’s (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) tough luck of a season continued. While running well into the top-5 after starting shotgun on the field, Kot fought throttle cable issues throughout the afternoon which is believed to had derailed his efforts in the feature.

The double-file restart set up another fantastic race to the finish. Yoder brought the field down with Ferris to his outside. Ferris would ultimately make a move on Yoder diving to his inside. Ferris dove in too far overshooting the corner entry, allowing Yoder to crossover to the lead in turn 2.

The move was costly for Ferris’ opportunity to win as Buddy Sload slid into the second position. While Sload hunted down Yoder in the closing laps, he was no match for the #75 Ames Construction team as Mark Yoder went on to score his first career ATQMRA Feature Victory.

Buddy Sload earned second and Tyler Ferris earned a career high third place finish for the #33 Hamer Heating and Cooling Team; a career best finish.

Kyle Taraska’s eventful evening ended in fourth. After earning his first career best race victory, Zack Burd was this week’s RYNO Rookie of the Race finishing 5th. Burd was another driver to have a career night, battling up front and remained in contention to win for the duration of the feature.

Brianna Page, who was forced to start near the rear of the field as last race’s winner, had a respectable run and recovery to finish 6th. Steve Craig continues to find the proper speed and balance in his machine to earn a competitive seventh.

Chris Allen made his return to the ATQMRA in the #19 Malik Racing Entry to finish 8th. In Bobby Watkin’s return, he recovered from an early spin to finish 9th. Chris Pelcher, after making the long trip east from Pittsburgh, PA, rounded out the top-10.

Rich Barlow and Jeff Kot rounded out the 12-car field respectively with mechanical issues.

Mark Yoder of Ephrata, PA, whose career has expanded almost a decade in the ATQMRA finally earned his well-deserved first career feature victory. The single car team features Mark as the driver and lead mechanic, headed by Crew Chief and father, Bill.

Mark is the second “first time winner” in as many feature races in a highly competitive division of racing. This weekend, the fastest lap of 7 of the 12 cars were within .150 seconds of each other.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to action this Saturday, August 20th, at Mahoning Valley Speedway.


RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (25 laps):

1. #75 Mark Yoder

2. #99 Buddy Sload

3. #33 Tyler Ferris

4. #22 Kyle Taraska

5. #5z Zack Burd

6. #76 Brianna Page

7. #55 Steve Craig

8. #19M Chris Allen

9. #91 Bobby Watkins

10. #44P Chris Pelcher

11. #09 Rich Barlow

12. #95 Jeff Kot

FEATURE FAST FACTS:

Time of Race: 10:10.377

Leader(s): 1

Lap Leader(s): #75 Yoder (25)

Cautions: 3

RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Burd (5th)

Hoosier Hot Lap: #33 Ferris 13.173

VP Hard Charger: #22 Taraska (+5)

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Brianna Page Scores First Career ATQMRA Feature Victory at Wall Stadium

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Brianna Page Scores First Career ATQMRA Feature Victory at Wall Stadium

(#76 Team celebrates in victory lane: Sean Case Photo)

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Brianna Page has etched her name into the history books by earning her first career Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels feature victory at Wall Stadium Speedway this weekend!

After a summer break, the stars of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels were back in action at Wall Stadium Speedway for “NAPA Night” presented by Brice’s Auto Supply in Freehold, NJ.

An action-packed first heat with multiple on-track incidents saw “The Jerzy Jet” Joey Payne earn the victory in first heat race racing Alan Mollot’s #51 Lindblad Badger. This was Payne’s first ATQMRA start of the 2022 season.

There was no sophomore slump for any drivers tonight as Tyler Ferris scored his first career heat race victory in the #33 Hamer Heating and Cooling TQ Midget. Ferris held off Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) to earn the 8-lap victory in second heat race of the evening.

With a new handicap system being introduced, the previous feature’s top-4 finishers can start no better at the rear of the qualified cars who redraw for position. This system will remain enforced for the remainder of the 2022 ATQMRA championship points season.

Cole Mullen (#73 Geese Patrol, Mullen Garage Services) led the “sweet” field of 16 to green fCole Mullen (#73 Geese Patrol, Mullen Garage Services) led the “sweet” field of 16 to green for the 25 lap feature.r the 25 lap feature.

