{{short description|American racing driver}} {{Infobox NASCAR driver | name = Matt Waltz | image = | caption = | birth_name = Matthew Christopher Waltz | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|6}} | birth_place = Newport News, Virginia, U.S. | achievements = 2017 Langley Speedway late model track champion | Total_Busch_Races = 7 | Years_In_Busch = 2 | Busch_Car_Team = | Prev_Busch_Pos = 51st | Prev_Busch_Year = 2016 | Best_Busch_Pos = 51st (2016) | First_Busch_Race = 2015 Virginia 529 College Savings 250 (Richmond) | Last_Busch_Race = 2016 O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge (Texas) | First_Busch_Win = | Last_Busch_Win = | Busch_Wins = 0 | Busch_Top_Tens = 0 | Busch_Poles = 0 | updated = November 5, 2016 }} '''Matthew Christopher Waltz''' (born October 6, 1989) is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver. He competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving for Derrike Cope Racing and Obaika Racing, and raced late models at Langley Speedway, winning the track championship in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/matt-waltz-driver|title=Matt Waltz - NASCAR Driver|website=www.foxsports.com|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/driver/Matt_Waltz|title=Matt Waltz Career Statistics - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

==Racing career==

===Late models=== Waltz grew up racing Late Model cars on his home track Langley Speedway, which he shared with fellow NASCAR driver Brandon Gdovic. He took second in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Shootout in 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-matt-waltz-will-make-xfinity-series-debut-at-rir-on-sept-11-for-derrike-cope-racing-20150828-post.html|title=Matt Waltz will make Xfinity Series debut at RIR on Sept. 11 for Derrike Cope Racing|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=April 27, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> the same year he won twelve races at Langley.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-langley-speedway-championship-week-one-20170912-story.html|title=Matt Waltz clinches first Langley Speedway Late Model title|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=September 28, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Returning to Langley in 2017, Waltz claimed his first late model championship at the track.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-langley-speedway-championship-week-one-20170912-story.html|title=Matt Waltz clinches first Langley Speedway Late Model title|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=September 28, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Xfinity Series=== Waltz began his NASCAR career in a one race deal driving the No. 70 Chevrolet Camaro for Derrike Cope Racing at Richmond International Raceway in fall 2015, Waltz's first race with live pit stops. He started 37th and finished 33rd after retiring with electrical issues<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://race22.com/xfinity-debut-has-matt-waltz-wanting-more/|title=XFINITY Debut Has Matt Waltz Wanting More|date=September 16, 2015|website=RACE22.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref> and a lap penalty for pitting too early.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.popularspeed.com/matt-waltz-looks-ahead-after-xfinity-series-debut/|title=Matt Waltz Looks Ahead After Xfinity Series Debut|last=Marquis|first=Andy|date=September 12, 2015|website=Popular Speed|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> He attempted another race later in the season with DCR, at Phoenix International Raceway, but failed to qualify.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2015/B|title=Matt Waltz 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref> 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 to Iowa Speedway for the race there. In return, Cope gave Waltz the ride at Richmond.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-rir-waltz-0910-20150909-story.html|title=Matt Waltz ready for Xfinity Series debut at Richmond|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=April 27, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2016, Waltz debuted with Obaika Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, qualifying 39th and finishing 28th. Two races later at Iowa 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2016/B|title=Matt Waltz 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

After the 2016 season, Waltz returned to late model racing because of inadequate sponsorship and did not compete in a NASCAR race in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2017/11/09/nascar-101-who-didnt-return-to-nascar-in-2017/|title=NASCAR 101: Who Didn't Return to NASCAR in 2017?|website=www.frontstretch.com|date=November 9, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref>

===Retirement=== 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-langley-matt-waltz-20180315-story.html|title=Langley Speedway track champ Matt Waltz won't race in 2018|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=March 17, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He did, however, come out of retirement to attempt the 2019 ValleyStar Credit Union 300.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matt |title=Martinsville 300 Last Chance Races starting lineups |url=https://www.shorttrackscene.com/late-model-stock-cars/martinsville-300-last-chance-races-starting-lineups/ |website=Short Track Scene |accessdate=October 7, 2019 |date=October 5, 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life== Waltz is an Old Dominion University graduate with a Mechanical Engineering degree,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wavy.com/2015/09/10/local-driver-matt-waltz-to-make-xfinity-series-debut-at-richmond/|title=Local driver Matt Waltz to make Xfinity series debut at Richmond|last=Parsons|first=Brian|date=September 11, 2015|website=WAVY-TV|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> racing while attending classes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-langley-speedway-championship-week-one-20170912-story.html|title=Matt Waltz clinches first Langley Speedway Late Model title|last=O'Brien|first=Marty|work=dailypress.com|access-date=September 28, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Motorsports career results==

