Taraska Battles to Victory in Intense Wall Feature

Kyle Taraska celebrates with the main grandstand at Wall Stadium Speedway; Sean Case Photo

Robin Ervin, AARN & ATQMRA Staff Report | Monday, June 3rd, 2024

Photography Credit: Sean Case, Eric Storch

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ - Kyle Taraska earned a thrilling victory, in arguably one of the most competitive ATQMRA features on record this past weekend at Wall Stadium Speedway.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returned to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday for its third race of the 2024 season. This weekend’s event was the second race of the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout as well.

Ryan Tidman in the Burd Racing #5z entry won the opening heat race of the evening while Buddy Sload earned the victory in the second heat race. Buddy Sload would draw the feature pole while Tidman redrew the 8th starting position.

While Buddy Sload fired off from the pole for the 25 lap showdown, it was everything but a Saturday night drive into the sunset for car 36.

The ATQMRA feature was one for the ages. The race was exciting from the start with Buddy Sload fighting off Tyler Wagner for the lead. Wagner entered the event as the series points leader coming off his first career victory with the ATQMRA at Mahoning two weeks prior.

Jeff Kot (99), Steve Craig (55) and Kyle Taraska (22) battle 3 wide on the opening lap of the feature; Eric Storch Photo

Jeff Kot, with the fastest lap of the day, immediately raced his way to battling for the lead until he suddenly slowed on the backstretch two laps into the race. The caution waved as the rest of the field scattered to avoid him. Kot was done for the night with a broken driveshaft. The incident ended an impressive streak for Paul Dodorico Racing, who prior to this weekend, had not lost a Wall Stadium ATQMRA feature since July of 2023.

Buddy Sload (36), Tyler Wagner (51) and Kyle Taraska (22) battle intently for the lead. Even with the close battling, Sload still led 20 feature laps; Eric Storch Photo

On the restart, Sload and Wagner resumed their intense side by side battle for the lead. Kyle Taraska moved into third place and began closing the gap on the leaders.

By lap five, Taraska was close to the leaders, but staying a car length behind, biding his time to make his move. 

Up front it was a real barnburner, as Wagner repeatedly looked both inside and outside of Sload for an opening to take the top spot. Lap after lap, Wagner relentlessly challenged Sload for the lead.

Buddy Sload (36) and Tyler Wagner (51) battle for the lead near the halfway mark; Sean Case Photo

As the race approached the halfway mark, the lead swapped back and forth between Sload and Wagner. Wagner would take the top spot down the backstretch and Sload would regain the lead, back down the frontstretch.

As the lead continued to switch back and forth, Taraska lurked in third. Taraska entered the battle more intently in the closing laps, leaning on Wagner, in a side by side battle with the 51 car.

Kyle Taraska (22) dives under Buddy Sload (36) for the lead in turn 3, in the closing stages of the feature; Eric Storch Photo

As the race came down to the closing stages, Taraska made his move. It was a three-way battle for the lead. Taraska took second from Wagner with eight laps remaining. Four laps later, Taraska dove his #22 Boyd Speed Shop machine low into turn three and stole the lead from Sload.

Sload then raced door to door with Wagner (as they did all race) for second place as Taraska set pace on the field. Taraska went on to lead the final four laps to earn the thrilling feature victory.

Kyle Taraska (22) takes the checkered flag, his eighth career feature victory; Eric Storch Photo

Buddy Sload, a close second and Tyler Wagner rounded out the podium.

Josh Patterson (02) and Ryan Tidman (5z) put on strong top-5 battles together; Eric Storch Photo

Ryan Tidman charged from 8th to 4th and Josh Patterson continued his strong rookie campaign with his second consecutive fifth place finish.

Multi-time NEMA Midget Champion, Avery Stoehr, made the trek from Massachusetts to wheel the #12 MJ Motorsports machine to a sixth place, and Mark Yoder finished seventh. Steve Craig rounded out the field of lead lap finishers in eighth.