Brianna was on a mission jumping to the lead on lap one from the 3rd starting position fighting to get by pole sitter Cole and outside pole sitter Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction). Brianna broke away to almost a half straightway lead, but it was Cole Mullen in second who kept Brianna honest. Cole had a career night maintaining a top-2 running position for majority of the feature. It was certainly one of his best runs since he earned his first career ATQMRA feature victory in 2018.

(#76 Brianna Page leads #73 Cole Mullen and #95 Jeff Kot: Sean Case Photo)

Brianna maintained a fast pace, but there was tight racing throughout the field behind her. The hardest chargers were heat race winner Tyler Ferris and Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) who battled their way up through the field from the 9th and 11th respectively.

There was a late race caution due to the spinning Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet) caused by contact from another vehicle. This incident would set the stage for a five lap shootout to the finish.

Page earned a great jump out of the restart zone taking advantage of the single file order behind her. Taraska was on the hunt diving under Cole Mullen for second in turn one.

Taraska charged hard, closing the gap on Page lap after lap to the finish. His effort was not enough as Brianna Page went on to score her first career feature victory in a thriller of a finish!

Taraska finished 2nd earning the evening’s VP Hard Charger Award.

After experiencing brake issues all afternoon, Jeff Kot put together one of his strongest runs of the season together to round out the podium. Kot maintained great track position after experiencing contact with Taraska while battling for position just past the halfway point of the race.

(#22 Taraska and #95 Kot battle for position: Sean Case Photo)

Speaking of strong runs, enough cannot be said about Cole Mullen running a competitive fourth. This weekend was a statement run for the #73 team. Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) had a relatively quiet evening for their team’s standards, but still earned a great fifth place finish.

Tyler Ferris arguably had a career night in the ATQMRA by backing up his heat race win with a sixth place finish. Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) finished seventh and Joey Payne finished eight, both driving for Alan Mollot Racing.

(Mollot Racing Teammates Matt Janisch and Joey Payne, racing #75 Yoder and #55 Craig for position: Sean Case Photo)

Sprint car star Zack Bealer (#12, MJ12 Motorsports) made his ATQMRA debut this weekend earning a 9th place finish. Zack put together a great run after starting at the rear of the field. Zack was this weekend’s RYNO Rookie of the Race. Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) rounded out the top-10.

Brianna Page fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a feature winner, particularly at her home-track of Wall Stadium Speedway. Page, a graduate of the Garden State Quarter Midget Club at “Little Wall” received a standing ovation from many in attendance. Page is the second female (Alison Sload being the other) to win an ATQMRA feature event in the over sixty year history of the organization.

After years of triumph, Brianna has finally received the strong support system she has always desired. The support comes not only from her family, but her primary sponsors which include Stavola Contracting, A&A Truck Parts, Pete and Elda’s, Van Wickle NAPA, Extreme Wheel Repair and newly signed race day sponsor, Hamer Heating and Cooling.

Brianna held of a strong car count and a highly competitive field with over half the teams racing within .262 seconds of each other. Brianna dominated the evening of racing leading all 25 laps, earning her first career feature victory in style. The 2021 RYNO Rookie of the Year has a bright future in the ATQMRA.

The ATQMRA extends their sincere gratitude to the Brice Family and Brice’s Auto Supply for sponsoring all teams in attendance of buckets filled with essential products to help competitors maintain their race cars week in and week out.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels will take one week off before returning to Wall Stadium on Saturday, August 13th, 2022.

(#76 Brianna Page, ATQMRA Feature Winner: Sean Case Photo)


RACE RESULTS:

Feature (25 laps):

#76 Brianna Page

#22 Kyle Taraska

#95 Jeff Kot

#73 Cole Mullen

#36 Buddy Sload

#33 Tyler Ferris

#51J Matt Janisch

#51 Joey Payne

#12 Zack Bealer

#55 Steve Craig

#39 Ronnie Mullen

#75 Mark Yoder

#27 Robert Willis

#5z Zack Burd

#09 Rich Barlow

#723 Mike Turton


Heat Race 1 (8 laps):

#51 Joey Payne

#36 Buddy Sload

#39 Ronnie Mullen

#75 Mark Yoder

#73 Cole Mullen

#09 Rich Barlow

#27 Robert Willis

#723 Mike Turton


Heat Race 2 (8 laps):

