05/03/2026
All-Star TQ Series Opening Night Recap — Columbus, Indiana
Tony Stewart Speedway at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds
Opening night of the All-Star TQ Series delivered exactly what fans hoped for tight racing, breakout performances, and storylines that are already building momentum for the season ahead.
Colby Lane Dominates Feature
The headline of the night belonged to Colby Lane, piloting the Butcher Concrete / JM Mechanical No. 31 owned by Jon Montgomery . After qualifying 4th, finishing 3rd in the dash, and 2nd in his heat, Lane put together a flawless feature performance leading all 25 laps en route to victory. His combination of speed and consistency proved untouchable, setting the early standard for the 2026 campaign.
Addison True Racing Flashes Strength in 9D
Driving the Derrickson Racing & Fabrication No. 9D, Addison True showed front-running pace all night long. Qualified 2nd, won the Dash for Cash, and won his heat race.
In the feature, True ran in the runner-up position late before making an aggressive bid for the lead with two laps remaining. The move opened the door for Joey Paxton to slip by, resulting in a 3rd-place finish.
Still, the mindset was clear second and third mean the same when you’re chasing wins.
Brandon Mefford Impresses in Dirt Debut
Making his first appearance on a small dirt track, Brandon Mefford wheeled the Petry Family Farms No. 5 “Gary” to a solid 9th-place finish.
Throughout the night, Mefford showed steady improvement and growing confidence an encouraging sign for his rookie campaign.
Josh Petry Battles Early, Strategic Exit in Feature
In the Ryan Hood -owned No. 23H, Josh Petry put together a strong heat race effort, finishing 3rd.
During the feature, Petry pulled off early—opting, as he put it, to “get a better view of the racing." While the result doesn’t show it, the pace was there early in the night.
Foster Petry Gains Valuable Experience in Jr. Sprints
Making his debut, Foster Petry showed promising speed throughout the evening in Jr. Sprint competition. While results were secondary, the night was a success in terms of learning and proving he can compete at this level. A strong foundation was laid for future races.
A Night That Sets the Tone
Opening night made one thing clear the All-Star TQ Series is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Veterans, rookies, and rising stars all had moments, and if this race was any indication, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one to watch.
From dominance to daring moves, and from first laps to first wins the stories are already writing themselves.