Brianna Page (76) and Steve Craig (55) raced hard throughout the early stages of the feature. Contact between both drivers occurred prior to Page’s mechanical retirement; Eric Storch Photo

Attrition impacted multiple drivers this weekend, as mechanical issues plagued Tyler Ferris (9th), Brianna Page (10th) and the noted incident with Jeff Kot (11th).

Afterwards Taraska said “I gave it everything I had. What a phenomenal race. When I took second place from the #51 (Wagner) I knew I had one chance at Buddy (Sload), so I just went for it. I nailed the brakes going into three, dove low and hoped it would stick. It did and I got the win.” Taraska extend his sincere appreciation to the Boyd Speed Shop race team, for their continued support both at the track and in the shop.

Kyle Taraska (22) celebrates with the VP Racing Fuels Checkered flag during his post race victory lap; Eric Storch Photo

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing fuels returns to racing action this Sunday, June 9th at Evergreen Raceway in Drums, PA.

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (25 LAPS):

1. #22 Kyle Taraska

2. #36 Buddy Sload

3. #51 Tyler Wagner

4. #5z Ryan Tidman

5. #02 Josh Patterson

6. #12 Avery Stoehr

7. #75 Mark Yoder

8. #55 Steve Craig

9. #7 Tyler Ferris

10. #76 Brianna Page

11. #99 Jeff Kot

HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):

1. #5z Ryan Tidman

2. #51 Tyler Wagner

3. #02 Josh Patterson

4. #55 Steve Craig

5. #12 Avery Stoehr

6. #76 Brianna Page

HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):

1. #36 Buddy Sload

2. #99 Jeff Kot

3. #7 Tyler Ferris

4. #22 Kyle Taraska

5. #75 Mark Yoder

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FEATURE FAST FACTS:

Time of Race: 13:41.495

Leader(s): 3

Lap Leader(s): #36 Buddy Sload (20) #22 Kyle Taraska (4) #51 Tyler Wagner (1)

Cautions: 2

Fastest Lap: #22 Kyle Taraska (13.330)

Rookie of the Race: #02 Josh Patterson (5th)

Tyler Wagner Dominates in First Career ATQMRA Win

Tyler Wagner and father, Bob, celebrate an emotional moment in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane - Sean Case Photo

Staff Report | Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
Photography Credit: Sean Case, Dino Oberto

LEIGHTON, PA- Tyler Wagner racing Alan Mollot’s #51 Lindblad Badger earned his first career Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels Feature victory at Mahoning Valley Speedway this Sunday.

The weekend was all about Wagner, winning his heat race, drawing the pole, and dominating the feature with great speed in his #51 Badger. Rookie of the Year contender #02 Josh Patterson of East Greenville, PA won the other heat race of the afternoon.

Josh Patterson had a busy weekend performing double duty, racing in wingless TQ midget competition at Bethel Motor Speedway Saturday. Patterson was this Sunday's ATQMRA Rookie of the Race - Sean Case Photo

At the drop of the green flag, as Wagner set pace at the front, many eyes were set on the daring drive of Wagner’s Alan Mollot Racing teammate, #51J Matt Janisch. Janisch, racing his own Yuhas Chassis, started 8th and quickly made his charge to the front.

Within three laps, Janisch passed #22 Kyle Taraska, #55 Steve Craig and #75 Mark Yoder. Taraska would soon follow Janisch through as the pair would chase down defending ATQMRA (2X) champion #36 Buddy Sload, all happening behind leader Wagner.

Patterson would race in second for much of the feature, before falling to fifth just beyond the halfway point. Nonetheless, it was an impressive showing for Patterson after fighting mechanical issues in the pits throughout practice.

Tyler Wagner leads the field to green - Dino Oberto Photo

Janisch picked off Patterson and made one last charge towards Wagner as Sload and Taraska battled for the podium. While Janisch made the impressive drive from 8th to 2nd, Wagner would ultimately hold on, and earn his first career ATQMRA feature victory!

