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Allentown, PA – The Indoor Auto Racing Series is set to kick off this weekend at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA, bringing together a unique blend of dirt and asphalt drivers for an exciting showdown. The event, sponsored by Ironton Global, marks the first two main events in a four-event series featuring the popular TQ Midget division.
The series is particularly significant as it brings together drivers from diverse backgrounds, including Modified, Sprint Car, Midget, and Late Model racers, all of whom will compete head-to-head. With such a mix of racing styles, the competition is expected to be fierce, and bragging rights will be on the line as the drivers battle it out for the top spot.
The TQ Midget races are known for their tight, high-speed action inside the arena, making this a must-see event for fans of all forms of motorsports. Who will emerge victorious as the series kicks off in Allentown? Fans can expect plenty of drama and excitement as dirt and asphalt drivers clash in this unique and thrilling environment.
Ryan Flores of Huntersville, NC is the most accomplished driver in the ten year – 13 TQ Midget race history in Allentown with six victories. A full-time front-tire changer for the NASCAR Penske Cup team driving by Ryan Blaney, first in an asphalt Modified race from time to time, but he’s considered a TQ Midget Indoor Racing Series expert on the concrete floors of both Allentown and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City where the two final events will be held
Remove Flores from the Allentown stats and dirt drivers have a four to three advantage over the pavement pounders. Dirt Modified driver Erick Rudolph, who won the first race held in the building in 2016 repeated in 2020. Tanner VanDoren scored an upset victory a year ago on Friday night as 15 year-old rookie in the division. Dirt Sprint Car driver Scott Kruetter scored a single win giving the dirt four victories.
On the pavement side, four-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore scored a win in 2018 and former Indoor Series champion Anthony Sesely a victory in 2023. Full-time ATQMR Midget driver Matt Janisch picked at single win in 2019 to give asphalt regulars a third score.
Leading the Dirt Modified contingent into Allentown where a 30 lap feature will be held on Friday and 40 lappper on Saturday, will be VanDoren. Proving his win last year was no fluke, he finished the series second in the point standings to Flores last year.
Billy Pauch Jr. in the JSR Racing No. 98p and former series champion Tim Buckwalter in a revised Bill Pippard No. 8 are expected to be strong contenders. Wild cards among dirt Modified Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year the last two seasons, Alex Payne and Matt Caprara. Payne will make his TQ and Series debut in the Tyler Bartlett No. 93. Caprara returns to the series for a second year hoping to have shed mechanical issues that slowed his progress last year.
Allentown’s own Briggs Danner should be considered the leading contender among Dirt Sprint Car drivers entered. He’d like nothing better to win his first TQ Midget series race after a podium finish to end the 2024 season in Atlantic City.
Ryan Smith returns to the Indoor Series in the George Van Varick No. 43 after recently being announced as one of three drivers for the potent Don Kreitz No. 69K Sprint Car this season. Kreutter will be back as well in search of his second win in Allentown. Seth Carlson of Stafford Springs, CT is a true wild card, entering his first series race in a car recent purchased by long-time car owner Skip Matczak.
The asphalt side is loaded with talented. Four-time Atlantic City Gambler’s Classic winner Andy Jankowiak leads the contingent to Allentown, but the ARCA Stock car and Pavement Modified driver is in search of his first Allentown win. To say he is due, is an under statement, he’s been so close in the past.
After a sub-par season, look for Anthony Sesely to return as a contender. A seven time winner on the series, a second Allentown win would be a huge stress releive for the popular driver. Tommy Catalano and Matt Swanson are returning with what was proven to be two of the fastest TQ Midgets last year, but luck never allowed them to achieve that first series win.
Don’t count Catalano’s younger brother Trevor, the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Rookie of the Year, who is running one of three new TQ’s he and his two other brothers will be debuting this weekend.
Two top guns from the CT’s Stafford Motor Speedway could be considered as wild cards. Mike Christopher, a four-time winner at Stafford in 2024, is back in a Trey Hoddick car that showed some real speed last year with changes made to make it even better. Corey DiMatteo, who finished one spot behind Christopher in third in the Stafford Modified standings this year, is returning the series in the Donny Preece No. 40, a team that saw huge series success with Ted Christopher as it’s driver.
ATQMRA outdoor TQ Midget racers Joey Bailey in the Lenny and Donna Boyd No. 1B and Tyler Ferris in the Brien Hamer No. 7 could also knock off a win for the pavement side. Bailey spent the majority of his season racing pavement Midets this year. Ferris pulled off a huge first win in a TQ Midget at the season finale Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium. Look for Tyler Wagner to be a factor as well driving a reburished TQ now owned by Mike Corgliano.
The melting pot of drivers from different classes also includes 600cc dirt Micro Sprint driver Kyle Lick who finished third in the points last year, an always strong running asphalt Late Model driver in Jeremy Haudricourt from New York. Go-Kart winner Doug Stearly will be doing double duty, returning to the Ken Sebring team as a teammate with Swanson.
In addition to the fast-paced TQ Midget races, the weekend will feature support divisions, including the popular Slingshots and Champ Karts.
Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster (make sure it’s not a higher priced resale outlet) or the PPL Center Box Office, with family-friendly pricing starting at just $20 for adults and $5 for children. Fans can also enjoy an exclusive pre-race FanFest on the arena floor by purchasing 100 level lower level seats on Saturday night, where they can meet drivers and walk the track before Saturday night’s race.
Following the Allentown events, the Indoor Racing Series heads to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, for the NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic on January 31 and February 1, before concluding the season at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ, on February 21 and 22 with a high-banked dirt track event with wingless 600 Sprints.
For more information, including ticket details, hotel deals, and racer rules, visit (https://www.IndoorAutoRacing.com).
