Motorsports Show Provides ATQMRA Awards Setting On Display Floor; Sixth Driver Title For Ryan Tidman, First For Car Owner Paul Dodorico

By EARL KRAUSE

Oaks, PA – The main display floor of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports Show Presented by Can-Am provided the setting for the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic American Three-Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) Fueled by VP Series on Saturday afternoon, January 24, to honor its championship team and top competitors from last season.

Ryan Tidman was in the spotlight as the 2025 ATQMRA driver champion for the sixth time with four wins at Wall Stadium; while Paul Dodorico, who fields the Tidman-driven PDR Racing/Dr. Martha Baker/Fidge Factor Web Design No. 99, received top car owner laurels. First teaming up in late 2020, this was their initial title together in the ATQMRA and Dodorico’s first in the TQs.

They were also presented with the VP Racing Fuel Checkered Flag Award that’s annually given to the driver/owner having the most wins during the season.

The ceremony was held at the informative booth of the ATQMRA, with the gleaming black PDR No. 99 in the spotlight, as an enthusiastic audience applauded the honorees.

“Flyin’ Ryan” Tidman is a “young veteran” with the TQs, gaining his first ATQMRA title in 2008 with then car owner/builder BJ MacDonald. Then becoming the driver of Lenny & Donna Boyd’s famed No. 1B, Tidman took three championships in succession with their car from 2011 to 2013; and then again with the Boyd team in 2017.

Tidman’s first victory with Dodorico was in November 2020 at N.Y.’s Bethel Motor Speedway. Including this season, he now has 14 victories in TQs entered by Dodorico. Jeff Kot drove the back-up PDR No. 99x to single victories at Wall in 2023 and 2024; and in 2021 Joey Payne won the memorial race honoring his dad Joe Sr. at Bethel in a Dodorico entry.

Before becoming a TQ Midget owner, Long Island resident Paul Dodorico crewed as a teenager on the Modified of region legend Tom Baldwin Sr. He then drove Legend Cars for over 20 years, with three championships at N.Y.’s Bethel Speedway. He also competed in Tour-type Modifieds and Late Models at home track Riverhead Raceway. He joined the ATQMRA as a driver in 2019, and was honored as that season’s Rookie of the Year. He still gets behind the wheel of the back-up No. 99 on occasion, and drives his beautifully restored 1980s-era asphalt silver & red No. 99 Pinto Modified in vintage events at Riverhead.

Tyler Ferris, residing in Wall Township and always a “hometown favorite” at the Stadium in both the TQs and in Saturday Modified competition, was runner-up in points in the Hamer Heating & Cooling No. 7 entered by Brien Hamer. Ferris won the ATQMRA season opener at Wall, registered consistent finishes the rest of the way; and capped off the campaign with a victory in the non-point Wall Turkey Derby TQ main.

Blake Barney, a Wall Stadium Modified standout in the famed “Big Red” No. 14 fielded by his grandfather Dick and dad Robert, became an ATQMRA regular last season in the Dent Zones No. 12 of Mike Murray and his wife Tara. Barney scored his first TQ victory on August 23, at Wall, on the way to a third place finish in the season standings.

That impressive campaign earned Barney the ATQMRA Rookie of the Year award for 2025, and he thanked the Murrays for the opportunity to run their car while looking forward to doing it again this year. 

Rounding out the top-five in driver points, while also fielding their own well-prepared TQs, were Jeff Kot (Behrent’s Performance/Typhoon Digital Studio No. 95) and Steve Craig (Craig Bulk Carriers No. 55).

Sixth through 10th in the driver standings were three-time champion Buddy Sload, Billy Cole III, Joey Payne, Dave DiSalvo and Anthony Payne.

Second through fifth in Car Owner points were Brien Hamer (No. 7), Mike & Tara Murray (No. 12), Kot and Craig.

In the separate point category for 600cc TQs, Sean Case was honored as the 2025 Driver Champion with the “Hyper Hugger” No. 95x of Jeff Kot. While receiving the award, Sean reflected on what it meant to continue the tradition of his long-established racing family that goes back to the 1960s with Sprint Car driving grandfather Bill Case; and then dad Bill Case Jr. who drove No. 9c Midget and Sprint Cars. And, Sean is also a contributing photographer to Area Auto Racing News.

