NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It has been an incredible season for second-generation drag racer Matt Latino. This year has been about learning how to drive an extremely finicky Pro Stock car, but it has also been a year of learning how to adapt, promote, and stand his ground in competition with the best of the best. With 10 national events on his scorecard as part of the KB Titan Racing team and the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year award up for grabs, Latino is all in on a bright future.

"I like going fast, and although I'd never ran at a professional level before, this whole deal has been exciting," said Latino, who licensed early and then made his debut at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.

He cut his teeth in street cars and then made the big move into Pro Stock driving one of the KB Titan Racing entries under the tutelage of some of the best drivers to have raced in the category. Six-time and reigning world champion Greg Anderson, 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn, and championship tuner Dave Connolly are all part of the team in which he races, but it's father, Eric Latino, who has had the most influence.

"I've wanted to get behind the wheel for a very long time, and growing up around my dad when he was racing Pro Mod, so many people had asked me when I was going to drive," said the Canadian-born driver who now resides in Charlotte with his wife and children. "I always dreamed of running Pro Mod like my dad, but when we had the opportunity to get into Pro Stock, I found out how cool these cars are. I realized pretty quickly that this is what I wanted to get into, and I'm loving it. I think I've picked it up pretty quickly, but I don't underestimate it. I know I have a lot to learn."

In just his second race, Latino qualified for the event and earned a win light on race day. The following event — the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas — he reached the final round. In the 10 events he has contested, Latino has qualified in the top half of the field more than half the time, adding round-wins to his record and powering to a semifinal finish in St. Louis. A good chunk of the season has not been recorded on his personal scorecard as he raced several events to claim points for his father, who was on medical leave, but Latino continued to show up and improve as he poured his heart into learning the craft and planning for the future.

"I couldn't even choose a high point of the season," he shared. "It's all been pretty surreal, but one thing I've really been loving is bringing on new sponsors, bonding with them, and building those connections.

"Driving the car is awesome, and it's such a cool thrill. I've been able to work on myself as a driver and show that I can adapt; I've been in three different cars already in my rookie year. I take a decent amount of pride in being able to fill in for my dad and hold his position strong in the No. 5 spot for those races."

With the support of companies such as FASS Diesel Solutions, PowerEdge, Clean Diesel Specialists (CDS), and Ace Race Parts, Latino was able to commit to finishing the season with a strong run in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs. His on-track success has included victories over multitime champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and championship contender Aaron Stanfield.

"I've worked really hard to be here," he said. "I like to think I've done a good job adapting in a really tough sport and being able to fund it entirely on my own by bringing on valuable sponsors. I think my biggest achievement has been starting the season hoping to be able to run one or two races and then being able to run more than 10 by working day and night to build relationships with partners that made it possible. I'm grateful to be here, and I'm excited for the future."