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Atlantic City, N.J. – Before leaving for Atlantic City, Mike Tidabeck’s girlfriend told him that this was the year he was going to win the main-event. He shrugged off the comment because his girlfriend had never been to Boardwalk Hall and she didn’t realize how difficult the competition was.
But by the end of Saturday night his girlfriend was proved right. Tidabeck walked out of Atlantic City $5,000 richer after winning the sixth annual M&R Midget (TQ Midget/600cc Micro-Sprint) 40-lap Gambler’s Classic presented by SoBe Life Water.
“This is a dream come true,” stated the 39-year-old driver from Little Falls, N.J. “This is a big race for us because you run against the best in the Northeast; it’s like our Super Bowl.”
Tidabeck, driving a Lindblad Chassis powered by a Rudy Boetticher Sr. engine, started the event from the inside of the third row. He patiently worked his way into the runner-up position and then when the leader got slowed in traffic he went to the outside to grab the top spot at the halfway point. He suffered through a scare with three laps remaining when he and Tim Adams came together on a restart in turn one but ultimately he held on to win the main-event.
Following Tidaback to the checkered flag was two-time event winner, Joey Paine. Finishing in third after leading the early portions of the event was Tim Adams.
Bobby Santos III drove Garky King’s 600 C.C. Micro Sprint to a fourth place finish. Frank Polimeda came from the C-Main to finish fifth.
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AT THE START: At the start of the event, James Michael Friesen took the lead from his pole starting position with Adams dropping into the runner-up spot.
NEW LEADER: The caution came out on lap four when Stewart Friesen’s no.9 slowed on the back straightaway. The caution allowed Adams to pull along side Friesen on the front row. When the green flag flew once again, Adams was able to take the top spot away.
TRAFFIC CHANGES EVERYTHING: On lap 17, Adams began to encounter slower traffic at the tail of the field. As he navigated his way through he decided to work low in turn three and followed the slower traffic. Tidaback saw his opportunity and drove his no.43 around the outside to take the lead as the duo raced off of turn four.
“Tim (Adams) came up on traffic and decided to follow the slower car on the inside,” said Tidaback. “They weren’t moving so I decided that this was my chance. I had to try something so I went to the outside and it stuck.
“That is what Atlantic City is all about.”
ONE MORE SHOT: As the laps clicked off, Tidaback continued to lead with Adams still holding on to the runner-up position. With three laps remaining, the caution came out as Steve Smith spun in turn three.
On the ensuing restart, Adams stayed alongside Tidaback and the two came together as they raced into turn one with Tidaback remaining the leader.
“Tim (Adams) was taking a shot at the win,” stated Tidaback. “I wasn’t going to back down and neither was he and we bumped. I cleared him and the caution came out again.”
TAKING THE CHECKERS: Tidaback held on for the final restart and was able to lead the remaining two laps to claim his first ever Atlantic City victory. Adams meanwhile dealt with Payne as the two raced off the corner with Adams getting the wall and Payne, 41, squeaking by for second at the line.
“I might have had a shot at the win but I got together with Pauch on the last caution and bent the rear,” commented Payne. “Congratulations to Mike Tidaback, I’m glad for him that he was able to win.”
WORKING HARD FOR SECOND: Payne, of Fair Lawn, N.J., had to work his way up through the field a couple of times before taking second. He worked his way into the top ten in the early laps and then on lap eight he ducked into the pits to change a flat left front flat tire.
“We come here to put on a show,” said Payne. “I don’t think anyone passed as many cars as I did tonight. I came from the back a couple times and just came up a little short but I think we put on a great show for the fans and that’s why we’re here.”
WRECKED RACECAR: Adams was trying to hold on to the runner-up position but as he came off of turn four he pushed the car a little two hard and made hard contact with the outside wall destroying the front of ride.
“I got loose coming off the turn and didn’t lift,” stated Adams. “I saw Payne underneath me and I was trying to pull him off the turn and I kept my foot buried in the floor.”
RACE NIGHT NOTES: Rick Eckert hopped in the ride vacated by Ken Schrader and spun at the start of the C-Main. He went to the pits and retired for the evening…Billy Pauch Jr. had his night end before the start of the C-Main as he dropped fluid at the speedway before the race began…Curtis Friesen went up in smoke in the C-Main…Cody Darrah was running in a transfer spot when he was forced pit side in the B-Main…Former winners Lou Cicconi Jr. and Jeff Heotzler were unable to complete the A-Main after experiencing problems.
M&R Midget Feature Finish: Mike Tidaback, Joey Payne, Tim Adams, Bobby Santos III, Frank Polimeda, Jack Spence, Steve Smith, Rob Vivona, Mike Lichty, Tim Proctor, Billy Pauch Sr., James Friesen, Chris DeRitis, Jeff Heotzler, Jeff Kot, Johnny Payne, Danny Shirey, Greg Cable, Donald Zrinski, Lou Cicconi Jr., Matt Janisch, Erick Rudolph, Mike Iles, Pat Bealer, Stewart Friesen, Monnie Wonder.
M&R Midgets D-Main No. 1 – Phil Dimario
M&R Midgets D-Main No. 2 – Marco Michetti
M&R Midgets C-Main No. 1 – Frank Polimeda
M&R Midgets C-Main No. 2 – Jack Conover
M&R Midgets B-Main – Frank Polimeda
George Stockinger Gambler Consolation Sponsored by Dr. Lowe $500 – Joey Payne
C&B Race Products, RTS Chassis, Hyper Racing First 600 in Feature - $600 – Bobby Santos III
First TQ In Feature - $200 – Mike Tidaback
M&R Midgets Triple 20s Hard Luck Award – Frank Polimeda
Behrent’s Performance Dash for Cash - $500 – Lou Cicconi Jr.
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