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Allentown, PA (Saturday, Jan. 4) – Andy Jankowiak broke through for his first win in 15 starts at the PPL Center by executing a late race pass to perfection in Saturday night’s Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Auto Series TQ Midget Race.
The victory was the 36-year-old Tonawanda, NY native’s eighth with the Indoor Auto Racing Series Championship, putting himself firmly in third on the series’ all-time wins list.
“Not winning here bothered me so much,” Jankowiak said post-race. “I’ve left here so many times beating up on myself, so to go under that checkered flag knowing it was my day finally, it’s an incredible feeling and something that I won’t forget.”
Jankowiak started sixth when the 40-lap feature went green. However, he didn’t stay there for too long as he eventually found himself in third and beating down the rear bumper of Tanner VanDoren for second with 15 laps to go.
From there, both VanDoren and Jankowiak muscled around race long leader Anthony Sesely, setting up a war between a rising star and one of TQ Midget racing’s best. Jankowiak saw the opportunity to make his move with five to go as he sent his No. 57 down the inside of VanDoren in turn one. But the move wouldn’t count as the caution flew before the lap was finished.
On the restart, Jankowiak got the advantage on the outside and rocketed around VanDoren off turn two for the lead. Ryan Flores tried to make a last-ditch effort at the lead on the final lap but Jankowiak remained cool under pressure and ripped turn four for the win.
Flores settled for the runner-up position, missing out on the Ironton Auto Body Challenge – which would’ve sent the North Carolina native home with a $10,000 weekend. VanDoren, Sesely, and Kyle Lick completed the top five.
The Bob Hilbert Sportswear sponsored TQ Fast Time Award Saturday was earned by Matt Swanson following a speedy session in which drivers had multiple opportunities to improve their times. Swanson’s 7.473 came during his second run just as time expired. Andy Jankowiak (7.512), Briggs Danner (7.593), Tanner VanDoren (7.599) and Ryan Flores (7.601) completed the top five.
E Schneider & Sons sponsored the four TQ Midget heats. Kyle Lick, Andy Jankowiak, Shawn Nye and Anthony Sesely came out of the gripping races victorious by only a few car lengths each.
Aqua Duck Water Transport sponsored the TQ Saturday night B-Mains. Scott Krueter won a rugged first B-Main, while Briggs Danner took home the second one.
Todd Crenshaw of Winchester, VA put on a dominating display of driving in the 20-lap Champ Kart feature by shooting out front early and leaving the field behind all the way to the checkered flag.
Dylan Hoch of Mertztown, PA gapped the pack on several restarts and managed to fend off a late charge from Scott Neary in a slugfest to win the 20-lap Slingshot feature.
West End Equipment Rentals sponsored the Saturday night Champ Kart heat races. Those races were claimed by Quentin Graham Jr., Todd Crenshaw and Missy Bootes. Tanner Emmons captured the B-Main.
S&S Speedways sponsored the Saturday night Slingshot heat races, which were won by Dylan Hoch, John Redner, and Scott Neary. Alex Reinsmith won the B-Main.
Atlantic City is the next stop for the Indoor Auto Racing Championship as the TQ Midgets, Champ Karts, and Slingshots will be in action at Boardwalk Hall Jan. 31 & Feb. 1 for the NAPA Auto Parts Atlantic City Indoor Race. Tickets for both nights can be purchased at ticketmaster.com
For more information about the Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Race and the Indoor Auto Racing Championship visit www.indoorautoracing.com
TQ Midgets (40 Laps) — 1. Andy Jankowiak 2. Ryan Flores 3. Tanner VanDoren 4. Anthony Sesely 5. Kyle Lick 6. Scott Kreutter 7. Joey Bailey 8. Mike Christopher Jr 9. Billy Pauch Jr 10. Trevor Catalano 11. Jeremy Haudricourt 12. Tyler Ferris 13. Alex Payne 14. Timmy Catalano 15. Nick Ladyga 16. Jonathan Reid 17. Tim Buckwalter 18. Briggs Danner 19. Tommy Catalano 20. Shawn Nye 21. Matt Swanson 22. Tyler Catalano 23. Matt Janisch 24. Joe Toth
Slingshots (20 Laps) — 1. Dylan Hoch 2. Scott Neary 3. Matthew Mertz 4. Cody Bleau 5. Tyler Ulsh 6. Brett Putnam 7. Lucas Pittenger 8. Paulie Hartwig 9. Mark Mohr 10. Jon Laureigh 11. Alex Reinsmith 12. Grant Hilfiger 13. Ryan Raidline 14. Isaac Graby 15. John Redner 16. Mason Pittenger 17. James Benz 18. Louden Reimert 19. Brett Bieber 20. Dennis Garl Jr
Champ Kart (20 Laps) — 1. Todd Crenshaw 2. Missy Bootes 3. Jonathon Keister 4. Quentin Graham Jr 5. Brandon Tiezzi 6. Dylan Dinsmoor 7. TJ Reed 8. J.J. Pacovich 9. Alex Smolders 10. Ryan Borges 11. Cale Ross 12. Max Pfeifer 13. Tanner Emmons 14. Spencer Smolders 15. Hailey Eroh 16. Oliver Quinney 17. Shawn Conklin 18. John Berger 19. Alyssa Vanderpool 20. Preston DeMello