Janisch’s second place showing earned Alan Mollot Racing a 1-2 finish. Buddy Sload ran inside the podium all afternoon to finish 3rd. Sload held off a closing Kyle Taraska, who finished 4th. Taraska had a good showing coming off his spectacular incident in the season opener. Josh Patterson persevered to his first career ATQMRA top-5 finish in 5th.

#51J Matt Janisch picks off #02 Josh Patterson for second. Janisch charged through the field and fell one spot short of the win. -Dino Oberto Photo

There was competitive side by side racing all throughout the pack, as the field averaged well over 90MPH speeds on Mahoning’s treacherous 1/4 mile bullring. While many eyes were focused on the leaders, positions 6th - 11th put on a great show for the fans in attendance and watching live on Racing America TV as well!

A great day of racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway with a very competitive field. The gap from fastest to slowest lap times amongst the field was within half a second. - Sean Case Photo

Jeff Kot was considered a pre-race favorite but got a 6th place finish for Paul Dodorico Racing. Kot battled much of the race with Tyler Ferris in the Hamer Heating and Cooling #7 and #75 Mark Yoder.

Ferris’s #7 would finish 7th in his Mahoning Valley Speedway debut and Yoder finished in 8th. Rookie Chris Coleman also made his Mahoning Valley Speedway debut to finish 9th, and #55 Steve Craig rounded out the top-10. Ryan Tidman rounded out the field in 11th.

A full pit area of winged TQ's at Mahoning Valley Speedway -Dino Oberto Photo

In victory lane, Tyler Wagner thanked his father Bob, girlfriend Lexi and car-owner Alan Mollot (and team) for all their support. Wagner will lead the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels to Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday, June 1st as the series points leader.

Alan Mollot and Tyler Wagner celebrate in VP Racing Fuels Victory Lane at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Wagner adds his name to an elite list, as he is the 24th driver to win in the #51 Linblad Badger. - Dino Oberto Photo

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FEATURE (25 LAPS):
1. #51 Tyler Wagner
2. #51J Matt Janisch
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #02 Josh Patterson
6. #99 Jeff Kot
7. #7 Tyler Ferris
8. #75 Mark Yoder
9. #27 Chris Coleman
10. #5z Ryan Tidman
11. #55 Steve Craig

HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):
1. #02 Josh Patterson
2. #75 Mark Yoder
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #55 Steve Craig
5. #27 Chris Coleman
6. #5z Ryan Tidman

HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):
1. #51 Tyler Wagner
2. #99 Jeff Kot
3. #51J Matt Janisch
4. #22 Kyle Taraska
5. #7 Tyler Ferris

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FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 4:05.130
Leader(s): 1
Lap Leader(s): #51 Tyler Wagner (25)
Cautions: 0
Fastest Lap: #51J Matt Janisch (9.450)
Rookie of the Race: #02 Josh Patterson (5th)

KOT CONTINUES PDR DOMINANCE; WINS ATQMRA WALL OPENER

PDR Team and friends celebrate in victory lane.

Staff Report | Monday, April 22nd, 2024

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ - Jeff Kot drove through the field from last to first to earn the season opening ATQMRA feature victory at Wall Stadium Speedway.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels kicked off their 69th annual season this weekend. Simultaneously, Wall Stadium Speedway opened for their 74th annual season as well.

Kyle Taraska (#22) and Jeff Kot (#99) won the opening heat races of the year.

For the first three events of the season, pill pick redraw will establish the starting lineup for qualified heat race finishers. For the pill pick, heat winners Taraska and Kot redrew 6th and 8th respectively. Tyler Wagner (#51) redrew the pole.

Three wide racing between Kyle Taraska (22), Tyler Ferris (7) and Chris Coleman (27) - Eric Storch

Wagner led rookie contender Christopher Coleman (#27) of East Islip, NY, and Buddy Sload (#36), the defending ATQMRA champion in the early going.

Contact between Zack Burd (#5z) and Jeff Kot initiated the first caution of the evening. Both drivers continued.

