ALLENTOWN, Pa. — 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, N.Y., 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. “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.
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.
Todd Crenshaw put on a dominant 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 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.
The finish:
Feature (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
