Matt Gerald in the #195 Light Buggy

Jul 29, 2008

Written by Potawatomi Racing www.potawatomiracing.com

For all those in attendance at Crandon Raceway on the third weekend in June of this year, you might have noticed something a little peculiar if you were paying proper attention.

I’m not talking about anything that happened on the track. I’m not talking about the strange weather that seemed to sprinkle rain on everyone even though the sun was still shining. I’m not even talking about the fact that a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver was on hand for that event. What I’m referring to happened at the podium of the SRT 1600 Light Buggy division.

Now, people might already know the name Matt Gerald and might not think it is a surprise that he won. However, compare him to the men to his left and right and what is different about the three? Gerald seems to have quite a bit less wear and tear on his body. Basically, he’s younger.

As shown by where he was standing on that podium, the 25-year-old does not need to use his age as an excuse for lack of results. In fact, others might want to start saying they are too old to keep up with the extremely successful Gerald.

Thus far in the World Series of Off Road Racing (WSORR) season, Forest County Potawatomi’s lone Buggy driver has finished no lower than 7th, out of at least 22 cars, in his eight events while taking two checkered flags along the way.

When asked if he had a favorite memory in his young racing career, the Neenah,WI native said, “Actually, last race in Crandon was my favorite. Winning both the races, we’ve never been able to sweep a weekend.”

The victories almost seem inevitable for Gerald, as racing is in his blood. His father, raced for “about 15 or 20 years.” Not only that, but the only person in front of Matt in the WSORR point standings one of his best friends, Mike Vanden Heuvel.

“We are pretty good friends,” said Gerald. “We work out of the same shop. He actually built my car and it works great.”

That’s quite apparent. The driver of the #195 buggy has been so successful that FCP teammate Jeff Kincaid has trusted him to drive his Pro Light Truck at Oshkosh in his absence. Considering the amount of work Kincaid and his team do to their truck, that is quite the tip-of-the-cap in this youngster’s talent.

“Yeah, we’re really looking forward to that,” admitted Gerald. “Obviously I’d like to race Pro Light in the near future, but I’m not going to force the issue.”

If this young man, who won his first race when he was just out of high school at Bark River International Raceway, keeps going at the pace that he is, the issue shouldn’t have to be forced at all.

In his debut race in the Pro Light Truck, Gerald finished 5th. While working his way through the pack in his second race Gerald was all the way in 4th place before tipping the truck and settling for 7th.