NEWPORT NEWS, VA :: If big money, big sponsors and a big ego is any indication of Matt Waltz’s chances to win the Hampton Heat 200 at Langley Speedway, we can only shake our heads as to why this race team would ever unload from the hauler. But what if the guy had a big heart and was determined, driven and ready as anyone could ever be? Then let’s introduce one of the growing faces around Langley Speedway in its premier Late Model race division in Matt Waltz. Waltz Racing is not by any means a stranger to Langley Speedway. After a year away, racing at Motor Mile and select events at South Boston, Matt Waltz is ready to win.

“It would mean a heck of a lot, not just for me as a driver but for our whole program,” stated Waltz about winning the Hampton Heat 200. “You know, were not out there to make money but with it being ten grand to win, it sure is a big deal to a small budget race team like ours. To be the winner of a race at this magnitude would be big for me as the steering wheel holder for this race team.”

Matt Waltz does have a small advantage over most coming into this even. The young talent has already won three times in 2013 at Langley Speedway. Knowing how to win here and putting in the practice laps easily identifies Matt Waltz as a threat to win the Hampton Heat.

But 200 laps around this race track is no easy task. The .396 mile oval is a track where you are constantly up on the wheel. Always cranking left and hitting those marks are crucial in your entry that dictates your exit out of Langley’s wide sweeping turns. So just how will Matt Waltz go about racing this long race?

“You know, I’ve never won a race this big but I can’t really see too much different than what we’ve been doing all year,” Waltz explained. “I think we have had good race cars and we just got to make sure we have good balance, making sure we save the tires and being there at the end. Really for the first hundred laps, if I’m not leading the race, I’d like to at least be within the top three. We just got to maintain and make sure were good for the last half because that the one that counts.”

But hey, Matt Waltz is no fool and will not be intimidated either. Just as Matt has enjoyed moderate success, he hasn’t forgotten about the races that got away and how he lost them. When asked if the Hampton Heat would be the exception because of its high dollar payday to forget the past? Matt Waltz had this to say, “Were going to survive the races first 150 laps but when it comes down to the end…I’m going to remember. You know, whether I was in the right or in the wrong, whoever showed me some patience and gave me the room, they’re going to get more respect than the guys who didn’t especially in the last couple of laps.”

So is Matt Waltz ready to win a big race with lots of laps and a nice chunk of change? If I was a betting man I sure would take that bet, do not be easily fooled by this family owned and operated race team. His oldest brother, Kyle Waltz, is his crew chief, his youngest brother, Daniel Waltz, is his spotter, his father is the one who oversees the racing operations and his number one fan and mother screaming for her son from the stands. Then, of course, there are the friends that help the team on the crew. Keep a sharp eye this weekend on the #2 Waltz Engineered, Davon Inc, Law Offices of Phillip Forbes, Creech Motorsports, Banks Racing Engines, J2 Performance Chevrolet from Newport News, VA.

RACE22.com will have Live Coverage of the Hampton Heat 200 on Saturday.