TARASKA EARNS THIRD WIN OF SEASON; CLIFF KRAUSE MEMORIAL

Kyle Taraska hoists the VP Checkered Flag in Wall Stadium Victory Lane for the third time this season; Sean Case Photo

Staff Report | Monday, August 29th, 2022
Photography Credit: Sean Case & Eric Storch

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) earned his third feature victory of the season this weekend at the prestigious Cliff Krause Memorial at Wall Stadium Speedway.

Fifteen of the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuel’s finest supported Wall Stadium Speedway as they honored the man who is often credited for “saving” the facility, Cliff Krause. While Cliff may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on. Wall Stadium continues to thrive to this day thanks to Cliff’s wife Diane and children Emily and Andrew.

A strong crowd on hand during opening ceremonies for the Cliff Krause Memorial on 8/27/22; Sean Case Photo

Cliff’s dream once again came to fruition this weekend as fans packed the facility and strong car counts were seen across all divisions.

Both the speedway and ATQMRA also celebrated the life of long-time victory lane photographer Pat McKee, who passed away last weekend. Many members of the McKee family were in attendance for the event.

Zack Burd leads 14 of his closest friends into turn 3 at Wall Stadium Speedway; Sean Case Photo

Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ ACDT Dog Training) continued his recent momentum as he has been showing consistent competitive speed since the series’ return from the summer break. Zack won the first heat of the evening in dominating fashion and drew lucky number one earning the pole for the 27-lap feature. Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) sliced and diced his way up through the field to win the second heat race of the evening. Sload was considered an “invert driver” based on his Mahoning Valley feature results last week. Sload started 10th on the grid.

At the drop of the green, Burd jumped out to the lead, but the competition stayed tight on his tail. For much of the opening stages, a blanket could be thrown over leader Burd, second place Cole Mullen (#73 Geese Patrol, BGF) and Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts, Stavola, Hamer Heating & Cooling). The tension could be felt throughout the packed grandstand as Burd was on the hunt for his first career Feature victory.

Joey Payne finding grip in the top groove in the #99 Paul Dodorico Racing entry; Sean Case Photo

While the top-3 stayed tight in a pack, a storm was brewing in the “second” pack. Championship points leader Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) led “The Jerzy Jet” Joey Payne (#99 Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D) methodically through the field in an effort to chase down the leaders.

Lap after lap and one by one, Taraska picked off positions three, two and one as Payne remained right on his rear bumper. Taraska and Payne battled amongst each other as well as the rest of the competition throughout the race.

Race winning move! Taraska steals the lead from Burd in the closing laps; Eric Storch Photo

On lap 22, driver 22 made his move on leader Burd entering turn 1. Taraska and Burd would drag race nerf bar to nerf bar down the backstretch. Taraska cleared Burd off turn four to take the lead in the closing stages. Payne would clear Burd soon after. While Payne was able to close the gap on Taraska, he ran out of laps as Kyle Taraska went on to win an action-packed ATQMRA Cliff Krause Memorial!

Joey Payne earned second. Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Chassis) made his first ATQMRA start since June this weekend. Bailey gave it a great run for the Boyd Family to be able to round out the podium after starting ninth on the grid.

Joey Bailey and Mark Yoder race hard for position; Eric Storch Photo

Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) had a quiet but strong fourth place finish for Mollot Racing. Zack Burd faded late after leading 21 laps. However, the RYNO Rookie of the Race was able to hang onto a top-5 finish (5th).

After running much of the race within the top-3, Cole Mullen and Brianna Page finished 6th and 7th respectively.

Jeff Kot chasing after Buddy Sload; Sean Case Photo

Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) finished 8th. Last week’s Mahoning Valley winner Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) finished 9th. Tyler Ferris (#33 Hamer Heating and Cooling) recovered from a pre-race grid mechanical issue to finish in 10th.

The remaining feature finishers include Mark Yoder (11th), Steve Craig (12th), Ronnie Mullen (13th), Mike Glaser (14th) and Mike Turton (15th).