#33 Tyler Ferris

#95 Jeff Kot

#22 Kyle Taraska

#12 Zack Bealer

#76 Brianna Page

#55 Steve Craig

#51J Matt Janisch

#5z Zack Burd

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TARASKA WINS IN WALL PHOTO FINISH; JJ LANE MEMORIAL

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TARASKA WINS IN WALL PHOTO FINISH; JJ LANE MEMORIAL

(#22 Kyle Taraska & #1B Joey Bailey taking the checkered flag, MOV .044: Sean Case Photo

Staff Report | Monday, June 27th, 2022
Photo Credits: Sean Case, Tommy Lane

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Kyle Taraska has won the 3rd Annual JJ Lane Memorial this weekend in an one lap shootout and photo finish with teammate Joey Bailey.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels 3rd Annual JJ Lane Memorial is a marquee event on the series and speedway calendar. Highlighted by the legacy of late-Wall Stadium Speedway photographer JJ Lane. Many other late-members of the ATQMRA community are honored as well. These members include Bob Emmons, Bob Menschner, Bud Sload and Shawn Erm.

Fans were excited to meet the stars of the ATQMRA during a pre-race autograph session presented by Brice’s NAPA Auto Supply. Drivers spent approximately 30 minutes on the concourse meeting and greeting fans prior to the on-track action taking place.

(The "Class" of the 3rd Annual JJ Lane Memorial: Tommy Lane Photo)

For the first time since the event’s inception, the race followed a “Turkey Derby” style format with “Group Time Trial Qualifying” and a 30 lap feature. Ryan Tidman (#55 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D) earned the $100 Bud Sload Fast Time Award for posting the fastest time of the session (13.017). Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) earned the second quickest time of the session (13.126) locking both drivers in the first three rows of the redraw of the 18 car field.

Each driver would redraw 6th and 4th respectively, and Steve Craig (#55C Craig Bulk Carriers) redrew the pole.

After an emotional on-track ceremony with the ATQMRA teams, highlighted by a missing four man salute honoring those we have lost, Steve Craig led the field to the green flag and the race was on!

Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) jumped to an early lead with Taraska battling hard with Craig for second. Quick time qualifier Ryan Tidman and Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) came together in a hard fought battle inside the top five on lap three. Both drivers would recover and be contenders by the end of the race. However, the flat left rear on Kot’s #95 machine continues a string of tough luck for his team in recent weeks.

(#36 Buddy Sload leads the 18 car field: Tommy Lane Photo)

(#22 Kyle Taraska & #1B Joey Bailey race hard coming to the checkered: Tommy Lane Photo)

On the restart, familiar faces were racing for the lead with championship favorites Sload and Taraska leading the field. The series' two-time defending champion Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Chassis) stuck right with the leaders as they broke away from the field, approaching lapped traffic. Bailey would race closely with teammate Taraska as they hunted down the leader Buddy Sload.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically as Sload and RYNO Rookie of the Year championship points leader Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet) came together with only three laps remaining. The racing incident sent both drivers to the back of the field, as Taraska was the beneficiary inheriting the lead from second.

On the restart, the Boyd Speed Shop put on a show for the fans not once, but twice! Bailey was able to poke his nose under Taraska off of turn two but Taraska held off Bailey coming back to the white flag.

As Taraska came off of turn four to take the checkered with the victory in hand, the caution flew yet again for a turn two incident involving RYNO Rookie Contenders Rich Barlow (#09) and Chris Pelcher (#44P). Both cars would continue, as the caution set up a one lap shootout to the finish.

On what felt like an encore from the previous restart, Bailey again was able to get a nose under Taraska off of two. This time, Bailey didn’t give Taraska a break. Both drivers would drive their cars hard into turn three, with Ryan Tidman charging from third.

Bailey slipped high as Taraska dove underneath in a crossover move coming off of turn four to the checkered flag! Kyle Taraska would edge Joey Bailey in a photo finish as both cars came across the line side by side! The margin of victory was merely .044 seconds, one of the closest in ATQMRA history.

(#36 Buddy Sload leads the 18 car field: Tommy Lane Photo)

This was the second 1-2 finish for the Boyd Speed Shop this season, as Bailey led Taraska to victory at Evergreen Raceway Park last month.

