Name: Matt Alloway
Birthdate: 4/23/1972
Hometown: Kenton, OH
Marital Status: Married
Family: Wife - Jennifer and Daughter - Shelby
Occupation: Logistics Manager
How did you choose your car number? My father was a crewman for Arnold Brooks and they always ran #37
Chassis: Eagle
Engine Builder: Rutan Racing Engines - Rutan Rocket
Crew: Mom, Dad, Daryl
Sponsors: B&B Body Shop, Craycon Homes, Head Chez Motorsports, Rutan Racing Engines, Kears Speed Shop, PhotoTails.com
Favorite Track: Eldora Speedway
Divisions competed in: 1200cc Mini Sprints, Midgets, 360 Sprints, Winged and Non-Wing Sprints
Years Racing: 15 Years
Wins: 0
Championships: 1
Regular Tracks/Series : SOD and NRA 360 Sprints
Hobbies: Weight lifting, golf
Favorite TV show: CSI
Favorite Music: Country
Favorite Band: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Food: Burgers and Fries
Favorite Beverage: Water
Favorite Restaurant: Max and Erma's
Favorite Driver: Steve Kinser
When and how did you get started in racing?
I grew up going to Millstream Speedway watching the sprint cars. Attended my first race when I was 2 weeks old. Thus, I've always had a love for the sprint cars. When I was 16, Ada Speedway was built in Ada, OH. Ada was 8 miles from the house and they were racing Mini Sprints and 4 wheelers. We went and watched the races the first year or so and got involved helping a couple guys. Got to know some of the guys and wanted to get a car. Ada Speedway was where I made my first start.
Who had the biggest impact on your racing career and why?
My Father. He's got a great deal of knowledge and he and my Mother have supported me throughout my career. They own the cars and all the equipment, work on the cars and have made my career possible.
What would you be doing if you weren't racing?
I don't know. My summers have been filled with racing since birth so I honestly don't know. Probably just trying to spend more time with my family.
What is your favorite aspect of racing?
The competition.
What is your greatest accomplishment/best memory?
Best memory was taking my Mini Sprint to Zanesville, OH to race with the All-Star Midgets when I was 19 yrs old. It was the first time I ever ran without a wing and competing against guys like Pepi Marchese, Tom Bigelow, and Critter malone was a thrill. Critter was fresh off his Belleville win and I was running right with them. Had a top 5 and spun with less than 5 laps to go trying to pass for 3rd. Just pressed too hard entering into one and spun it around. They knew we were there though!!
What is the worst thing that has happened to you in racing, or your worst season?
Worst season was in 2000 racing ARCA, NAMARS and USAC midgets. We were running a combo car on the pavement against the likes of Aaron and AJ Fike, Jimmy McCune, Jason Fuller, Gene Lee Gibson and we just weren't competitive. It was our first full season in a non wing deal and racing on the pavement so we had a lot to learn. My dad hurt his back at the Toledo Speedway race so I finished the season pretty much just myself and my cousin Daryl. Several nights I went to the track by myelf and just found someone to help me push the car around - I did everything myself. That was a long season!
In your own words, describe your 2004 season:
2004 was a decent season - 7th in NRA points. We had a good car (Maxim chassis) and motor combo (Rutan Rocket), but we just struggled some nights trying to get the raised rail Maxim car to work. We piddled around and spent too many nights chasing that car before we parked it and got the Fat Boy Maxim out. Once we switched cars we got going again, but we just wasted too many nights chasing the raised rail car.
What are your plans for the 2005 season?
We have purchased a new Eagle Chassis and are getting the Rutan Rockets freshened so we're looking for a successful 2005. We're looking to win some races and be consistently in the top 10 each night. We'll bounce around between SOD and the NRA, but we'll also do some non wing and winged 410 racing at places like Fremont and Attica. We're not chasing points so we'll be able to pick and choose our races based on pay and travel.
Where do you see Sprint Car racing five years from now?
Great question! I wish I knew. Sprint cars are my first love so I want to see them survive. Costs are getting way too far ahead of the purses so sponsorships are getting more critical even at the local levels. With the WoO discussing starters I'm concerned about their car counts because the local guys won't wantr to put $4-5K into a starter and clutch to run with them when they're in the area. I think it will just kill their car counts if they go that route. They need to focus on cost controls and race procedures to speed up the program.
What is your ultimate goal?
Just to have fun and go racing!