A new look for Mike Glaser Aqua Solutions/Gutter Master Lafler Chassis this weekend; Sean Case Photo

Kyle Taraska is the second driver in ATQMRA history to win all three Crown Jewel Wall Stadium Speedway events. Those events being Turkey Derby, the JJ Lane Memorial and this weekend’s Cliff Krause Memorial. The only other driver to accomplish this feat is Buddy Sload.

Checkered flag in the air; Eric Storch Photo

Taraska and Sload will continue their championship duel at Evergreen Raceway Park in Drums, PA on Sunday, September 11th, 2022. Only three Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels championship points races remain this season.

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (27 LAPS):
1. #22 Kyle Taraska
2. #99 Joey Payne
3. #1B Joey Bailey
4. #51J Matt Janisch
5. #5z Zack Burd
6. #73 Cole Mullen
7. #76 Brianna Page
8. #36 Buddy Sload
9. #95 Jeff Kot
10. #33 Tyler Ferris
11. #75 Mark Yoder
12. #55 Steve Craig
13. #39 Ronnie Mullen
14. #2 Mike Glaser
15. #723 Mike Turton

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HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #5z Zack Burd
2. #99 Joey Payne
3. #73 Cole Mullen
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #76 Brianna Page
6. #55 Steve Craig
7. #2 Mike Glaser
8. #723 Mike Turton

HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #36 Buddy Sload
2. #33 Tyler Ferris
3. #51J Matt Janisch
4. #1B Joey Bailey
5. #95 Jeff Kot
6. #75 Mark Yoder
7. #39 Ronnie Mullen

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 6:45.808
Leader(s): 2
Lap Leader(s): #5z Zack Burd (21) #22 Kyle Taraska (6)
Cautions: 0
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (5th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #99 Joey Payne 13.232
VP Hard Charger: #1B Joey Bailey (+6)
#22 Kyle Taraska (+6)
Next Race: Evergreen Raceway Park (9/11/22)

KOT SCHOOLS THE FIELD IN MAHONING VICTORY

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(Jeff Kot Celebrates in Victory Lane with the VP Racing Fuels Checkered Flag at Mahoning Valley Speedway- Sean Case Photo)

Staff Report | Monday, August 22, 2022

Photo Credit: Sean Case

LEHIGHTON, PA- Jeff Kot (#95 Behrents Performance Warehouse) earned his first feature victory of the season this weekend in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic fueled by VP Racing Fuel’s return to Mahoning Valley Speedway! The ATQMRA competed during the venue’s “Back to School Night” promotion.

The ATQMRA’s annual stop to Mahoning Valley provides a unique experience for the fans in attendance at Mahoning Valley, with average speeds of 100MPH on the 1/4 mile bullring. Many teams took advantage of an early practice during the midday to earn extra track time to dial in their set-ups prior to the evening of racing.

Geoffrey Sutton (#51 Lindblad Badger) returned to the ATQMRA this weekend racing for Alan Mollot and won the first heat race of the evening. It was a Mollot Racing sweep of the early afternoon with Matt Janisch (#51J Yuhas Chassis) winning heat number two. Jeff Kot drew the pole and led the field to green for the 25-lap feature.

The competition was tight and treacherous right out of the gate, with many cars battling three wide throughout the field before settling into position. While many battled for position, Jeff Kot showed no mercy on the field as he pulled away to a big lead.

Heat race winners Janisch and Sutton battled hard for position, racing wheel to wheel with Cole Mullen (#73 BGF, Geese Patrol) who continues to put impressive runs together this year.

(#73 Cole Mullen and #51J Matt Janisch battle for position: Sean Case Photo)

The tight racing throughout the field brought out the sole caution of the evening. Cole Mullen and Geoffrey Sutton rubbed nerf bars in turn two, sending Sutton into the infield. Neither vehicle experienced any damage from the incident, and both teams would go on to finish top-5 in the feature.