Sload jumped to the lead over Wagner on the restart and looked to set pace on the field. Wagner settled into second, while intense three-wide racing between Tyler Ferris (#7), Josh Patterson (#02) and Chris Coleman continued for the final podium position.

Kot, first time driving the Spitfire #99, raced his way back into the picture, while Kyle Taraska also looked to enter the top-5. Patterson and Taraska tangled soon after, causing the second yellow of the evening. Taraska continued from this incident, and Patterson was penalized to the rear of the field for initiating the contact.

Another restart led to another lead change. Jeff Kot made an exciting three wide move for the lead entering turn one, and made it work! Sload went from first to third as Kot and Wagner split the Spitfire Chassis machine one lap after retaking the green flag. From this point forward, it looked to be Kot’s race to lose.

Jeff Kot (99), Steve Craig (55), Zack Burd (5z) race hard for position - Eric Storch Photo 

After attempting to recover from the earlier race contact, Taraska’s luck turned for the worst just after the halfway mark. While Brianna Page (#76), Steve Craig (#55) battled for position, Page’s car got loose in the gravel in front of Taraska. As Page spun to the infield and Taraska jumped wheels with Page. This caused the #22 machine to flip end over end in a breathtaking tumble. Taraska was checked and released by speedway EMT’s and the race continued after a brief red flag period.

Steve Craig (55) and Brianna Page (76) battle for position near the halfway mark - Eric Storch Photo

The final restart of the evening was single file as are all restarts past halfway per the ATQMRA rulebook. Jeff Kot pulled away from the field, but it was Tyler Wagner who stole the show making a late race charge to the checkered. Wagner appeared to be the only contender to keep the Kot honest Saturday evening, as he closed down a five car length gap down to inches in the closing stages.

Although Tyler Wagner made a valiant effort to the checkered flag, Jeff Kot earned the first victory of the year for himself and Paul Dodorico Racing.

Tyler Wagner was second. Kot and Wagner tied for the fastest lap of the feature to the one one-thousandth of a second at 13.332 seconds.

After leading much of the early going, Buddy Sload settled into third, rounding out the podium finishers.

Buddy Sload led early and came home with a strong third place finish - Eric Storch Photo

Veteran Steve Craig had a strong showing with a fourth place finish, and Chris Coleman earned his first career ATQMRA top-5 finish with his fifth place finish.

Zack Burd returned to TQ Midget racing as a driver for the first time since 2022 with a respectable sixth place finish. Josh Patterson rounded out those who finished an eventful feature, in seventh.

Jeff Kot (99) and Josh Patterson (02) battle for position - Eric Storch Photo

Brianna Page’s efforts in the ATQMRA did not go as planned, as she finished 8th after the noted on-track incident. However, Brianna earned a highly respectable seventh place finish in her Wall Stadium Speedway Sportsman Division debut, later in the same evening.

Kyle Taraska was officially scored in ninth after the noted incident, and Mike Glaser (#2) was scored in tenth.

A wing malfunction hindered Tyler Ferris’ (#7) efforts, as he finished 11th. Furthermore, mechanical woes hindered Mark Yoder’s (#75) efforts, as he rounded out the field of twelve.

Jeff Kot and Paul Dodorico Racing earned their second career victory together this weekend, and now with two unique chassis. PDR thanks sponsors Dr. Martha Baker, Fidge Factor Web Designs and CheckerWon Manufacturing and all crew members for their support each weekend.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels returns to Wall Stadium Speedway for the second race of the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout, on Saturday, May 4th, 2024.