MOTORSPORTS SHOW TQ NOTES: The ATQMRA had over $12,500 in payouts to its drivers and teams in 2025, and $6,500-plus in bonus awards. And, the four ATQMRA features run at Wall during the regular season had only one caution flag! Along with Hoosier Tire and VP Fuel, support for the organization also comes from Finish Line Bookkeeping, Aqua Solutions and Precise Racing Components. The club also thanked Racing with Jesus Ministries and club chaplain Rev. Tom Simmons for their continued guidance… The ATQMRA will continue to make Wall Stadium its home track in 2026, with a finalized schedule including touring events at other region paved tracks to be released soon… Along with the PDR No. 99, among the TQ Midgets on the show floor were those of drivers Lexi Przybylinski (“Women In Racing” display); Josh Patterson (No. 02, Bob Hilbert Sportswear booth) and Tyler Wagner (No. 19, Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Indoor Racing Series display)... The Indoor Series exhibit  included the beautifully restored vintage blue No. 10x TQ that was driven to victory in 1981 at Boardwalk Hall by the late Bruce Kindberg. That Jim Shaw chassis design TQ is also representative of those that competed with great success in that era at N.J.’s legendary long-closed Pine Brook Speedway. The No. 10x will be featured during this weekend’s race at Boardwalk Hall while on view in Fan Fest on the concourse.

Cliff Krause Was The Spirit Of Wall Stadium

The Krause Family, Wall Stadium Speedway

By EARL KRAUSE
Photo Credit: Jim Smith

There is no doubt that Cliff Krause loved Wall Stadium, its racers  and fans... and the storied history of the third-mile, high-banked paved oval. It led the successful businessman to “take the plunge” as Wall’s lease-holder and promoter in 2011 when it looked as if the track would not survive after several years of management issues with prior operators. But because of the dedication of Cliff, and his close-knit family that includes his wife Diane and their children Andrew and Emily, Wall Stadium not only recovered but has succeeded and became stable in the years since.

But sadly, Cliff is not here to see the track prosper.

He passed away at age 65 on January 27, 2018, from complications of a massive heart attack.

Diane continued his vision and was Wall’s General Manager through 2019; with daughter Emily now “24-7” in that role. And mom Diane continues as busy as ever from the office side during the week and on race nights!

This Saturday, August 16, is the seventh edition of Cliff Krause Memorial, with the Modifieds running a 127-lap feature… recognizing his “signature” number of “27” on the family race cars. Son Andrew won “Cliff’s Race” in 2018 and 2020 in that No. 27; with Eric Mauriello in victory lane for 2019 while driving the No. 31 of Steve Ferrara Jr. The event was rained out in 2021, and in the midst of a busy schedule was not run. The race returned for 2022, with Andrew Krause winning for the third time. Taking top honors in 2023 was Connecticut invader Steven Kopcik, a winner at Stafford Motor Speedway and strong competitor in Tour-type Modified events. Last year, “Fast Eddie” McCarthy used a pit stop tire change strategy with his No. 20 team headed up by crew chief Billy Cole Jr. (dad of ATQMRA driver Billy III) and charged through the field to win his first Cliff Krause Memorial.

Wall’s weekly Sportsman and Factory Stock divisions will also compete; and the ATQMRA TQ Midget drivers, teams and officials are proud to again be part of the special night. Winning previous TQ features at the Cliff Krause Memorial were Geoffrey Sutton, in Alan Mollott’s No. 51 (2019); Kyle Taraska, in Russ Bailey’s No. 22 ((2022); and Ryan Tidman, in Paul Dodorico’s No. 99, last year.

A PASSION FOR RACING: Cliff originally had No. 27 dirt Modifieds that he fielded for top drivers going back to the 1990s.

Then, before becoming Wall’s promoter, he entered asphalt cars initially driven by son Andrew in the Wall Sportsman division to victories and a title. Andrew then moved into the Modifieds at the Shore Speedway with winning success.

Auto racing had always been Cliff Krause’s enjoyable sideline, starting years ago when he competed as a driver of a dirt Modified at N.Y.’s Orange County Fair Speedway.

