Buddy Sload Earns the Victory at Waterford’s “Blast-off” Weekend
ByThe Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA powered by VP made the long trek up north to Waterford, CT, Saturday for the second event of the series’ season. With pit gates opening at 8:00 am, crews were fully prepared for an all-day affair under beautiful sunny skies.
Matt Janisch, who elected to enter his own #48 Yuhas chassis, which is the same car that won the 2018 season opener at Mahoning Valley a mere two weeks ago, with driver Kris Graver behind the wheel. Graver, swapped rides with Janisch this weekend, as he was behind the wheel of Alan Mollot’s #51.
Janisch set quick time in practice running a blistering 13.426 second lap. His good fortune continued by drawing the pole position for the first, 10-lap heat race. ATQMRA “Invader,” Avery Stoehr drew the pole position for the second 10-lap heat race of the afternoon.
Matt Janisch dominated the first heat leading wire-to-wire, capturing the flag for his first “unofficial” win of the season as a driver. Matt Swanson, a New England Modified “Invader” powered his #02 Starrett Racing TQ Midget to victory in a thrilling race for car owner Russ Bailey.
On the third lap of the event, #36 Buddy Sload made a daring move for the lead between himself and pole-sitter Stoehr. Contact was made between Stoehr and Sload, which ultimately ended Stoehr’s race on his side. The incident also involved Mahoning Valley winner #51 Kris Graver, who failed to complete his heat as well. After a brief red flag, the heat race resumed without incident.
After the redraw, Sload won the pole with defending ATQMRA champion Ryan Tidman starting to his outside, and heat race #1 winner Matt Janisch starting in third. Swanson, the winner of heat race #2, drew the sixth starting position.
The 25-lap feature was nothing short of spectacular. The race, only halted for once when #51B Joey Bailey’s evening went up in smoke. Bailey, made a phenomenal save keeping his car off the wall, however disappointment arose as a blown motor ruined his chances at a solid finish.
The race was highlighted with a duel from both Buddy Sload and Matt Janisch. Janisch, although never got around Sload for the lead, never was more than 3-car lengths off the rear tail of Sload the entire run. This marked the first win of the year for Buddy Sload, as well as Spitfire.
Congratulations to Buddy Sload and his entire team on their victory at Waterford! The Hoosier Mid-Atlantic ATQMRA presented by VP will be taking a week off, prior to heading to Bethel, NY on Saturday May, 19th.
Heat 1 Race Results
1. #48 Matt Janisch
2. #51B Joey Bailey
3. #1B Ryan Tidman
4. #73x Cole Mullen
5. #50 Carl Medeiros Jr.
6. #17 Ronnie Mullen
Heat 2 Race Results
1. #02 Matt Swanson
2. #75 Mark Yoder
3. #20 Jon Keller
4. #36 Buddy Sload
5. #23 Avery Stoehr
6. #51 Kris Graver
Feature Race Results
1. #36 Buddy Sload
2. #48 Matt Janisch
3. #1B Ryan Tidman
4. #75 Mark Yoder
5. #02 Matt Swanson
6. #50 Carl Medeiros Jr.
7. #17 Ronnie Mullen
8. #20 Jon Keller
9. #51B Joey Bailey
10. #73x Cole Mullen
11. #51 Kris Graver
12. #23 Avery Stoehr