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (25 LAPS):

1. #99 Jeff Kot

2. #51 Tyler Wagner

3. #36 Buddy Sload

4. #55 Steve Craig

5. #27 Chris Coleman

6. Zack Burd

7. #02 Josh Patterson

8. #76 Brianna Page

9. #22 Kyle Taraska

10. #2 Mike Glaser

11. #7 Tyler Ferris

12. #75 Mark Yoder

HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):

1. #22 Kyle Taraska

2. #27 Chris Coleman

3. #36 Buddy Sload

4. #51 Tyler Wagner

5. Zack Burd

6. #2 Mike Glaser

HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):

1. #99 Jeff Kot

2. #7 Tyler Ferris

3. #02 Josh Patterson

4. #75 Mark Yoder

5. #76 Brianna Page

6. #55 Steve Craig

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FEATURE FAST FACTS:

Time of Race: 18:27.27

Leader(s): 3

Lap Leader(s): #99 Jeff Kot (18), #36 Buddy Sload (6) Tyler Wagner (1)

Cautions: 3

Fastest Lap: #51 Tyler Wagner & #99 Jeff Kot 13.332

Rookie of the Race: #27 Chris Coleman (5th)

Tidman Reigns Over ATQMRA Turkey Derby 50 Field

Paul Dodorico Racing celebrates in victory lane at Turkey Derby 50; EJ O'Rourke PhotoStaff Report | Monday, November 27th, 2023
Photo Credit: EJ O’Rourke Photography, Eric Storch Photography

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Ryan Tidman and Paul Dodorico’s Racing domination continued at Wall Stadium Speedway earning this year’s Turkey Derby 50 ATQMRA feature victory.

A competitive field of TQ's coming to green led by Cole Mullen; EJ O'Rourke Photo

Many looked to Tidman to be this weekend’s favorite after placing the fastest time of all teams in practice one week prior. Tidman earned the pole and the Bud Sload Memorial Fast Time Award $100 bonus with a lap time of 13.233 seconds. With the invert, Tidman would start 8th and Cole Mullen of Brick, NJ earned the pole for the 30 lap feature.

At the drop of the green flag Kyle Taraska went for a slide in front of the field from the 4th position, entering turn 1. Taraska would spin across the nose of “invader” Billy Pauch Jr. in the Burd Racing entry, as Pauch made contact with Taraska’s left front wheel, “straightening” the 22 machine and as the field scattered, the race remained green.

Buddy Sload "dirt tracking" around dirt star Billy Pauch Jr. in a wild opening lap; Eric Storch Photo

Cole Mullen went on to lead the opening lap but could not hold off the early race charge from Tidman, going from 8th to 1st within the first 2 laps of the feature. It was Buddy Sload who initiated the charge, before Tidman made a daring three-wide move in turn 1 underneath both Sload and C. Mullen. Sload would follow Tidman and settle into 2nd remaining in close pursuit of the lead.

Tight racing amongst the field came to a halt near the lap 10 mark when Jeff Kot went for a spin off of turn 4. Kot did not retain damage from the incident, and would regroup and recover for a top-10 finish.

A few laps after the restart, the final caution of the afternoon flew as Josh Patterson made contact with Kyle Taraska entering turn 1. A hard fought battle between Taraska, Patterson and Pauch Jr. led to the contact as Taraska was spun around. Like Kot, Taraska would also comeback to recover for a top-10 finish.

By the final restart of the race, the cream had risen to the top as Tidman remained in the lead. However it was Matt Janisch of Nazareth, PA now in second. Janisch muscled his way up to the leaders after starting 10th.

Ultimately, Tidman would set sail and run away from the field. Tidman’s domination did not stop the intense battle for second between Janisch, Sload and Joey Bailey.

Joey Bailey battling amongst the Alan Mollot Racing cars (51J- Janisch) (51- Wagner); EJ O'Rourke Photo

Bailey, racing Lenny and Donna Boyd’s LBII Chassis, would be the star of the show in the second half of the feature, making a late race charge to the 2nd finishing position.

Sload would pick off Janisch prior to Bailey, prior to Bailey passing Sload on the final lap of the feature.

While the action remained fierce throughout the top-5, half a track ahead was Ryan Tidman driving off into the sunset to earn his second consecutive Turkey Derby victory and third overall. None more honorable than earning a wreath on the 50th anniversary of this historic event.