By his own admission, Cliff would tell you with a laugh that “after hitting the wall too many times and fixing the race car... I soon found out that I wasn’t going to be a race driver and would be better owning and sponsoring race cars!”

In the 1990s and well into the 2000s, Cliff’s Modifieds were driven with success by Ralph Heotzler at Orange County; and Steve Bottcher at N.J.’s Bridgeport and Rick Laubach there and at New Egypt Speedway. Cliff’s racing travels didn’t take him to asphalt tracks, but ironically it was at Wall that Andrew, then a teenager, began as a driver in the track Sportsman cars in 2009.

After only seven races that summer, in a No. 27 mount that he entered with his dad, Andrew won his first of 12 career mains in the Wall Sportsman division on August 16, 2009.

In 2015, Andrew became Wall’s Sportsman champion. Ultimately, Cliff was “all in” to pavement racing as Andrew became a seasoned competitor in the Wall Modifieds; and other Northeast tracks… and became a regular in 2018 on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour while still making Wall his Saturday priority.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY: Andrew Krause also has a vested interest in Wall Stadium’s future. Along with becoming a top Modified driver in the family No. 27 at Wall, as the defending and four-time division champion, Andrew is right there to help at the track.

The company Cliff founded, the family’s Supreme Manufacturing business in East Brunswick, N.J., is a major operation that manufactures specialty mixed and soft drink concentrates and ice cream toppings for clients around the country and internationally.

Andrew began working at Supreme Manufacturing as operations manager after his graduation from Rutgers University. He is now just as “hands-on” as his father at the business. Then, in the race shop and pit area, he turns wrenches on the Modified with his loyal crew that are “like family.”

And Diane and Emily Krause have excelled at Wall Stadium, with their “theme nights” and special attractions bringing those families into the track on Saturdays... especially during the summer “Jersey Shore Tourism” season.

Now, after 15 years as managers of the track, they will be stepping away from that role after this year’s Turkey Derby. Thanks to their dedication, Wall Stadium is strong, with a loyal, multi-generational “fans of all ages” and racer base.

SATURDAYS AT WALL WERE SPECIAL: Cliff loved being at Wall Stadium! Early on Saturday and all through race day he would be in and all around the pit area... available to chat with drivers, team members and media; whether it was for a pleasant conversation, share a joke or funny story; or if it was a serious issue.

And he also walked around the grandstand midway, talking with fans and hearing their comments... whether they were enjoying their visit or had a suggestion about making it better.

And, there were so many times that fans would come up to Cliff and say “thank you for saving our track.” That was his reward.

Poignant words from Diane, Emily and Andrew in the days following Cliff’s passing said it all... and are still recalled today.

“Many of Cliff’s favorite memories were made at Wall Stadium. He enjoyed spending time and laughing with his racing family. He will always be at the track... watching over us.”

ATQMRA TQ MIDGET TURKEY DERBY COMPETITOR INFO

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2024 Turkey Derby 51 Schedule

TURKEY DERBY 51 AT Wall Stadium Speedway, ATQMRA TQ MIDGET COMPETITOR INFORMATION

FORMAT:

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA Fueled by VP Racing Fuels will compete on Saturday, November 30th in a $600 to win, $100 to start 30 lap feature.

Qualifying will be conducted in a time trial format, where cars will be sent out in groups relative to their practice times (slowest to fastest).

There will be a guaranteed invert of 4, 6 or 8 cars post-time trials.

RULES:

The ATQMRA rulebook is in effect for this event.

Key highlights:

-Minimum weight 860 lbs with driver.

-Maximum width 55.5 inches (measured by sidewall of the tire)

-Mandated Hoosier LC5 (10inch) or MG5 (13inch) compound on the right rear tire.

Rulebook exceptions are as follows:

-The Indoor Auto Racing Championship Series engine rules for 750cc TQ Midgets and 600cc Micro Sprints are allowed (2022 models and older).

-Tires will NOT be marked between time trial and feature events.

-The use of a Fire Suppression system is recommended but not required for this event.

Download ATQMRA Rulebook Here

Indoor Auto Racing Rulebook (for engines, 2022 models and older): https://indoorautoracing.com/.../TQ-Midget-Rules-2025-10...

