Meet Matt Stephenson - 2010 ARCA and WCSS Champion

By Terry Guest, CWR Journalist

Over the past decade, second generation driver Matt Stephenson has turned heads in the racing world. Matt lives in the small town of Kaleden, B.C., he is married with two kids and works full-time as a heavy duty mechanic. Matt, whose father first began racing Super Stock and Hobby Stock back in the 70’s, has always been around the track. Matt first started as a dedicated race fan watching his dad and others for years, until he finally decided to get behind the wheel. Matt made his racing debut in 1991 racing in the Street Stock class at Penticton Speedway at the young age of 15. Stephenson won two heat races and two trophy dashes that year, finally winning his first ever main event the following year.

Matt has acquired many great memories throughout his racing career. In 2002, he competed in the Gordie Mannes Sportsman Memorial where he finished first out of a 40 car field. Another memory for Matt was when he won his first championship in 2003 in the Street Stock class. Matt has been awarded Most Sportsmanlike driver four times; twice at Penticton Speedway and twice at Sun Valley Speedway. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Matt competed in the All American Street Stock class winning an amazing 22 times during those three years. Matt states, “All the racing throughout my career has left me with great memories and great friends, and I am very grateful to have the racing career that I have”. In 2010, Matt competed in two well known racing tours; the ARCA West OK Tire Series and the West Coast Sportsman Series ("WCSS"), successfully winning the championship in both series proving his dominance in the racing world.

In the upcoming 2011 season, Matt will defend his ARCA West OK Tire Series and WCSS titles with full intentions to become the first two time double champion. Matt will compete in the new ASA B.C. Late Model Tour at the season opener in Vernon and September's very popular Canada 200 at Western Speedway.

Matt would like to take this opportunity to thank his many sponsors: Ridge Sheet Metal, Precise Engine Rebuilders, ARP Bodies and Cross Roads Insulation.

Be sure to watch for Matt this season as he makes his championship run.