photo from Jake Matheson Racing
Story by Chris Roy
Jake Matheson, driver of the #52NH is changing gears for the 2017 race season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I plan to run the Legend car full time in 2017 and would really like to travel as much as possible. I also plan to work hard for my team’s chosen charity, Operation Homefront. They are an organization that helps military families during hard times.”
Jake finished off the 2016 race season with a win and the 2016 Bandolero Championship at NHMS. “It was a dream come true to be the 2016 Bandolero Champ and by far the most rewarding season our team has had so far. I will really miss competing in the Bandolero, it was a fun car to run.”
The 2017 race season is almost here but Jake has been keeping busy during the off season. “I have been doing a lot of racing on the iRacing Simulator. Also, I had the chance to get out to the mountain a bit to do some snowboarding with my Dad.”
Though Jake, has already gotten some seat time this season, racing down south in the legend car. “Florida was great! We learned a lot and it was good to see all the other teams again. Citrus County Speedway is a challenging bullring but was lots of fun. I liked it.”
Last season the #52NH Bando dominated the mini oval at NHMS. So how does the legend car compare to the bandolero race car? “You can really feel the difference in the legend car, it has 5 times the horse power and handles a lot differently. But I love driving it!”
The 2017 Granite State Legends schedule has a few new additions this season, Lee Speedway and Speedway 51 have been added to the schedule. “I am excited to try the new tracks they added to the schedule.”
In 2014 Jake won the Bandolero Rookie of the Year. This season he is looking to do it again in the legend car. “I am definitely going for NHMS Rookie of the Year, I haven’t raced the NHMS oval yet in the Legend Car so I am really looking forward to that.”
It’s been a while since Jake turned left in the race car on the road course at NHMS but, maybe that will change this race season. ”We don’t officially have road course on our schedule this year, but I might give it a try. Running the road course with the Bando was awesome!!”
I’d like to thank Chris Roy for the opportunity to do this interview, looking forward to seeing his shots from the track this year.
Jake would also like to thank his sponsor, SignWorks New England and Epsom Tool Rental.