ENTRY FORMS:

All entrants must submit an entry form to Wall Stadium Speedway prior to the event. Entry fees will be discounted if received before Friday, November 22, 2024.

Entry Forms may be submitted either online, by mail, or in-person. Entry forms may be accessed, in addition to information regarding mailing address and track office hours may be found at this link: https://www.wallstadiumspeedway.com/copy-of-racer-info

TIRE AND FUEL ORDERS:

Tire and fuel orders must be placed in advance to guarantee delivery at the track. Tire/fuel orders need to be placed by end of day to TQTIRES@GMAIL.COM prior to the end of day on Wednesday, November 13th.

Please include your name and number in the subject line of your email.

SCHEDULE:

A paid practice session will be held the weekend prior to the event, on both Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th.

TQ Midgets will compete as the opening feature on Saturday, November 30th.

The rain date for this event is Sunday, December 1st.

Scheduling information can be found at this link: https://www.wallstadiumspeedway.com/copy-of-racer-info

CONTACT INFORMATION

All inquiries should contact PR@ATQMRA.COM for direct questions pertaining to the Turkey Derby TQ Midget feature. Please allow a 24 hour response time prior to following up.

ATQMRA GEARS UP FOR TURKEY DERBY 50

Staff Report | Monday, November 13th, 2023

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels is preparing for Turkey Derby 50 at Wall Stadium Speedway, taking place on Saturday, November 25th.

Derby Week officially kicks off this weekend, when open practice will be held for all divisions on both Saturday, November 18th and Sunday, November 19th from 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST. The pit area will open to teams at 9:00 AM EST on both days.

A stout field of drivers are expected to compete, led by series champion Buddy Sload and defending ATQMRA Turkey Derby Champion Ryan Tidman.

While the traditional group time trials will remain for the event, a new invert system will be introduced to set the starting line up. Rather than there being a random pill pick for up-to the first dozen drivers in the field, a guaranteed invert will take place for either the fastest 4, 6, or 8 drivers following time trials.

The ATQMRA rulebook will remain in affect for the event. However, 2021 Indoor Auto Racing Championship engine rules will be allowed.

Entry forms for all race teams are currently available at wallstadiumspeedway.com. A $15 entry fee is due by Sunday, November 19th ($20 on race day 11/25) for the $600 to win, $100 to start ATQMRA feature.

The traditional Bud Sload Fast Time Award, earned by the fastest driver in Time Trials, will return this year as well. The $100 bonus will be sponsored by Paul Dodorico Racing. The ATQMRA is actively pursuing additional contingency award sponsors for the event.

Any team or sponsor who wishes to be part of the TQ Midget portion of Turkey Derby 50, should contact PR@ATQMRA.com with general questions and inquiries.

Fans and competitors should continue to follow the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels on Facebook, and Instagram for continued updates leading up to the prestigious event.

Turkey Derby Practice Schedule

November 18th & 19th, 2023:

9:00 AM Pits Open

9:00 AM Food Concessions Open

11:00 AM Grandstands Open (free admission)

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM (Practice Rotations)

Admission:

$20 - Pit Pass Crew (1 Day)

$35 - Pit Pass Crew (2 Day)

$40 - Driver (1 Day)

$70 - Driver (2 Day)

Trailers are permitted to be left at the track overnight on Saturday, if you plan to practice both days.

Turkey Derby Race Day Schedule

ATQMRA November 25th (Rain Date 11/26):

6:30 AM Pit Gates Open

9:00 AM Grandstands Open

Practice Rounds

8:30 AM - 8:50 AM Sportsman

8:50 AM - 9:20 AM Tour Mod

9:20 AM - 9:40 AM Dirt Modified

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM Tour Mod

10:10 AM - 10:30 AM ATQMRA

10:50 AM - ATQMRA Drivers Meeting 1B/22 Trailer

11:00 AM - Wall Stadium Drivers Meeting at Pit Trailer

12:00 PM ATQMRA Scales, followed by rolling to the grid

12:15 PM ATQMRA Group Time Trials, 4 laps per group.

2:00 PM National Anthem followed by,

ATQMRA 30 Lap Feature

*Schedule Subject to Change

*A driver or representative of your team must sign in at the Wall Stadium Pit Office upon your arrival to the speedway on race day. Please have transponder numbers on-hand when signing in.

