ATQMRA Mahoning Valley Up to Speed June 2020
Here are some updates pertaining to our season-opening race at Mahoning Valley Speedway this weekend and as well as our 2020 season as a whole:
Points/Handicap Update:
It has been voted by the board that championship driver and owner points will not be scored for the duration of the 2020 season. While it is understandable that this may be frustrating news to receive days ahead of our season opener, the difficult decision was made in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the unknown’s coming in the days ahead.
In order to make this season happen, there will have to be a lot of flexibility amongst our members and racetracks as we work to have races added and rescheduled over the next few months. While it is the goal to follow the originally scheduled dates as closely as possible, we also understand that may not be entirely realistic.
Furthermore, at this time we really need to take things race by race. While we hope this does not become the case, we may very well experience a spike in COVID-19 cases between now and the end of the season or even prior to our next race which would lead to more government-issued shutdowns. While we remain optimistic, we must remain realistic with the cards being dealt to us at this time.
With that being said, the ATQMRA Rookie of the Year will still be awarded and a handicap system will still be scored. As always, our first 3 scheduled races will be pill-draw, and then handicap from there until the end. The exception of course would be Turkey Derby, which has its own respective format.
2020 Schedule Update:
Our confirmed races at this present time are as follows:
Saturday, June 27th, Mahoning Valley Speedway
Saturday, August 15th, Bethel Motor Speedway
Saturday, September 19th, Chapel Hill Speedway
Saturday, November 7th, Bethel Motor Speedway
Buddy had a good conversation with Diane at Wall Stadium a couple of weeks back. She is excited to have us however right now she has no further updates on her schedule other than the practices she has announced over the month of July. We will provide a Wall Stadium update as soon as applicable.
Buddy is also working with other tracks about scheduling/rescheduling dates for us. At this time, the focus remains on putting on a great and safe show at Mahoning Valley this weekend.
Mahoning Valley, Saturday, June 27th Entry List:
This will be our first race at Mahoning Valley with a new promoter. It is extremely important we have a clean, fast, safe show with a strong car count. My tentative entry list is as follows:
1B- Bailey
12- A Payne
22- Taraska
23- Stoehr
36- Sload
51-Tidman
51S- Sutton
55- Dodorico
55C- Craig
75- Yoder
76- Page
95- Kot
98 – Proctor
If this list is inaccurate, as in you see your name on the list but are not attending or do not see your name on the list and plan to attend, please let me know. Furthermore, for the sake of the social media published entry list, please let me know your primary sponsors and hometown. You can email or text me 732-850-0189.
Mahoning Valley Track Schedule:
Pit gates open at 10:30 am. There will be early paid practice from noon to 2:30 pm priced at $25 per car. Pit admission is $25 members, $35 non-members. Diver sign-ins are from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm. Heat races get underway at 6:00 pm.
Adult grandstand admission is $14. $2 discount for active military, students and seniors 65+. Must have a valid ID. Children 10 & under are free.
*I will have a more detailed schedule pertaining to the ATQMRA towards the end of this week.
Mahoning Valley, Saturday, June 27th Social Distancing Protocols:
A table will be set up out of the back of the sign-in (Buddy’s) trailer. ONE PERSON will be permitted at a time to stand on the tailgate. Whether it be for sign-in, or purchasing tires/fuel- one person will be permitted to walk up to the table and stand on the tailgate at a time. For the health and safety of Buddy’s parents, you are REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING when on the tailgate/around Buddy’s trailer. NO ONE outside of Buddy’s crew and family will be permitted inside Buddy’s trailer. There are no exceptions to the rule.
We are also REQUIRING FACE COVERINGS TO BE WORN AT OUR DRIVERS MEETING. At the meeting, please do your best to practice social distancing amongst your peers. We will do our best to move the meeting as quickly as possible.
It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that ATQMRA members stay within their own pit while not viewing the on-track action and do not enter the trailers of competitors. Furthermore, it is recommended that you wear a mask when coming within 6 feet of someone not on your pit crew.
As for the face-covering requirements, I understand this may be frustrating for some of you as well. Trust me, personally, I am not crazy about wearing a mask either. However, this will be enforced more so for the safety of those around you than anything else. Between signing in and the drivers meeting, we are requiring you to cover your face maybe 10 minutes out of the day? We are not asking for much. My employees wear a mask for 8 hours+ in a hot kitchen at Chick-fil-A and they all survive. All I am saying is, don’t come complaining to the PR Guy on Saturday because we are siding with safety by being extra precautious.
At the end of the day, we GREATLY appreciate your continued support of the ATQMRA and the flexibility you have given during these trying times. There has not been anything ideal in what has taken place since early March. We are all in this together. If we stick together, we will make this work and we will still have a successful 2020 season. We need to make the best of a bad situation, and that starts this Saturday at Mahoning.
Looking forward to seeing many of you this weekend. Reach out to myself or Buddy with questions as always!
Sources: Kyle Taraska/Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA PR