Matthew Christopher Waltz (born October 6, 1989) is an American semi-retired professionalstock car racing driver. He competed in theNASCAR Xfinity Series, driving forDerrike Cope Racing andObaika Racing, and racedlate models atLangley Speedway, winning the track championship in 2017.^[1][2]

Waltz grew up racingLate Model cars on his home trackLangley Speedway, which he shared with fellowNASCAR driverBrandon Gdovic. He took second in theDenny Hamlin Short Track Shootout in 2014,^[3] the same year he won twelve races at Langley.^[4] Returning to Langley in 2017, Waltz claimed his firstlate model championship at the track.^[5]

Waltz began hisNASCAR career in a one race deal driving the No. 70Chevrolet Camaro forDerrike Cope Racing atRichmond International Raceway in fall 2015, Waltz's first race with live pit stops. He started 37th and finished 33rd after retiring with electrical issues^[6] and a lap penalty for pitting too early.^[7] He attempted another race later in the season with DCR, atPhoenix International Raceway, but failed to qualify.^[8] The relationship stemmed from a chance encounter with Cope and his team at the spring Richmond race, which led to Waltz driving the Cope hauler toIowa Speedway for the race there. In return, Cope gave Waltz the ride at Richmond.^[9]

In 2016, Waltz debuted withObaika Racing atNew Hampshire Motor Speedway, qualifying 39th and finishing 28th. Two races later atIowa Speedway, rear gear problems dropped him to a 35th-place finish. Waltz then ran four races for Obaika in the Xfinity Series Chase, finishing no higher than 34th.^[10]

After the 2016 season, Waltz returned to late model racing because of inadequate sponsorship and did not compete in a NASCAR race in 2017.^[11]

In early 2018, Waltz announced his retirement from full-time racing due to a number of factors, mainly a lack of opportunities to advance, a want of more free time, and spending more time running his family business.^[12] He did, however, come out of retirement to attempt the 2019ValleyStar Credit Union 300.^[13]

Waltz is anOld Dominion University graduate with aMechanical Engineering degree,^[14] racing while attending classes.^[15]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

^* Season still in progress
¹ Ineligible for series points

• Matt Waltz driver statistics at Racing-Reference

• 1989 births
• NASCAR drivers
• Living people
• Sportspeople from Newport News, Virginia
• Racing drivers from Virginia
• CARS Tour drivers

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Short description is different from Wikidata