By: Matt Garwood Racing
July 28 2016
Thompson, Connecticut – Challenge Cup Series driver and Champion Matt Garwood of Elmvale, ON headed to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park this past weekend for round three of the 2016 Challenge Cup Series Championship. Garwood had his sights set on continuing his early season consistency with the hope of another race win.
This past Thursday, Garwood along with his Matt Garwood Racing team travelled to the 1.7-mile circuit for a day of testing in preparation of the weekends on track activities. Since Garwood had never been to this motorsport facility before the on track time Thursday was key for setting the car up and getting to know the track before Qualifying and Race One Friday.
It didn’t take Garwood long to get up to speed, setting the fastest lap time during the open practice at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, a track Garwood never raced on until then.
Early Friday morning Garwood set the fastest lap of the session and eventually the weekend, earning his third career pole position (all in 2016) by nearly a second and a half over the next fastest car.
Garwood starting from the Pole in Race 1 and with an impressive start allowed him to position himself in line and focused on setting himself up for the win. Garwood had a dominating performance pulling away from the entire field by over ten seconds leading from flag to flag. Garwood crossed the line to win the first of three scheduled races that weekend.
“I was extremely happy with our performance on track throughout the first race of the weekend. We played it right and ended up with the win out of a very competitive field. I am proud of the way we have been running this year and know we have many more races wins in us throughout the 2016 season.” said Garwood.
During Race 2, Garwood quickly made his way to the lead without wasting any time. Garwood once again pulled ahead of the field with a lead of seven seconds to win his second race of the weekend.
Race 3 would see Garwood having a hard fought battle with one fellow Challenge Cup Series Competitor’s throughout the first half of the race. Once Garwood took the lead at the midway point he checked out like in all the other races to win his third race of the weekend making it a clean sweep at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park!
Garwood has now taken the 2016 Challenge Cup Series points lead with two rounds left in the current season.
Garwood wishes to thank Crew Chief Andrew Waring for his expertise and Bill Vallis (Vallis Motorsport) for his incredible support and car preparation. Also a special thanks to Danielle Davies, for the ongoing assistance throughout the weekend.
Follow along with Matt Garwood Racing Driver, Matt Garwood throughout Round 4 of the 2016 Challenge Cup Series Championship at Pittsburgh International Race Complex August 12-14, 2016 the home of Garwood first career win.
Also Matt Garwood Racing will head to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for Round 4 of the Millers Oils Formula 1200 Championship this coming weekend.
MGR is proud to represent: FEL (Franczak Enterprises Ltd.) Vallis Motor Sport, Driverseat Barrie, The Automotive Business School of Canada, KarmaComa Studio, Core Evolution Fitness, Athletes Brand, Autoglym Canada, Leaf Racewear, Driven Steering Wheels, VOODOOAIR™, Millers Oils, the Township of Springwater and the County of Simcoe.
Garwood is also proud to be "Laps for Muscular Dystrophy" (Laps4MD) driver where he has pledged to donate $1 for every lap he leads to go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
To learn more about Matt Garwood and his racing program please visit www.mattgarwoodracing.com, www.facebook.com/MattGarwoodRacing and follow him on Twitter at @mattgarwood31.
About Matt Garwood
Matt is a 20 year-old race car driver from Elmvale, Ontario and a recent graduate from the Automotive Business School of Canada. Matt competes in the Formula 1200 open wheel racing series and is a 4-time Canadian Karting League Champion, 2012 Formula 1200 Rookie of the Year and 2015 Formula 1200 Challenge Cup Series Champion.