Joey Bailey made the noted charge to finish second and Buddy Sload capped off his championship season with a podium finish in 3rd.

Like Bailey, Tyler Wagner finally earned the breakthrough run he was looking for in the ATQMRA. Wagner snookered teammate Janisch for 4th, as the Alan Mollot Racing team rounded out the top 5.

Jeff Kot earned a 6th place finish and Tyler Ferris would hang tough all day to earn 7th for the Hamer Motorsports Group.

Kyle Taraska finished 8th and Billy Pauch Jr. had a successful campaign in 9th. After starting on the pole, Cole Mullen showed a lot of grit to battle for a hard earned 10th place finish.

The ATQMRA showcased in front of a near capacity crowd braving the cold at Turkey Derby 50; EJ O'Rourke Photo

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels would like to thank our competitors, sponsors and fans for their incredible support throughout this season. Further, the ATQMRA extends their appreciation to the Krause Family and the Wall Stadium Speedway team for keeping the tradition of Turkey Derby alive.

We wish you all a happy holiday season and we will see you in 2024 for our 69th Annual Season.

Ryan Tidman, 3X ATQMRA Turkey Derby Champion | 5X ATQMRA Series Champion; Eric Storch Photo

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (30 LAPS):
1. #99 Ryan Tidman
2. #1B Joey Bailey
3. #36 Buddy Sload
4. #51 Tyler Wagner
5. #51J Matt Janisch
6. #95 Jeff Kot
7. #7 Tyler Ferris
8. #22 Kyle Taraska
9. #5z Billy Pauch Jr.
10. #73 Cole Mullen
11. #02 Josh Patterson
12. #24 Kyle Herve
13. #27 Chris Coleman
14. #711 Joe Toth
15. #76 Brianna Page
16. #2 Mike Glaser
17. #39 Ronnie Mullen
18. #55 Steve Craig, DNS

TIME TRIAL (Top-8 invert):
1. #99 Ryan Tidman 13.233 (8th)
2. #1B Joey Bailey 13.367 (7th)
3. #51 Tyler Wagner 13.422 (6th)
4. #36 Buddy Sload 13.492 (5th)
5. #22 Kyle Taraska 13.517 (4th)
6. #5z Billy Pauch Jr. 13.519 (3rd)
7. #7 Tyler Ferris 13.659 (2nd)
8. #73 Cole Mullen 13.682 (1st)
9. #02 Josh Patterson 13.717
10. #51J Matt Janisch 13.761
11. #95 Jeff Kot 13.830
12. #76 Brianna Page 13.865
13. #39 Ronnie Mullen 13.956
14. #27 Chris Coleman 13.964
15. #24 Kyle Herve 14.033
16. #711 Joe Toth 14.187
17. #2 Mike Glaser 14.334
18. #55 Steve Craig, DNS


FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 13:03.574
Leader(s): 2
Hoosier Lap Leader(s): #99 Ryan Tidman (28), #73 Cole Mullen (2)
Cautions: 3
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #5z Billy Pauch Jr. (9th)


CONTINGENCY AWARD WINNERS:

$100 Bud Sload Fast Time Award (PDR): Ryan Tidman (13.233)

$100 First Time Winner (or highest non-ATQMRA Feature Winner) (BELFOR):
Tyler Wagner (4th)

$50 Hard Luck Award (most positions lost) (Finish Line Bookeeping LLC):
Cole Mullen (-9)

$50 Lap Hard Charger (most positions gained) (Brice & Van Wickle NAPA):
Ryan Tidman (+7)

$50 Fastest Lap of Feature (Brice & Van Wickle NAPA):
Ryan Tidman (12.961)

$50 last feature finisher on the lead lap (Brice and Van Wickle NAPA):
Josh Patterson (11th)

$20 Lap Leaders (Sponsor):
Lap 1- Cole Mullen (Boyd Speed Shop)
Lap 5- Ryan Tidman (The Fidge Factor Website Design)
Lap 8- Ryan Tidman (In memory of Bob Emmons)
Lap 9- Ryan Tidman (Dr. Martha Baker DMD)
Lap 22- Ryan Tidman (Boyd Speed Shop)

SLOAD 2023 ATQMRA CHAMP; TIDMAN 3X FEATURE WINNER

STAFF REPORT | MONDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Eric Storch

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Buddy Sload and Colin Martin’s #36 Spitfire Chassis Racing Team have been crowned 2023 Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels Champions. Ryan Tidman dominated to win his third Wall Stadium Speedway feature of the season for Paul Dodorico Racing.

