JACKSONVILLE, NC – Richlands native Tyler Matthews is returning to his home track for a shot at scoring his first career win in the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old scored two top-five finishes in the series last year, including a runner-up finish at Hickory Motor Speedway, but has not competed in the series this season. Saturday night’s New River 125 presented by United Rentals, which is the first race for the CARS Tour at Goodyear All American Speedway, brings Matthews back to the 4/10-mile track in Onslow County with the hopes of winning in front of his home fans.
“That would definitely be awesome to win here,” Matthews said. “I’ve got a lot of fans that are going to be out here Saturday night. Should have a large gathering. To just get out here and run well would be big for the deal we’re doing this year. To get my first CARS Tour win here at the house would be awesome.”
Matthews’ racing career started at Goodyear All American Speedway, formerly called Coastal Plains Raceway, in the former Young Guns division before he moved up to U-CAR and Street Stocks. Despite the Jacksonville track being his home track, the former NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series North Carolina state champion has only made a handful of starts in a Late Model – each coming in 2021.
“I’ve made a fair amount of laps, just not a ton in a Late Model,” Matthews stated. “I think I only have a handful of starts here in a Late Model. We ran pretty good at the big race at the end of the year last year. This is a completely different car though, different deal with the CARS Tour.”
Matthews is familiar with the competition in the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour and knows winning will not come easy even with his experience.
“It’s always a tough race in the CARS Tour no matter where you’re at,” Matthews continued. “I feel like we’ve got a pretty decent car. We’ll see how everything shakes out once we get on fresh tires.”
Matthews plans to make a few more starts at Goodyear All American Speedway throughout the 2022 season.
Saturday’s New River 125 presented by United Rentals will commence at 7pm. Gates open at 4pm. Tickets are available on race day for $25 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five (5) and under free. Senior and military discounts are available as are trackside spots and camping.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
