BRENT MATUS ON THE HUNT FOR VICTORY IN SUPER SPRINTS AT TRI-CITY
by Brian Spaid

July 26, 2003 

                As the Super Sprint season winds down at Tri-City Speedway, Ed Lynch Jr. of Apollo and Rod George of Kittanning are being hunted down. The rest of the field is a bunch of bounty hunters.

                On July 13, a weekly $100 progressive bounty was placed on Lynch and George, who have won every Super Sprint feature at the half-mile Venango County dirt oval since May, 2002. If any driver can defeat Lynch or George while either or both of them are still running at the end of the Super Sprint feature, then that driver will collect the extra bounty. Each week that passes without a new winner, the bounty increases to $100.

                Last Sunday, no one was even close to capturing the prize. By the luck of the draw, Lynch started on the outside pole position. He led every lap despite the fact that the brake pedal fell off inside the cockpit of his winged machine midway through the race. George finished second. Third place Jarod Larson was nearly a full track behind Lynch at the end of the race.

                With that result, Lynch and George stomped on the competition with a brashness that nearly boasted others to catch them.

                Among those challengers is Brent Matus. The second-generation Super Sprint ace nearly pulled off the feat on July 13, the night the bounty was announced. He led the first 13 laps of the race before Lynch rocketed past into an insurmountable lead. Matus finished a career-best second at Tri-City, and gained a ton of confidence as a result.

                “We were real pleased with that result,” said Matus. “My specialty is a slick track, and I’m getting more and more confident at Tri-City.”

                The Wampum racer started his racing career in 1984 and moved into the Super Sprints in 1989. Following the steps of his father, Jerry, the young Matus wanted to make his mark on the sport, and he’s gradually improved over the years.

                “Filling Dad’s shoes is tough,” smiled Matus. “He’s won four or five track championships and a lot feature races. Dad was always a hired driver. He’d come home at night with his helmet bag, wash his suit, and go racing. Me, I’m the driver and owner, and I have to pay all the bills.”

                With two career wins at Lernerville Speedway, Matus, 34, remains a consistent force in local racing. Being the car owner and driver brings a different perspective to his racing endeavors.

                “If I could, I’d want to be a hired driver and get paid. But I’ve been doing this so long, that I enjoy being able to choose where I want to race. There’s also a lot less pressure.”

                It also can change his driving style on any given night.

                “There’s no question that you think twice when you are in a battle on the track. When I’m out there, sometimes I think about the money and I’m a little cautious. When I’m down on spare parts, I watch myself. When we’re good on spare parts, I’m a little more aggressive.”

                Despite this approach to racing, Matus does not believe it affects his performance on the track.

                “This is an expensive sport. Let’s face it, everyone’s racing for the money to put in their cars and teams. We all want the glory of the win, but the money can’t be ignored. If you run for the glory, you won’t last long. You have to be conscious of those things when you’re racing each other.”

                Speaking of finances, Matus’ sponsors include McClymand’s Supply & Transit Co., Inc., of Porterville, JSP International and Young Funeral Home of Butler, Signs by Sam of Ellwood City, A.L. Kayafas Insurance Agency Inc. and Allied Rubber & Rigging Supply Co. of Wampum, U1st Uniforms of New Kensington, and S&S Processing of West Pittsburgh.

                This season, Matus finally seems to have worked the bugs out of his Gambler No. 33. Within the last few weeks, especially the night he finished second, Matus and his loyal crew believe they found the right combination.

                “We had to change a lot of things to fit my driving style. We worked on tire circumference, stagger, spring rates, shocks, weight settings. It’s taken us a while, but we’re finally there. We’ve got a new car and engine in the shop, but we’re not ready to bring it out yet, especially when we got this car figured out.”

                In addition to his wife, Jackie, and his children, Elisabeth and Brandon, Matus credits the support he receives from his crew with helping him find some success. They include Joey Butera, Sam Meilke, Doug Russell, Paul Lombardo, Doug Wilson and Blaine Miller.

                “I get so much support from so many people, that I can’t thank them enough.,” said Matus. “Brandon’s done well racing go-karts, but we haven’t been out much this season. I think he really wants to race these cars one day.”

                For now, Matus is focused on the Tri-City bounty. He ignores the naysayers and believes in himself, his crew and his car.

“I want to be the first to beat Rod George and Ed Lynch. I want to the hero.”