Once overnight rains settled, the ATQMRA finally returned to the track this weekend for the first time since August 26th. The tour endured an unprecedented number of cancellations due to weather with a total of nine on the year.

Mother Nature would still look to make one last impact throughout the evening. While the Wall Stadium Speedway track crew did a phenomenal job drying all racing surfaces,to no fault of anyone; teams were forced to manage standing water in the grass area just below the groove in the second turn. ATQMRA competitors tend to naturally hit the dirt (pond this weekend) when exiting too low, making it a dynamic storyline of the weekend.

Joey Bailey (#1B Boyd Speed Shop) looked to end 2023 on a high note, and he started his evening off right evening by winning the opening heat race. Ryan Tidman won the second heat race as both drivers would remain in the headlines for the duration of the 25 lap feature.

Tidman redrew the pole for the feature while Bailey redrew fifth. The ATQMRA experienced one caution during the 25-lap championship feature, with Mike Turton of East Windsor, NJ spun exiting the fourth turn on lap 2. Unfortunately, Turton sustained left front damage from the incident and was unable to finish the race.

On the ensuing restart, Tidman once again got the jump ahead as the leader, with Bailey, Sload and Taraska all within reach. By taking the green flag, Buddy Sload earned the championship in both overall series standings and in the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout standings as well. With that, the only thing on Sload’s (and everyone’s) mind was to earn the feature winning trophy.

Sload and Bailey wouldn’t hold back as an intense battle materialized between the two competitors. For multiple laps, Sload and Bailey swapped positions and rubbed nerf bars. Meanwhile, the treacherous standing water inside of turn 2 reappeared across the racing surface from a competitor dipping their tire into the pool of water as the field approached the halfway mark.

Drivers were in for a surprise as competitors found themselves in a 4-wheel drift, or more commonly known as “dirt tracking” in asphalt racing, for over 10 laps. Through the slick track conditions, Sload and Bailey continued to battle and there were no additional incidents caused by competitors from the conditions.

Bailey prevailed over Sload, setting his sights on Tidman. While Bailey closed a big lead, he ran out of laps as Ryan Tidman went on to dominate, leading wire to wire for this third feature victory of the season. With the victory, Tidman secures the 2023 VP Checkered Flag Award for earning the most feature victories of any driver. Paul Dodorico and the Dr. Martha Baker D.M.D, CheckWon Manufacturing Team earned a series leading 4 victories (Jeff Kot, Wall 8/26 being the other) on the tour this year.

Joey Bailey finished in second, with champion Buddy Sload rounding out the podium.

Kyle Taraska (#22 Personal Comfort) finished in 4th, earning him second in overall championship standings. Steve Craig (#55 Craig Bulk Carriers) had a fantastic run and earned a hard fought 5th. Craig has really turned things around putting together consistent strong runs the second half of this season.

The feel good story of the evening was Josh Patterson (#02 BELFOR Property Restoration, United Rentals). Currently leading the championship in the East Coast Wingless TQ Midget division, the Jx3 Racing Team made their Winged TQ Midget debut with the ATQMRA. Patterson started shotgun on the field in 13th and finished 6th, and was this weekend’s VP Racing Fuels Hard Charger, and RYNO Classifieds Rookie of the Race.

