Laprade Notches Maiden Florida Pro Truck Victory

Matthew Laprade in victory lane at Auburndale Speedway. (Darling Photography)

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Matthew Laprade earned his first Pro Truck victory in just his second start in the division with a dominant drive Saturday night at Auburndale Speedway.

Laprade qualified fourth at the quarter-mile oval, but was able to start on the pole for the 50-lap main after an inversion of the top four starters for the feature lineup.

From there, track position was the best friend of the 12-year-old from New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

Laprade stayed out front and pulled away from his competition, fending off his nearest pursuers on several restarts and ultimately leading all 50 laps en route to the win.

He beat Corey Bigley to the finish line, with J.T. Chastain, the 15-year-old nephew of NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, Carter Brown, and Brennon Pletcher completing the top five.

It was a staggeringly impressive performance by Laprade for his limited time in a full-size vehicle.

“It’s huge to get my first Pro Truck win this quickly,” said Laprade. “I had a fast truck all night, but it definitely wasn’t easy because the field gave me a lot of pressure on the restarts. I was able to hit my marks, though, and get out front and lead the race all the way. Daniel Webster and Right Foot Down Motorsports gave me everything I needed to be successful and hopefully we can keep our speed going.”

Laprade would like to thank marketing partners Wade Tractor & Equipment, Adrenalin Powersports, Synergy SpeedLab, Race Face Brand Development, and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation for their support of his racing efforts.

His next scheduled race is Saturday, Sept. 28, back at Auburndale but in his familiar No. 18 Legend car.

About Matthew Laprade

Matthew Laprade is a 12-year-old Legend car and Pro Truck racer from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., who is competing at Cordele (Ga.) Motor Speedway this season in the Young Lions division, as well as in the Cook Out Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and the Thursday Thunder Series at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. He drives for Right Foot Down Motorsports in the Pro Truck category.

Laprade began his driving career at six years old in dirt go-karts, now having raced for half his life. He shocked the karting world in 2019 during his rookie season by winning the Vega Florida State Championship in the Rookie Division.

Invited to the nationals as a result, Laprade went on to capture the Vega National Championship that season in the Rookie Division, cementing his place as a young racer with prodigious talent.

Laprade’s second major championship came in 2021, when he claimed the Florida Dirt Championship Series title in the Junior 1 division, and he also added a victory in the prestigious World 100 karting event in Junior 1 that season as well.

After racing Bandolero cars for back-to-back seasons in 2022 and ’23, highlighted by a third-place finish in the Bandolero Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his sophomore Bandolero season, Laprade made the move to Legend cars for 2024. His Winter Nationals mini-series championship at Citrus County Speedway came on the strength of five race wins in five days from Feb. 12-16.

Laprade’s summer stretch was highlighted by a top-five finish during round nine of the Summer Shootout, as well as a ninth-place finish in the Thursday Thunder Young Lions standings.

Away from the racetrack, Laprade’s competitive interests include golfing and fishing, and he golfed rounds with the PGA Junior League this year during downtime from his racing schedule. He is also a supporter of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s efforts to fight pediatric cancer.

Fans can visit https://matthewlapraderacing.com/ or follow Matthew Laprade Racing on Facebook to keep up with his racing endeavors.