Ryan Tidman recovered extremely well from an early race incident for third. Former Champion Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) made a strong and consistent run in fourth. This was Janisch’s first race back after suffering injuries in a TQ Midget racing incident in Syracuse, NY, at the Indoor Auto Racing Series event this past March. It was great to have Matt back healthy and behind the wheel.

After dominating much of the feature, Buddy Sload rounded out the top five finishers.

Jeff Kot recovered from a flat left rear to a highly respectable sixth. Brianna Page’s (#76, A&A Truck Parts, Stavola) results on paper do not represent how strong she ran this weekend and as of late. A last lap incident ruined another top five finish for her, earning a seventh. Page continues to impress in her full time sophomore season.

Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) earned another top ten finish as his consistency keeps Mark near the top of championship standings. Mark currently sits fourth in points heading into the summer break on the cusp of breaking into the podium.

The Rocket Ronnie Mullen (#39 Mullens Garage) finished ninth place in a strong eighteen car field. The Mullen Family are long time supporters of Wall Stadium and the ATQMRA and it was great to see “The Rocket” have a strong run in front of the hometown crowd.

Rich Barlow continued to close in on taking the top spot in RYNO Rookie of the Year Standings as this week’s RYNO Rookie of the Race. Barlow ran what he described as his career best race earning a tenth place finish.

For the fifth event in a row, the top spot in championship standings changes with Kyle Taraska regaining the lead with a slim margin over Buddy Sload.

Taraska, Sload, and many more stars of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels will be back in action after a “summer recess,” taking place over the next month. The ATQMRA returns on July 30th, 2022 at Wall Stadium Speedway for “NAPA Night” presented by Brice’s Auto Supply.

(Kyle Taraska and Tommy Lane in victory lane: Sean Case Photo)

RACE RESULTS:

30 Lap Feature:
1. #22 Kyle Taraska
2. #1B Joey Bailey
3. #55 Ryan Tidman
4. #51J Matt Janisch
5. #36 Buddy Sload
6. #95 Jeff Kot
7. #76 Brianna Page
8. #75 Mark Yoder
9. #39 Ronnie Mullen
10. #09 Rich Barlow
11. #44P Chris Pelcher
12. #73 Cole Mullen
13. #2 Mike Glaser
14. #723 Mike Turton
15. #5z Zack Burd
16. #33 Tyler Ferris
17. #91 Derek Hopkinson
18. #55C Steve Craig

Time Trial Results (time) (redraw):
1. #55 Ryan Tidman (13.017) (6)
2. #22 Kyle Taraska (13.126) (4)
3. #1B Joey Bailey (13.168) (7)
4. #36 Buddy Sload (13.189) (2)
5. #76 Brianna Page (13.367) (8)
6. #95 Jeff Kot (13.387) (3)
7. #33 Tyler Ferris (13.431) (5)
8. #51J Matt Janisch (13.603) (9)
9. #75 Mark Yoder (13.624) (10)
10. #55C Steve Craig (13.633) (1)
11. #5z Zack Burd (13.659)
12. #73 Cole Mullen (13.692)
13. #39 Ronnie Mullen (13.755)
14. #44P Chris Pelcher (13.978)
15. #09 Rich Barlow (14.030)
16. #2 Mike Glaser (14.073)
17. #723 Mike Turton (14.606)
18. #91 Derek Hopkinson (no time)

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 17:53.571
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #36 Sload (28) #22 Taraska (2)
Cautions: 3
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #09 Barlow (10th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #36 Sload 13.183
VP Hard Charger: #1B Bailey | #51J Janisch (+5 each)

Bonus Award Winners:
Bud Sload Fast Time: #55 Tidman ($100)
Bob Emmons Up and Comer: #76 Page ($100)
Shawn Erm Quarter Midget Club: #1B Bailey ($100)
Bob Menschner 8th: #75 Yoder ($50)
Bob Menschner 10th: #09 Barlow ($50)

Next Race: NAPA Night presented by Brice’s Auto Supply on Saturday July 30th, 2022 at Wall Stadium Speedway, NJ

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Sload Sweeps at Wall; Twin 20 Features

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Sload Sweeps at Wall; Twin 20 Features

Staff Report | Monday, June 6th, 2022
Photography: Eric Storch, Sean Case

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Buddy Sload earned a clean sweep of the field by winning both Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels features at Wall Stadium Speedway this weekend.