Cole Mullen (#73 Tom’s River Heating and Cooling) raced comfortably within the top-10 all evening to finish 7th. Tyler Ferris (#7 Hamer Heating and Cooling) debuting a brand new Kluth Chassis in preparation for the Indoor Auto Racing Championship this winter. Ferris experienced the best season of his career in the ATQMRA, earning 2nd in overall standings in the Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout, and 3rd in overall championship standings.

Mark Yoder (#75 Ames Construction) finished just inside the top-10 to earn a 9th. Recent NEMA Midget Champion Avery Stoehr returned to the ATQMRA this weekend with car owner Phil DiMario to round out the top-10.

Kyle Herve (#24 CARS Auto Body), Mike Glaser (#2 Aqua Solutions) and Mike Turton (#723 Sayreville PBA) rounded out the field respectively in positions 11 through 13.

Buddy Sload capped off his championship season earning one feature victory and earned a top-5 finish in every feature this season. With that, Sload never finished outside of the podium at Wall Stadium Speedway this year. The ATQMRA congratulates the Sload Family and Colin Martin on their 2023 accomplishments. Furthermore, we acknowledge and recognize their years of continued support of the ATQMRA. The ATQMRA would not be what it is today without the support of Buddy, Colin, Karen and team. The team honor’s the late-Bud Sload by earning this accomplishment.

Congratulations, 2X.

The Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels would like to thank all members, fans, all officials, particularly Erik Graham, Nick Ballard, Dave Michel and John Cerny for their assistance this season. Thank you to our promoters Emily Krause (Wall Stadium Speedway), Jason Makarewicz (Evergreen Raceway) and Todd Baer (Mahoning Valley Speedway) for their continued support of this storied division of racing.

2023 series sponsors include title sponsor Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic and Precise Racing Products, presenting sponsor VP Racing Fuels, Hamer Heating and Cooling supporting a Wall Stadium Speedway specific points fund, and RYNO Classifieds for the third consecutive year supporting the ATQMRA’s Rookie of the Year Campaign.

The ATQMRA also extends their appreciation to the Brice Family for sponsoring NAPA Championship Night, providing various awards to drivers in all divisions. Furthermore, we thank Racing with Jesus Ministries, M.N.O., Green Flag Pitstop Media, and series photographers Sean Case, Tommy Lane, Eric Storch, Kristen Cocca, Scott Racz, Pete MacDonald and Bill Elkins of Edge of Traction Media. Last but not least, we thank AARN journalists Earl Krause, Dino Oberto and Robin Ervin for their support and coverage of the ATQMRA this year.

The ATQMRA will formally close our 68th season of competition, celebrating the golden anniversary, in the 50th running of Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway, on Saturday, November 25th, 2023. The ATQMRA will be providing event details on a future date.

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RACE RESULTS:

FEATURE (25 LAPS):

1. #99 Ryan Tidman

2. #1B Joey Bailey

3. #36 Buddy Sload

4. #22 Kyle Taraska

5. #55 Steve Craig

6. #02 Josh Patterson

7. #73 Cole Mullen

8. #7 Tyler Ferris

9. #75 Mark Yoder

10. #23 Avery Stoehr

11. #24 Kyle Herve

12. #2 Mike Glaser

13. #723 Mike Turton

HEAT 1 (8 LAPS):

1. #1B Joey Bailey

2. #36 Buddy Sload

3. #73 Cole Mullen

4. #02 Josh Patterson

5. #55 Steve Craig

6. #723 Mike Turton

7. #2 Mike Glaser

HEAT 2 (8 LAPS):

1. #99 Ryan Tidman

2. #23 Avery Stoehr

3. #7 Tyler Ferris

4. #75 Mark Yoder

5. #22 Kyle Taraska

6. #24 Kyle Herve
   
   

FEATURE FAST FACTS:
Time of Race: 9:38.063
Leader: 1
Hoosier Lap Leader: #99 Ryan Tidman (25)
Cautions: 1
RYNO Rookie of the Race: #02 Josh Patterson (6th)
Hamer Heating Hot Lap: #99 Ryan Tidman (13.304)
VP Hard Charger: #02 Josh Patterson (+7)