===NASCAR=== (key) (<span style="font-size:85%">'''Bold'''&nbsp;– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. ''Italics''&nbsp;– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *&nbsp;– Most laps led.</span>)

====Xfinity Series==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" ! colspan=42| NASCAR Xfinity Series results |- ! Year ! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! 27 ! 28 ! 29 ! 30 ! 31 ! 32 ! 33 ! {{Tooltip|NXSC|NASCAR Xfinity Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! 2015 ! Derrike Cope Racing ! 70 ! Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | IOW | CLT | DOV | MCH | CHI | DAY | KEN | NHA | IND | IOW | GLN | MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| RCH<br><small>33</small> | CHI | KEN | DOV | CLT | KAN | TEX | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| PHO<br><small>DNQ</small> | HOM ! 78th ! 11 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2015/B|title=Matt Waltz – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 2016 ! rowspan=2| Obaika Racing ! 97 ! rowspan=2| Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | DOV | CLT | POC | MCH | IOW | DAY | KEN | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| NHA<br><small>28</small> | IND | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| IOW<br><small>35</small> | GLN | MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | RCH | CHI | colspan=3| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| KAN<br><small>37</small> | colspan=3| ! rowspan=2| 51st ! rowspan=2| 41 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2016/B|title=Matt Waltz – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- ! 77 | colspan=26| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| KEN<br><small>36</small> | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV<br><small>35</small> | CLT | | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| TEX<br><small>34</small> | PHO | HOM |}

===CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour=== (key) (<span style="font-size:85%">'''Bold'''&nbsp;– Pole position awarded by qualifying time. ''Italics''&nbsp;– Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. *&nbsp;– Most laps led. **&nbsp;– All laps led.</span>) {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" ! colspan=24| CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour results |- ! Year ! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! {{Tooltip|CLMSCTC|CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! 2015 ! Randy Sears ! 34 ! Ford | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SNM<br><small>12</small> | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ROU<br><small>29</small> | HCY | SNM | TCM | MMS | ROU | CON | MYB | HCY | colspan=6| ! 43rd ! 25 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2015/C3|title=Matt Waltz – 2015 CARS Late Model Stock Tour Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=July 5, 2025}}</ref> |- ! 2021 ! Waltz Racing ! 2W ! Chevy | DIL | HCY | OCS | ACE | CRW | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| LGY<br><small>18</small> | DOM | HCY | MMS | TCM | FLC | WKS | SBO | colspan=3| ! 54th ! 15 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/waltzma01/2021/C3|title=Matt Waltz – 2021 CARS Late Model Stock Tour Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=July 5, 2025}}</ref> |- ! 2023 ! Waltz Racing ! 2M ! Chevy | SNM | FLC | HCY | ACE | NWS | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| LGY<br><small>20</small> | DOM | CRW | HCY | ACE | TCM | WKS | AAS | SBO | TCM | CRW ! 71st ! 13 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://thethirdturn.com/wiki/Matt_Waltz/Results/Solid_Rock_Carriers_CARS_Late_Model_Stock_Tour/2023|title=Matt Waltz - 2023 Season Results - Solid Rock Carriers CARS Late Model Stock Tour |work=The Third Turn|access-date=July 5, 2025}}</ref> |- ! 2025 ! rowspan=2| Waltz Racing ! rowspan=2| 2W ! rowspan=2| Chevy | AAS | WCS | CDL | OCS | ACE | NWS | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| '''LGY'''<br><small>3</small> | DOM | CRW | HCY | AND | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| FLC<br><small>23</small> | SBO | TCM | NWS | ! 38th ! 61 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://thethirdturn.com/wiki/Matthew_Waltz/Results/zMAX_CARS_Late_Model_Stock_Tour/2025|title=Matthew Waltz - 2025 Season Results - zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Tour |work=The Third Turn|access-date=July 5, 2025}}</ref> |- ! 2026 | SNM | WCS | NSV | CRW | ACE | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| LGY<br><small>14</small> | DOM | NWS | HCY | AND | FLC | TCM | NPS | SBO | colspan=2| ! -* ! -* ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://thethirdturn.com/wiki/Matthew_Waltz/Results/zMAX_CARS_Late_Model_Stock_Tour/2026|title=Matthew Waltz - 2026 Season Results - zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Tour |work=The Third Turn|access-date=May 30, 2026}}</ref> |}

{{sup|*}} Season still in progress<br> {{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Racing-Reference driver|Matt_Waltz}}

{{Obaika Racing}} {{Derrike Cope Racing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waltz, Matt}} Category:1989 births Category:NASCAR drivers Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Newport News, Virginia Category:Racing drivers from Virginia Category:CARS Tour drivers