ATQMRA CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK; 2023 PREVIEW

Staff Report | Monday, October 9th, 2023

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- In what has been a bizarre season due to weather, championship week has finally come upon us. The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels prepares for the final points race of the season, scheduled to take place this Saturday, October 14th at Wall Stadium Speedway.

For the first time in decades, in an ode to the late Pine Brook Speedway, a “hometrack” champion will be crowned this weekend as well as an overall series champion. One driver leads both standings heading into this weekend’s race.

SLOAD’S QUEST FOR SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2015 ATQMRA Champion aims to rename his title to “Two-Time” after this weekend as Buddy Sload enters the final race as the championship points leader. The adage in racing is “consistency win’s championships.” The adage has remained true this season.

Sload enters the final race with a 2.5 average finish and one feature victory to his credit, which came at Wall Stadium Speedway this past July. Sload has finished no worse than fifth this season in any race, let alone at Wall Stadium Speedway where he has not finished outside of the podium to-date.

Presumably, by taking the green flag will earn Buddy Sload and Colin Martin’s Spitfire Racing Team Championship honors this year.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCENARIOS

Buddy Sload enters Wall Stadium Speedway with a 64 point lead (16 positions) over defending series champion Kyle Taraska and Tyler Ferris who are tied for second.

In the event Kyle Taraska wins this weekend’s feature, Buddy Sload would have to finish 15th or better to secure his second title. If Taraska were to win, and Buddy finishes 16th, Taraska would own the tiebreaker having two wins (in this scenario) to Sload’s one.

Sload would have to finish 16th or better in the event Tyler Ferris earned his first career feature this weekend. In this scenario, Sload and Ferris would have an equal number of feature victories on the season. However, Sload would own the tiebreaker over Ferris having three, second place finishes on the season compared to Ferris’s one.

While the overall championship may be nearly out of reach for Ferris, becoming a Wall Stadium ATQMRA Champion is slightly more realistic. The editor would like to add an emphasis to the word “slightly.”

The Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout has been tallied all season for Wall Stadium ATQMRA points only. In this battle, Sload enters the final race 56 points (14 positions) over Tyler Ferris.

In the event Tyler Ferris wins the feature, Sload would own the tie-breaker again due to having more second place finishes than Ferris this season, meaning Sload would need to finish 14th or better to clinch the “hometrack” championship as well.

In the scenario of 14 cars or less taking the green flag for the feature, Sload will earn both championships at the drop of the green flag.

As a note, to not be confused with Wall Stadium local divisions, the ATQMRA does not score double points.

LOOKING BACK

As mentioned earlier in this release, the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels has experienced an unprecedented number of cancellations due to weather. To-date, SIX features have been completed and EIGHT features have been rained out.

And you guessed it, unfortunately there is rain in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. Thankfully, we have plenty of time for the forecast to change as we will remain optimistic for racing this weekend.

Amongst the rainouts, it has still been a very competitive season with four unique winners in six events. Jeff Kot has won two features (with two different teams), and Ryan Tidman co-leads the tour with two victories. Buddy Sload’s single victory rounds out the winners to-date at Wall Stadium Speedway this year. Kyle Taraska earned one victory this year in the tour’s only event (due to rainouts) outside of New Jersey, at Evergreen Raceway In Pennsylvania this August.

Theoretically, Mother Nature has clinched the VP Checkered Flag Award. However, the ATQMRA Board of Directors have the right to withhold the award from her out of spite. However, there is one clinched award that matters.

2023 RYNO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- KYLE HERVE

On behalf of RYNO Classifieds (RYNO.co), the ATQMRA would like to congratulate Kyle Herve and the #24 Herve Motorsports Team. Herve entered this season as his first year fully committed to pavement racing. Herve has averaged a finish of respectable 8.6 and has a heat race victory to his credit this year. Herve will look to improve on his rookie season and become a championship contender in 2024.

The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA fueled by VP Racing Fuels will crown both our series champion and Hamer Heating and Cooling Hometrack Shootout champion this Saturday, October 14th at Wall Stadium Speedway. Visit  wallstadiumspeedway.com for venue and series information.