Sport Mod driver Matt Maki IV turns a lap during a race on May, 26, 2024 at Escanaba Speedway. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — With three race nights in the books, we reach the first quarter point of the season. This week we get to know sport mod driver Matt Maki IV. Maki sits sixth in points but only 16 behind the leader. Maki also has a win this season which he picked up on opening night.

Daily Press sports reporter Adam Hinch had the opportunity to talk to Maki about a variety of topics in this weeks Q&A.

Adam Hinch: What got you into racing?

Matt Maki IV: I was working for my neighbors who had a small hobby farm and had a race car and I started working with him on it and the rest is history.

AH: Who is your favorite NASCAR driver?

MM: I never really got into NASCAR. It’s hard to get interested in something that takes so long to complete.

AH: What is your favorite pizza place in the U.P.?

MM: I would have to say either Main Street Pizza or the Saloon in Gladstone.

AH: Coke or Pepsi?

MM: Pepsi by far.

AH: A fish fry or burgers and brats what’s the best cookout?

MM: You can’t go wrong with a good fish fry as long as you have fresh fish caught out of a local lake but brats on the grill isn’t bad if you don’t have access to fresh fish.

AH: Favorite NFL team?

MM: I have always stuck with the Colts ever since the Peyton Manning era, but they have been kind off embarrassing these last few years.

AH: Best racing moment in your career so far?

MM: I think opening week solidified that after we got the win. We had the car in the fun run parade and heard lots of kids talking about he won the race last week. That really hit the hardest to me.

AH: Any hobbies outside of racing?

MM: Anything I can do with my kids. My daughter plays hockey and I help coach. As long as we are together that’s all that matters.

AH: Outside of racing what is the perfect weekend?

MM: It all goes back to family. My father-in-law has a nice house on the lake and we go down there to have a good time and do things as a family.