Buddy Sload Wins Tony Romit Memorial TQ Race at Wall Stadium Speedway By Earl Krause (WALL TWP., NJ 7/27/203) – Leading all the way, Buddy Sload of Glenmore, Pa., won his first ATQMRA TQ-Midget feature of the season when he triumphed in Saturday night’s “Tony Romit Memorial” 25-lap feature at Wall Stadium Speedway. The race honored popular, two-time ATQMRA champion and many-time winner Tony Romit. He passed away from natural causes many years ago, but is still highly-regarded and an inspiration for drivers and teams of today. Ironically, Sload’s first career TQ victory came in the 2011 edition of the Romit Memorial at Wall Stadium. The win on Saturday was his fourth at that track. This past Saturday, Sload kept his family No. 53, with a Lamar Schaefer Racing engine, in command all the way, But he had to outduel defending and three-time ATQMRA champion Ryan Tidman over the last five laps. Sload increased his lead to a full straightaway on Wall’s high- banked, third-mile paved oval over the first 10 tours. Behind him, a thrilling duel took place from second through fifth between rookies Kyle Resco and Joey Bailey, and veterans Mike Tidaback and Frank Fischer. Meanwhile, eighth-starting Tidman was still out of the top- five. By lap 15, as Sload maintained his long lead, Tidaback advanced to second as Bailey raced close with Fischer. Fischer then took third and began dueling with Tidaback for runner-up honors. Joey Bailey’s fine run ended with five laps to go when he spun in the fourth turn while in fourth. Sload led on the restart, but behind him Tidaback and Fischer tangled and spun in turn one. At the same time, Resco pulled his Colin Martin No. 36 to the pit area and did not restart. Tidman was now in second for the final restart, and based on his two wins at Wall earlier this year and two in 2012, was certainly a favorite to make a late race bid for top honors. But Sload was up to the challenge and raced to the win. In victory lane, he dedicated it to his 91-year old grandmother, Doris Strock. It was the first time that Doris had seen her grandson win a TQ feature. Brett Conkling continued his impressive season with a third place finish in the silver No. 28, with Fischer coming back for fourth and Jeff Kot taking fifth over Tidaback. WALLTQ NOTES: Kyle Resco is the son of former winning ATQMRA and ARDC Midget driver Bob Resco. Kyle, age 18, resides with the family in Wake Forest, N.C. and attends North Carolina State University... Kyle and driver Joey Bailey, from Monroe, N.J., both competed as youngsters at the Garden State Quarter-Midget Club QMA track that’s adjacent to Wall Stadium. Matt Janisch was set to drive the Roselli Racing Team No. 98x as a teammate to Matt Roselli in the No. 98. However, both cars were sidelined early due to reported motor problems. The trophies for the Tony Romit Memorial were awarded on behalf of Racing with Jesus Ministries. Wall RWJM chaplain Bob Menschner presented winner Buddy Sload and the No. 53 team with those trophies in victory lane. The next race at Wall for the ATQMRA is on Sept. 21. They are also scheduled to compete at the “New Jersey Shore Speedway” on Oct. 26 and at the annual Turkey Derby on Nov. 30.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 02:33:57 +0000