Rookie Pro Stock driver Matt Latino will take over the wheel of his father’s car at the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend, filling in under NHRA’s replacement driver policy while Eric Latino recovers from eye surgery. The younger Latino will also drive in next week’s Sonoma Nationals, marking another milestone in his self-funded debut season.
Matt Latino, who has long said he would only compete in Pro Stock if he could pay his own way, has pieced together a campaign this year through a mix of sponsorship support. “At the start of the year, what I said to everyone was, ‘I’ll be happy if I can get a few races in,’” Latino said. “I got to go out and do this on my own. I don’t get any handouts, I don’t want any handouts. I don’t want Pops to stroke a check and say, ‘Go racing, son.’ I got to do this on my own.”
Latino is driving for his father, but has brought sponsorship from PowerEdge, a Denso brand. “There’s gonna be a lot of eyes on the PowerEdge car as it’s the primary sponsor,” he said. “Also, Washington — I’m excited about Washington because Ace Race Parts, which is one of my sponsors that jumped on in the very beginning, they were one of the first to support me and committed for the entire year. Their headquarters is about 25 minutes from the racetrack. The Ace Race Parts group is going to be coming out, and we’re going to be hosting them. We’re excited about that as well.”
Matt will also race with primary sponsorship from GESI and Clean Diesel Specialists.
The seat opened when Eric Latino experienced complications following eye surgery earlier this season. After competing in Norwalk last month, Eric reported discomfort in his eye and doctors determined a follow-up procedure was necessary.
“It’s super unfortunate, but the only time they could get him in was this Thursday, one day before the race,” Matt said. “Obviously he’s not going to be able to drive, so I’m going to be collecting points on his behalf. I’ll be driving on his behalf.”
Matt said he’s focused on keeping his father’s championship hopes alive. “For me, I’d love to be collecting points on my own,” he said. “But at the same time, I’m not running all the events. Whether I place 12th or 15th, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’d rather help my dad keep on his points roll. I think he’s sixth or fifth right now in points, so I’d hate to see him fall behind.”
This season has already exceeded Matt’s expectations, with five races completed and at least five more on his schedule. “Could I have ever envisioned what it’s turned out to be? No, no, not at all,” he said. “Here we are. I’ve done five already and I’ve got another five on my calendar. So I’m in a good spot. I’m certainly happy about where I’m at, but no, I certainly couldn’t have expected to be where I’m at.”
Matt has raced in four races where he has four round wins to his credit, and reached the final of the Vegas NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. He’s ranked 16th in the national Pro Stock standings. Eric Latino is fifth in points despite missing two starts this season due to knee surgery.
Though some have asked if Rookie of the Year honors are on his radar, Matt said his focus remains on gaining experience. “A lot of people keep asking me, ‘Do you want to win Rookie of The Year?’” he said. “And I never really thought much about it, but the more I think about it, the more I’d love to. But there’s a lot of good contenders this year. It’s not really my number one goal. My main goal really is to just go out, drive the car, do well, and be ready for next year.”
Looking ahead, Matt said he plans to run the full national event schedule in 2026, something he’s been working toward since earning his license.
“I’m planning to run the whole circuit next year, and the fact that I’m even saying this right now is exciting to me,” he said. “Yeah, I’m super excited about where I’m at.”
The NHRA Northwest Nationals begin Friday at Pacific Raceways, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday. Latino will also compete in next week’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals before his father is expected to return to the driver’s seat.
