Brandon Matus at Lernerville Speedway – Rick Rarer Photo
Wampum, Pennsylvania native and Fully Injected teammate, Brandon Matus, had perhaps the best year of his young career in 2011. The seventeen-year-old, 4th generation driver competed regularly at two different western Pennsylvania venues this past season; which eventually translated into a top five finish in both point championship chases. Matus competed at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania each and every Friday night; while leaving his Saturday’s open for Mercer Raceway Park competition.
On select weekends and special occasions, the ‘Lucky 13’ traveled to Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio. Brandon finished 17th in the annual Lou Blaney Memorial ‘All-Star’ sanctioned event this past season at Sharon Speedway; along with a top 12 performance at the ‘Tri-Star Pittsburgher’ event at PPMS. The 2011 campaign also included a stop at the world famous Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; where he made his first ever appearance at the Morgan Hughes National Open.
Pictured in Sheetz Victory Lane at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania; Brandon discusses his first career win with the track announcer- Cory Stivason Photo
Western Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway treated young Matus kindly in 2011. Not only did he earn his first career 410 sprint car victory at the 4/10’s mile oval, but also finished the year tied for fourth in the overall track standings, and just one point shy of third position. His starts at Lernerville Speedway also include a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series feature appearance during the annual Silver Cup. He was scored 28th in both A-main events out of the potential 44 World of Outlaws qualifiers.
Brandon Matus competed at Williams Grove Speedway for the first time in his young career this past season. He is shown here qualifying at the Morgan Hughes National Open – Rick Rarer Photo
Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania allowed for Saturday night action on a weekly basis for the 410 sprinters. Although Matus’ finishes at the Mercer bullring did not seem quite as consistent as those at Lernerville, Brandon was still strong enough to finish fifth in the final standings. Matus’ top five finish in the Mercer points chase, along with his fifth place finish in the overall Lernerville Speedway standings, made Brandon 1 of only 2 drivers to finish inside the top five at both western Pennsylvania venues. His Fully Injected teammate, Rod George, was the other; finishing 2nd at both tracks in the overall standings.
The Wampum, Pennsylvania operation continues to do extensive preparation for 2012. A similar schedule is in the works for next year.
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Brandon would like to give a special thanks to all of his sponsors including:
Valvoline
Miller Masonry
Aero Powder Coatings
Ti22 Performance
Matus Service Center
Fully Injected/www.fullyinjected.com
Keep up with Brandon during the entire off-season; right here at www.fullyinjected.com!