RPW Exclusive: Matt Caprara’s Ambitious ’25 Schedule Has Him Focused On Being Strong Behind The Wheel

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – CLAYTON, NY – Merely stating that Matt Caprara is ready for the 2025 racing season to begin isn’t enough.

Caprara and his team are locked in on success.

After a 2024 season that saw him compete in nearly 40 events and record a DIRTcar 358-Modified victory at Fulton Speedway in August, this coming season will be even busier for the Clayton, NY driver.

“I can’t wait,” Caprara said. “We’ve been working the entire off-season to get prepared for 2025 so we can be as competitive all year long.”

That includes more than doubling the projected races he’ll attempt this season, with that number being anywhere from 80 to 90.

“We have a lot of races on our schedule this year but we’re determined to stay focused,” he said. “We want to keep a positive attitude all season long. We know that what we want to race a lot and it’ll be a lot on the guys. I know I’ve got to stay positive and help you as much as possible.”

In 2025, Caprara plans to return to weekly competition at Brewerton Speedway on Friday’s with his DIRTcar Big Block Modified and Fulton on Saturday’s with his 358. He’ll also follow a majority of the Super DIRTcar Series. However, due to work commitments, driver no. 11 will miss a handful.

“I truly believe getting behind the wheel helps any time you get the chance,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what you’re in as long as you’re going fast and turning left.”

While his schedule is a daunting one, racing’s not the only thing Caprara is focused on. He knows he needs to keep perspective.

“Obviously, with my new job trying to build the FX Caprara brand (Matt’s the Sales and Wholesale Manager for the family’s Syracuse dealership) as much as possible, my focus needs to be there,” he said. “That’s my number one priority, but racing’s a very close second. Every moment I have a little free time, I’ll be in the shop with the guys working on the cars to try and get better.”

In regards to racing, getting better is the ultimate goal for Caprara. He realizes that being on track as much as possible will help him achieve his objective of visiting victory lane on a consistent basis.

“In my opinion, seat time means everything,” he said. “I’ve had guys tell me that if I want to be good in a Big Block, I have to race one as much as I can.”

As luck would have it, Caprara has one of the best Big Block tracks in DIRTcar racing very close to home.

“That’s the benefit of having Brewerton Speedway 20 minutes away,” he said. “The caliber of competition there is top notch and you can’t beat the fact it’s close. With my busy work schedule, it’s definitely just easier.”

He also has a premier 358-Modified track even closer. Fulton’s just ten minutes away which allows him to get the all-important ‘seat time’ he craves twice each weekend.

“These guys are the best of the best and they have been doing it for a long time,” he said. “If I want to get better, I definitely have to race with them as much as possible.”

That means also following as much of the Super DIRTcar Series as possible with a desire to compete against the top drivers in the Northeast.

“Eventually, I hope that I can run the whole series,” he said. “I’m determined to be that good one day. My dad (Charlie Caprara) is the type of guy that has a ‘never quit’ attitude. He instilled that in me and all my siblings so I’m determined to be good in a Modified. I know in time that I’ll get there.”

Caprara already has eight events under his belt this season, all taking place in the Sunshine State. Those were the four Short Track Super Series races at All-Tech Raceway and the four Super DIRTcar Series events at Volusia Speedway Park.

While he and his team didn’t get the finishes they were hoping for, Caprara got more laps behind the wheel of a Big Block which he knows will help him when the season kicks off very shortly in the Northeast.

“We went to Florida and definitely struggled,” he said. “However, we kind of opened a whole new can of worms by trying a lot of new things. We’re just working to figure out more and more ways to get our stuff faster.”

The trip was also a bonding experience for the team. Caprara has brought on two new crewman, Chris Fleming and Kenley Rumo, who have been working hard in the shop all winter to try and make the FX Caprara Ford no. 11’s better than they were in 2024.

“With a new team and new guys, the Florida trip was about getting me laps but more of an experience with everyone on the team all being together,” he said. “I truly think even though we didn’t have the results we wanted, it was a good few weeks of learning.”

The team has a couple 2024 Bicknell race cars ready for battle this season with Kevlar powerplants strapped between the framerails. They also just took possession of a 2025 Bicknell so the shop is quite busy right now.

“We have a bunch of stuff in the works at the moment,” he said. “Maybe, if we have some time, I’ll race somewhere down south or maybe I’ll get a day to just relax.”

Seat time means everything in this sport, and Matt Caprara will get plenty of it in 2025. He’s got his head on straight to make his family’s business a success and has his focus set squarely on becoming one of the best Dirt Modified drivers competing today.

Keep an eye on driver no. 11 as he tries to become no. 1 on race day.

A Special Note From Matt…

“I can’t thank everyone enough for all they have done. From my family, my awesome crew and our sponsors, you all have made this year possible and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Thanks to the partners who help make this possible, including FX Caprara Car Co., Rusty Johnson Masonry, United Trailers, Xtreme Auto Recovery, Doors Plus, Wladis Law Firm, Unifirst, Northern Glass, Victory Fuel and Bay Brokerage. You’re all the best!”