Under unique circumstances, fourteen of the best in TQ Midget competitors competed under a Twin-20 Feature format for this weekend’s Garden State Classic. Under the format, no heats were run and the first feature was lined up by pill draw based on owners points.

Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance) drew the pole for the first feature race and stormed off to an early race lead. Kot’s fortune quickly turned into misfortune. Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Chassis) entered turn one hot, spinning both himself and Kot in an early, intense battle for the lead.

Bailey and Kot would both regroup, charge through the field, but it wasn’t enough to make up the time lost to eventual winner Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis).

From victory lane, Sload picked pill six, signifying a top-six invert for the second feature. In what had quickly become a race of redemption, Jeff Kot would one again be on the pole after the invert.

On the start, Sload looked like he was shot out of a cannon from the outside of row three. Sload quickly made up ground lost in the invert and jumped from sixth to second by the end of lap one.

Kot would not be denied out of the lead, challenging Sload nerf bar to nerf bar down the backstretch. Impressively, Sload would eventually grab the lead and run away from the field. However, this did not deny fans of intense racing throughout the remainder of the field.

Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts, Stavola) continues to come into her own. While Page consistently ran in the top-5 in both features, a long lasting battle between Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) and Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) brought the fans to their feet in a tight fourth place battle in the second feature.

While the two and sometimes three wild battle for fourth took place, newly initiated rivals Kot and Bailey put on a show for second. If Kot gave it a 100% effort to hold off Sload, he gave 110% effort to hold off Bailey after their recent on-track incident. Kot was ultimately able to hold off Bailey in a “photo finish” for second in the final feature of the evening.

In a thrilling evening of tight racing and a unique format, Buddy Sload continued his reign on Wall Stadium picking up his second and third feature victories of the 2022 Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels season. Sload has also regained the points lead in a tight battle with Kyle Taraska. Sload will enter the JJ Lane Memorial, a race he is the two-time defending champion of, with a four point lead over Taraska.

The 3rd Annual JJ Lane Memorial returns to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, June 25th, 2022. The ATQMRA looks to honor the legacy of not only the late photographer, but of those who we have recently lost within our racing community.

The event will be highlighted by a 30 lap feature and a time trial format to set the starting line up. The stars of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels will host an autograph session to all fans in attendance on the concourse, prior to the feature race.


RACE RESULTS:Wall 6-4-22

FEATURE 1 (20 LAPS):
1. #36 Buddy Sload
2. #1B Joey Bailey
3. #22 Kyle Taraska
4. #76 Brianna Page
5. #75 Mark Yoder
6. #95 Jeff Kot
7. #5z Zack Burd
8. #55cSteve Craig
9. #73 Cole Mullen
10. #39 Ronnie Mullen
11. #19m Chris Allen
12. #09 Rich Barlow
13. #723 Mike Turton
14. #44P Chris Pelcher

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 7:25.792
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #36 Sload (18) #95 Kot (2)
Cautions: 1
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (7th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #1B Bailey 13.150
VP Hard Charger: #36 Sload (+5)

FEATURE 1 (20 LAPS):
1. #36 Buddy Sload
2. #95 Jeff Kot
3. #1B Joey Bailey
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #76 Brianna Page
6. #75 Mark Yoder
7. #55C Steve Craig
8. #5z Zack Burd
9. #73 Cole Mullen
10. #39 Ronnie Mullen
11. #19m Chris Allen
12. #09 Rich Barlow
13. #44P Chris Pelcher
14. #723 Mike Turton

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 4:26.597
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #36 Sload (15) #95 Kot (5)
Cautions: 0
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (8th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #22 Taraska (13.067)
VP Hard Charger: #36 Sload (+5)
Next Race: Wall Stadium June 25th (3rd Annual JJ Lane Memorial)

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TARASKA DOMINATES AT WALL; WIRE TO WIRE VICTORY

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TARASKA DOMINATES AT WALL; WIRE TO WIRE VICTORY

Staff Report | Monday, May 23rd, 2022 

Photo Credit: Eric Storch, Kristen Cocca 

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Kyle Taraska (#22, Personal Comfort) led all twenty five laps to earn a dominating victory at Wall Stadium Speedway this weekend! 

