Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – ST. CATHERINES, ONT – “I’m just the lucky guy who gets to drive it.”
If you ask Mat Williamson about his fortune to be associated with the Buzz Chew Racing team, and the success they’ve had since the pairing began in 2019, and that’s the same answer you’ll get every time.
Williamson has been one of the guys to beat, every single event he enters on the Super DIRTcar Series trail since teaming up with the Buzz Chew operation two years ago. That year, Williamson and the team put it all together and walked away with the series crown.
Due to the worldwide pandemic, DIRTcar officials decided to only hold one Series event in 2020, coming at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park. That meant the St. Catherines, ONT driver could enjoy his time at the top a little longer.
“It’s actually felt like we’ve gotten to enjoy the championship for 2-1/2 years since COVID screwed everything up,” Williamson said. “In 2021, we began to open everything up a little more and that was pretty cool. Hopefully, we can keep going and get the Series back to Cornwall, Brockville, Granby, Drummond, or any of the tracks up in Canada.”
In 2021, Williamson had a pretty good season on the Super DIRTcar Series trail with three huge wins at Weedsport, Brewerton and Super DIRT Week in Oswego, eight top 5’s and 12 top 10’s. He finished second in points and had to relinquish his crown atop the standings to Matt Sheppard.
“For Matt to get his eighth series championship, that’s pretty cool,” he said. “I think nobody will ever do what he’s done so hats off to them. We worked hard this year and will work to try and get the title back next year.”
Back in ’19, Williamson captured his first Super DIRT Week Big Block Modified title when he won the Billy Whittaker Cars 200. This past October, he validated that win by doing it once again. Rarified air?
“It was cool to happen the second time, to be honest,” he said. “I never thought the first time was going to happen and when we got the second, it kind of verified it. It wasn’t something we raced our way to. We were there at the end and we got the win.”
Even with that, Williamson is always quick to thank his team for the hard work, especially in events like that.
“Hats off to my guys,” he said. “They’re really just awesome. I’m the lucky guy who gets to drive it. I’ve got such a great crew behind me and there are so many people that help out at these races. However, I’ve also got so many people that would kill for me and I can’t thank them all enough for their support.”
Since teaming with the Buzz Chew team, Williamson has been a man on a mission. Six of his eight career Super DIRTcar Series wins have come in the white, black and red #88. Before 2019, his best points finish on tour was a 14th.
Since then, his worst is second. It’s probably safe to say teaming with Buzz, his son, Bryon, Spot (Ron St-Marie) and the team has been an amazing thing for Williamson’s career.
“I can’t thank these guys, and all of the teams I drive for, for believing in me,” he said. “I’ve always said I’m just the lucky one who gets to hold the steering wheel, and that’s so true. I am very appreciative of what they all do for me and I hope I can be successful for them.”
Mat Williamson is a winner. There’s a reason everyone calls him “Money Mat.” He seems to “show up” in the big races when the chips are down. His knowledge of the cars is amazing and with the support behind him, I don’t think anyone would be surprised if he’s sitting at the head table next November for the ’22 DIRTcar Northeast Banquet.
Are you going to bet against him?