NEWPORT NEWS, VA :: Matt Waltz emerged as one of the headliners at Martinsville Speedway in last year’s running of what is now called the Martinsville DuPont Credit Union (MDCU) 300. Waltz, a regular at Langley Speedway, seemingly came out of nowhere when he rocketed to the lead before a late race tire problem relegated him to a 20th place finish.
Waltz’s breakthrough exhibition came as a surprise to many. He was dominant in the second half of last year’s race, taking the lead before lap 120 and leading for the next 60 laps before being engaged in a thrilling 10 lap, three car battle for the lead with Lee Pulliam and Dillon Bassett. Prior to that performance, Waltz had only had three wins in his career – all three at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia.
Since then, Waltz has become an elite driver in regional NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model racing. Waltz has won 12 times in 2014 at Langley Speedway, finished second in points there, finished second in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at South Boston and appeared destined to win the Hampton Heat 200 before a controversial call took him out of contention.
Now, Waltz is looking ahead to Martinsville where he hopes and thinks he can not only duplicate last year’s performance but better it – perhaps with a victory.
“We’ve been in contention so many times in the past year or so in the big races and something happens,” Waltz said. “As long as we’re there in the show, it’s going to come down making sure we’re out there and have the right game plan as far as surviving and making it to the end. That’s our biggest thing. The car’s better than it was last year. I’m sure everybody else is better too. We went from winning three races last year to 12 this year. We have a lot of confidence going in to Wednesday and the following weekend as well.”
Waltz has performed exceptionally well in the ‘big races’ this season. Now, he’s focused on closing the deal.
“We’ve been there, we just have to focus on sealing the deal,” Waltz remarked. “Keep it up and we’ll do it sooner or later. We’ll keep learning and see what it takes to win one of these big ones. They’re tough. I mean, I don’t even know where Tommy Lemons, Jr. was with 10 to go last year. Once they throw 10 to go, it’s 75 percent luck and making sure you’re in the right position.”
When reflecting on his performance in the 2013 MDCU 300, Waltz said nothing different went through his mind as he raced Pulliam and Bassett for the win.
“It isn’t any different from racing anyone else,” Waltz explained. “No doubt he’s one of the best but, whatever. It’s not any different racing him or Kyle Busch. We all wake up and put our pants on one leg at a time. I’ve got confidence in myself and my team and know we can win races now. We won 12 this year so we go out there and do it.”
After the race, Waltz had mixed feelings. While he was excited about the performance in the race, he was also disappointed to come so close and not score the win.
“You absolutely hate losing a race after running that well but, at the same time, I was still excited about our performance on the day and having a good run. It’s a tough place to have a good run because it’s the best in the business there. Double edged sword. You hate losing the race after leading the most laps but feel good about running well.”
Waltz typically races at Langley Speedway, a track that’s nearly flat – much like Martinsville. However, Waltz says there’s not a whole lot to take from Langley that can be applied to Martinsville because of Martinsville’s long straightaways.
“I feel like the shape of the track has a little more to do and Motor Mile seems to be a little closer to Martinsville as far as racecar and how you drive it but there’s still the banking and being flat like Langley. They’re all kind of different. Motor Mile’s closer to a Martinsville kind of feel because of straightaways whereas Langley’s a circle. You keep the wheel straight for half a second whereas Martinsville and Motor Mile you go on the straightaway and ride a little bit and have time to flip switches and adjust your mirrors.”
While Waltz visited victory lane often at Langley Speedway this season, 12 times to be exact, he says the feelings he had about the season itself can be compared to the emotion after Martinsville – happy with success but disappointed in coming up short in both the Hampton Heat 200 and the battle for the track championship.
“It’s the same deal as Martinsville. I’m glad we had a good season. The Hampton Heat was a tough deal because, well, do I mess up and go down pit road or mess up and follow the leader? I feel like I was thrown out in the mix and, going from leading to finishing 23rd because it’s a wreck fest and it really defined the championship. It shot me back 26 points back. If it hadn’t been for that one, we might have won it. It sucks with a race like that because we’ve never had 23 cars on a normal night. It sucks. The whole season, it’s awesome to win over 12 races and half the races out there and there were only three nights I wasn’t in victory lane. Cool to go from winning my first race last year to winning this many times this year. It’s a daydream come true.”
Waltz has been a contender all season and, after last year’s performance at Martinsville, he will certainly have the spotlight shined on him at this year’s MDCU 300. He is ready for the spotlight and he’s hoping he will shine once again except, this time, he hopes flashbulbs will shine and pictures will be taken of him standing next to a new living room accessory – a Ridgeway grandfather clock.