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels raced on a hot and slick surface for the third race of the 2022 campaign at Wall Stadium Speedway this past Saturday. A great crowd was in attendance as many gathered for the pre-race “Party on the Track.” Fans were able to meet many personalities across all Wall Stadium divisions and see their cars up close!

“Flyin” Ryan Tidman made his return to the cockpit driving Paul Dodorico’s #55 Dr. Martha Baker Spitfire Chassis. Tidman drove the car to victory in first heat race. Kyle Taraska won the second heat race of the evening. 

Cole Mullen (#73, BGF) drew the pole for the twenty five lap feature and led the field to green. Taraska started outside pole and timed a great restart as he raced wheel to wheel with Mullen into turn one. Taraska would clear Mullen and set sail from there.

Tidman made some daring moves to the inside multiple times, jumping to second by the end of lap two. At that moment, C. Mullen settled for third as Brianna Page (#76 Stavola, A&A Truck) and Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) banged nerf bars for fourth. 

The top three would eventually settle into position with Taraska on the point, Tidman second and Sload in third. This did not dismiss the fact of additional great battles throughout the remainder of the field. 

Brick, NJ drivers Mullen and Page battled hard for fourth, with Page earning the position. Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) and Tyler Wagner (#51, Lindblad Badger) had another tight battle throughout the evening just outside the top five. Both drivers had their best showings of 2022 so far. 

While action on the track was just as hot as the weather itself, Taraska proved to be too much to handle for the field. The #22 team led from green to checkered to score their first feature victory of the season! This was the second victory of the Boyd Speed Shop within the last two weeks. 

Tidman, Sload, Page and Cole Mullen rounded out the top five. Mark Yoder finished sixth.

Tyler Wagner was this weekend’s RYNO Rookie of the Race finishing 7th for Alan Mollot Racing.

Zach Burd was the last car to finish on the lead lap in 8th. Steve Craig and Robert Willis, making his first start of the season, rounded out the top-10 respectively.

Scott Ferris, substituting for his son Tyler Ferris, gave the Hamer Heating and Cooling TQ Midget a great run, finishing in 11th. Rich Barlow, Ronnie Mullen, and Chris Allen rounded out the field. Mike Turton experienced mechanical issues in practice that did not permit him to run the feature. 

Kyle Taraska is the third feature winner through three events this season. With this victory, Taraska has also taken over the points lead in championship standings; the third time the top spot has changed this year as well. 

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, June 4th for the annual Garden State Classic weekend. The ATQMRA will be reintroducing a twin-20 feature format for the event.


RACE RESULTS:

25 Lap Feature:

1. #22 Kyle Taraska 

2. #55 Ryan Tidman 

3. #36 Buddy Sload 

4. #76 Brianna Page 

5. #73 Cole Mullen 

6. #75 Mark Yoder 

7. #51 Tyler Wagner 

8. #5z Zack Burd 

9. #55C Steve Craig 

10. #27 Robert Willis 

11. #33 Scott Ferris 

12. #09 Rich Barlow 

13. #39 Ronnie Mullen 

14. #19M Chris Allen 

15. #723 Mike Turton -DNS 


FEATURE FAST FACTS:

Time of Race: 5:34.268

Leader(s): 1

Lap Leader(s): #22 Taraska (25)

Cautions: 0

RYNO Rookie of the Race: Tyler Wagner (7th)

Hoosier Hot Lap: #22 Taraska 

VP Hard Charger: #36 Sload (+5)

Next Race: Wall Stadium June 4th (Twin 20s)


Heat Race 1 (8 laps): 

1. #55 Ryan Tidman

2. #36 Buddy Sload 

3. #5z Zack Burd 

4. #33 Scott Ferris 

5. #27 Robert Willis 

6. #75 Mark Yoder 

7. #09 Rich Barlow 

8.     #723 Mike Turton -DNS


Heat Race 2 (8 laps):

1. #22 Kyle Taraska 

2. #76 Brianna Page 

3. #73 Cole Mullen 

4. #51 Tyler Wagner 

5. #55C Steve Craig 

6. #39 Ronnie Mullen 

7. #19M Chris Allen 

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