Second Generation Driver Adds To NASCAR History At Hickory
“I know it’s been several weeks now and I guess the best way to describe it is surreal,” Piercy said. “It’s such an honor to be able to add your name with drivers like Ned Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt and so many others who have won track championships at Hickory”
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| Matt Piercy celebrated winning his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway this season. |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Matt Piercy knew at a young age he wanted to follow his dad’s footsteps and drive a race car at Hickory Motor Speedway.
The 21 year-old Mechanical Engineering major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte can now add 2015 Hickory Motor Speedway Track Champion to his resume.
Piercy battled another second-generation driver in Landon Huffman throughout the season and used consistency to win his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track championship in the Bojangles Late Model Division on the .363-mile track.
The achievement still hasn’t fully sunk in yet for the Conover, North Carolina native.
“I know it’s been several weeks now and I guess the best way to describe it is surreal,” Piercy said. “It’s such an honor to be able to add your name with drivers like Ned Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt and so many others who have won track championships at Hickory”
Piercy and Huffman both finished the season with 20 top-10 finishes in as many starts. The difference would up being Piercy’s 19 top-fives to Huffman’s 16. While Piercy only scored one win, his consistency paid off in scoring the title by 10 points (898-888).
Piercy said felt that his car was at its best over the last handful of races he knew he had to race smart to secure the Championship. While it’s not uncommon for a second-generation driver to win a title, what is unique is how the younger Piercy was able to find the time and ability to race for a championship.
Piercy had to juggle finishing up the spring semester and starting the fall semester while competing in a close battle for his first title.
“It was a little tough in the spring finishing up classes, working on the car and racing but we found a way to get it done,” he added. “It took a lot of late nights.”
Piercy got veteran car owner and former late model racer Greg Marlowe and Roger Johnson of Performancenter to build a new car and they helped out for the first part of the season. While Piercy took the reins from there and began working on the car, Marlowe and Johnson were there for advice if he needed it.
“We really didn’t have a crew chief for the car this year,” Matt Piercy said. “Greg and Roger created a great baseline, and then I began to fine tune the car and got it ready each week the way I needed it. I was fortunate to have really good cars each week and we only finished out of the top five in one race which says something about how consistent our car was all year long.”
Piercy had primary sponsorship for his No. 25 Chevrolet from ZLOOP IT, a computer and electronics recycling facility.
Piercy’s dad, Kevin, competed at Hickory in the 1990’s in the Late Model division and has been the General Manager at the track since 2009. While the elder Piercy is usually tied up operating the track on race nights, Matt was happy he was able to race in front of his family each week.
“I can remember coming to the track when I was young and playing with cars while dad raced and I knew that I wanted to do this someday,” he said. It was a lot of blood, sweat and sacrifice – but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The competition was close all season long and while racing at a track his family promotes can be a challenge, Piercy was just focused on doing the best he could on track each week.
“The field at Hickory is so close each week, if you were off just half of a tenth or so in qualifying it could cost you six or seven spots.,” Piercy said. “I just tried to be conscious of my surroundings and respectful to my fellow competitors each week.”
While Piercy wants to take time to enjoy the title, he’s also ready to move on to the next phase in his life.
“I’m definitely looking forward to graduating and I’m excited about what lies ahead in my future,” Piercy said. “I feel that I have options. I’m going to keep driving as long as I can and I hope to have an opportunity to move up in to one of the NASCAR touring series.”
If Piercy doesn’t make it as a driver he knows he’ll still be involved in motorsports at some level.
“If I’m not driving I’ll probably be working on race cars or maybe even be part of the family business,” said Piercy. “I’ll definitely be involved in racing.”
Established in 1982, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s national championship program for weekly short track auto racing. In all, 58 paved and dirt tracks throughout the United States and Canada participated in 2015.
Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering is the series’ title sponsor. Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting. NASCAR tracks and pace cars are among the many showcases for Whelen products.
Hickory will hold its 2015 Banquet of Champions and recognize Piercy's accomplishments on December 12th at the Newton Expo in Newton, North Carolina.
Piercy will also be honored for his Hickory Motor Speedway crown along with other track and state/province champions from across North America as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Dec. 11 at the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We had a great year and I’m so thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to race at Hickory with my family and I appreciate everything my parents have done for me and I want them to enjoy this championship as well,” Piercy said.
- Credit to NASCAR Home Tracks for this article.
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