("One to go, single file restart" said Race Director Alex Greenzweig- Sean Case Photo)

The caution set up a late race single file restart with just under 10 laps to go. Kot got a great jump out of the box giving him some edge on the field. However, Matt Janisch stayed close to Kot’s bumper through the finish as he tried to reel the #95 car back in, as they gapped themselves from the cars behind! Both Kot and Janisch established themselves as the class of the field early in the race and it continued until the checkered flag was waved. Janisch gave it everything he had, but he was not a match for Jeff Kot in a thrilling finish!

(The "Class" of the field, #95 Jeff Kot holding off #51J Matt Janisch with #36 Buddy Sload in tow in the final laps- Sean Case Photo)

Jeff Kot dominated the race leading wire to wire to earn the feature victory of the season. Kot is the sixth feature winner of the 2022 ATQMRA season.

Kot thanked Hyper Racing, Behrents Performance Warehouse, Tom Frashetta, John Smith, The Case Family (Bill & Sean), Bud Tidman, and “Indoor” Don for all their efforts and support of the #95 Team.

Matt Janisch led the charge for Mollot Racing in second after putting his best run of the season together to-date.

Buddy Sload (#36 Spitfire Chassis) was this week’s VP Hard Charger methodically moving up from 9th to 3rd over the duration of the 25 lap feature. Sload put a great run together as he closed the gap on the championship points lead.

Geoffrey Sutton had a great showing and recovered from his earlier spin, to finish 4th in his return to the ATQMRA. Cole Mullen was a late-entry for the event and made the most of it earning a competitive top-5 finish.

Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) earned a 6th place finish, rounding out the lead lap finishers of the feature.

Previous race winner Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) finished 7th. Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) finished in 8th.

(The newest ATQMRA First-Time Feature Winner Mark Yoder battling "The Veteran" Steve Craig- Sean Case Photo)

Zack Burd (#5z Burlington Chevrolet/ ACDT Dog Training) was this week’s RYNO Rookie of the Race finishing in 9th. Chris Pelcher (#44p) rounded out the top-10 finishers after making the long haul from Pittsburgh, PA.

(The newest ATQMRA First-Time Feature Winner Mark Yoder battling "The Veteran" Steve Craig- Sean Case Photo)

Brianna Page (#76 A&A Truck Parts/ Stavola/ Hamer Heating & Cooling) experienced oil pressure issues throughout the afternoon. The Page Racing Team was credited with an 11th place finish.

(The #95 Behrents Performance Machine sits in victory lane after a hard fought victory at Mahoning- Sean Case Photo)

Jeff Kot will look to earn back-to-back feature victories in The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to Wall Stadium Speedway this Saturday, August 27th, 2022. The ATQMRA will take part in a special 27-lap feature to honor the-late Cliff Krause.

In a late breaking story, the ATQMRA recognizes the passing of Wall Stadium Speedway photographer Pat McKee. Pat was another familiar face at the speedway, taking victory lane photos for all teams each weekend. Pat passed away this weekend. He will be missed, and may he rest in peace.

Pat McKee, Wall Stadium Photographer

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE:
1. #95 Jeff Kot
2. #51J Matt Janisch
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #51 Geoffrey Sutton
5. #73 Cole Mullen
6. #22 Kyle Taraska
7. #75 Mark Yoder
8. #55 Steve Craig
9. #5z Zack Burd
10. #44P Chris Pelcher
11. #76 Brianna Page

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HEAT 1:
1. #51 Geoffrey Sutton
2. #95 Jeff Kot
3. #22 Kyle Taraska
4. #55 Steve Craig
5. #5z Zack Burd
6. #76 Brianna Page

HEAT 2:
1. #51J Matt Janisch
2. #73 Cole Mullen
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #75 Mark Yoder
5. #44P Chris Pelcher

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FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 6:07.768
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #95 Jeff Kot (25)
Cautions: 1
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Zack Burd (9th)
Hoosier Hot Lap: #95 Jeff Kot (9.392)
VP Hard Charger: #36 Buddy Sload (+6)
Next Race: The Cliff Krause Memorial @ Wall Stadium Speedway (8/27/22)

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.

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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)

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)

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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

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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

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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

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