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Johnston Wins Romit Memorial

Besting Largest Division of cars to race the high banks at Wall Stadium in 2010

The Pits and Grandstands of Wall Stadium were dotted with Romit Memorial shirts and the Blue and Gold Brice’s NAPA hats to celebrate the career of the late great Tony Romit in the 35 lap ATQMRA Headlining Feature event. Veteran Robin Johnston advanced from his eighth starting position to overtake Matt Roselli on the 23^rd lap to earn the victory over the 24 car starting field and take the $800.00 top prize.

The ultra competitive ATQMRA saw Matt Roselli have his career best night in the TQ midgets. From the pole position Roselli powered into the lead over Josh Dalrymple with veteran Mike Tidaback quickly moved into second but couldn’t mount a challenge. A lap 5 red flag for a flipping Rudy Boetticher tightened up the field. Boetticher was unhurt in the incident. On the ensuing restart veteran Don Adams advanced from his third starting position to take the lead on the inside of Roselli heading into the third turn. Once ahead it looked like everyone was racing for second place. Adams opened a commanding lead when the engine in the 51 went up in smoke coming off the fourth turn on lap 17 putting Roselli back at the point.

Johnston moved into second on lap 18 and began applying pressure to Roselli and was able to make the decisive pass entering the first turn on the low side on lap 22 going on to record the lucrative win.

A tight battle for the second position ensued between Roselli, Paul Lotier Jr. Matt Janisch and Mike Tidaback. The group battled side by side down to the wire with Roselli coming home with his career best finish of second with the always a contender at Wall Lotier third to round out the podium. Matt Janisch rolled in fourth with Jeff Kot charging to a solid top five.

Johnston got a rise from the appreciative fans in victory lane and put his car behind the grandstands to sign autographs and have kids both young and old sit in his car.

The “Romit” family Carol, Donnie, and Darren Alesio presented the special awards to the race winner in victory lane. Johnston received a beautiful plaque and commemorative oversize check with a picture of the ATQMRA’s Greatest showman Tony Romit. Bob Menschner with the Racing with Jesus Ministries presented a trophy to Johnston and did the invocation at the TQ driver’s meeting.

The first heat race saw pole sitter Matt Roselli take advantage of his pole starting position and run away from the pack and take his first heat race win by half a straight away besting Austin Fehr, Alison Cumens Mike Tidaback, Bob Watkins and Jeff Kot. The Top three finishers all cut their teeth in the Quarter Midget ranks.

The second heat saw Rookie of the year contender Josh Dalrymple take the early lead over Ian Cumens before Johnston advanced to second when Cumens dropped out of the race with a mechanical gremlin. Johnston overtook Quarter Midget Graduate Dalrymple on the fifth of eight laps to take the win by ten car lengths at the end. Veteran competitor Rudy Boetticher finished third with JP Cossman 4^th, Mark Pritchard 5^th and Howard Boss rounding out the qualifiers.

The third heat race was the most competitive of the night with Rookie of the Year contender Joe Lord Jr, in the Tom Williams 9w Badger earning the victory by 0.087 seconds over Don Adams in the Alan Mollot 51 Badger. The top four cars took the checkered flag under a blanket in four abreast formation after slicing and dicing for the lead for the duration of the qualifier. It was the first heat race win for the high point Rookie of the Year contender who has been impressive since moving into the TQ Midgets at the beginning of the season.

ATQMRA News and Notes: The Romit Memorial always brings a strong field with 24 of the mighty TQ midgets signed into the pits with most taking advantage of the early practice session. Special thanks go out to Carol, Donnie, and Darren Alesio as well as Robert Noll for making the Romit Memorial Race possible. They handed out a hundred commemorative shirts to competitors and fans and contributed significantly to the purse.

Defending race winner Frank Fischer rolled to a tenth place finish and was unable to match his performance from the first running of the Romit Memorial. Midget and TQ veteran Steve Craig raced his 55 car originally built by his father the late great Doug Craig. 2007 ATQMRA driving titlist Bob Watkins moved from his 16^th starting position to 8^th when a mechanical problem ended his day. The other second generation open wheel racer in the field was ATQMRA rookie and ARDC midget competitor Trevor Kobylarz in the Lou Cicconi 48X. Kobylarz was making his second race after attending Mahoning Valley earlier in the year only to be rained out.

Returning to competition in the Metz Racing F8 was 1982 ATQMRA Most improved Driver Mark Pritchard who finished fifth in his heat but was out early in the feature. Veteran competitor JP Cossman returned to competition after several years absence. Michael Pares Jr. a decorated Go Kart champion made his TQ midget debut in the Shaun Carig 54 Badger. Second finishing Matt Roselli’s team credited Bj MacDonald for the improved performance of the 98 car. Next up for the TQ midgets is a trip to Chemung Speedrome on Friday July 9^th with pit gates opening at 3pm.

On a sad note ATQMRA Newcomer Rookie Buddy Sload was diagnosed with a slow moving form of cancer and will be undergoing treatment to eradicate the disease. The ATQMRA family sends its prayers and best wishes to Buddy for a speedy recovery.