20 Plus Cars on Tap for Mahoning Points Finale
Tidman and Sload to Decide Championship; Glaser and Force Battle for Top Rookie
Lehighton, Pa — The Final Round in the 2015 Championship Chase for the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA will come down to the final round at Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton on Saturday, October 24that the Speedway’s Octoberfast 2015 event. The Championship will be decided between current point leader Ryan Tidman and second running Buddy Sload. The 2015 Rookie of the Year title will be decided between Mike Glaser and Patrick Force. A strong field of contenders is expected to be on hand Saturday at Mahoning with a total car count expected to exceed 20 cars. The ATQMRA’s fall General Membership Meeting will be held this coming Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa with the outdoor season closing at Wall Stadium’s Turkey Derby.
Heading into the final round of racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway Ryan Tidman holds a four-point advantage over Buddy Sload. That equates to one finishing position across the entire season. Both drivers are proven winners in with the ATQMRA in 2015. Both racers have won races at Mahoning Valley. It will likely come down to an epic battle between the two championship contenders. Tidman is in the slightly better position with his four-point advantage although in a practical sense it’s a virtual dead heat leading into Mahoning.
Tidman will be racing the tried and true 1B owned by multiple time ATQMRA championship winning car owners Lenny and Donna Boyd. The pairing has earned championships since they teamed up and are looking to add one more trophy to their collection.
Buddy Sload is racing the Colin Martin Spitfire 16 that he raced indoors last year. Sload moved from the seat of his family owned Spitfire early in the season and hasn’t looked back reeling off 3 feature wins in a row at mid season and running consistently up front. Sload seeks his first ATQMRA Championship.
The ATQMRA has three cars within a mathematical striking distance at the final race. The Colin Martin Spitfire and the Mike Roselli Laffler head into the season finale with a mathematical shot at the championship. While it’s not very practical they are all in contention for the title.
Similarly, Geoffrey Sutton and Mathew Roselli are sitting third and fourth in the standings. Both are within striking distance but need a DNS by both Tidman and Sload and a podium finish to back into the Championship.
The Rookie of the Year Battle concludes at Mahoning. Current Rookie point leader Mike Glaser sits 28 points in front of Patrick Force. Force could overtake Glaser in the season-long battle by beating him by eight positions on the track in the feature. With a full field expected Saturday anything is possible.
The Schedule for the Octoberfast races at Mahoning has the pit gates opening at 11:00 am. Any teams who wish to run an early practice can do so from noon to 1:00 Pm for $25 per car. Regular warm-ups will take place from 1:15 to 2:25 with heats starting at 3:00.
ATQMRA News and Notes: It looks like a strong field of cars will be on hand at Mahoning Valley on Saturday. The Janisch 48x TQ that Janisch used to win the 2014 ATQMRA Championship will be piloted by talented Mahoning Valley Modified racer, Kris Graver. NYPA TQ Midget Champion Kyle Hutchinson will be racing the John Casey 88 car with a wing on the circular Mahoning Valley Quarter mile for the first time Saturday. Yearbook ad forms will be distributed at Mahoning Valley for the ATQMRA’s annual program book.
The Club’s general membership meeting will take place this coming Wednesday, October 21, 2015, the at 7 pm the ATQMRA is having its annual Fall General Membership meeting for the purpose of the election of officers and to discuss rules proposals for the coming season. Anyone with suggestions or proposals to help better the ATQMRA is encouraged to email their proposals to ATQMRA President Buddy Sload at buddysload@gmail.com so they can be added to the meeting agenda.
The Meeting will be held at the Best Western Lehigh Valley at 300 Gateway Dr. Bethlehem, Pa 18017 (610) 866-5800. This is the same location as last year’s banquet and previous meetings.
Sources: Blu Metz/ATQMRA PR