But what eats at Matusek is the matter of leaving $ 100,000 on the table . It ’ s a predominant thought and one Matusek is none too happy to recall . “ I missed an opportunity ,” Matusek says . “ I should have won that race . It ’ s all on me .”

The saving grace is Matusek will get his chance for redemption at this year ’ s WSOPM , which takes place Aug . 10-11 at Bandimere Speedway . Improving on last year ’ s semifinal appearance is a clear motivation for Matusek , who hopes to finish the job in 2018 .

A year ago , Matusek felt he had the car to beat , running well in testing and early on during the weekend . But he lost on a holeshot to eventual runner-up Steven Whiteley in the semifinals , putting an immediate damper on what otherwise was a thrilling and memorable weekend .

“ I ’ m going back with a purpose ,” Matusek asserts . “ We felt like it was our race to lose and we lost it . We had a good , competitive car and I got beat by a holeshot . I ’ m 99.9 % percent confident we would have beat ( Mike ) Bowman in the final round if I would have done my job . We want to get back there and pick up where we left off .”

That Matusek was even a contender at the biggest and richest Pro Mod event in the history of the known universe last year was a major victory .

He was involved in a nasty crash during the NHRA Pro Mod race in Norwalk less than two months prior , but the car got fixed quickly and Matusek performed impressively – at least up until the semifinals . He credited crew chief Jimmy Rector and his team for tackling the challenges of racing in the high altitude atop “ Thunder Mountain ,” which , ultimately , should give Matusek confidence heading into the 2018 WSOPM race .

“ Jimmy and the crew did an unbelievable job ,” Matusek points out . “ Even between rounds , they didn ’ t miss a beat . Jimmy is one of the best and , anticipating what we would see there , he made

changes to the car and our cars performed well . We weren ’ t the fastest , but we were consistent and got down every time .”

Truth be told , Matusek has fond memories of Bandimere Speedway , dating back to 2006 when his daughters raced in the NHRA Jr . Drag Racing Western Conference Finals event . All three performed well that day – going a combined 23 rounds between them – and his youngest daughter , Kristen , won the Wally in the 12-year-old division , just two weeks after she started her racing career . More than a decade later , Matusek enjoyed the inaugural WSOPM with family and even celebrated his wife ’ s birthday at the event .

“ That racetrack is magical for us , personally , just because of the experiences we ’ ve had there ,” Matusek reveals . “ There ’ s a special place in my heart when we go back there . It ’ s a great venue and the Bandimere family is unbelievable in how they treat you . I thought ( the WSOPM ) was an

unbelievable event .

“ I did smell the roses , if you will . I think it was a great event and I have not encountered one person , whether it ’ s a fan , racer or worker , or whatever , that didn ’ t ’ think it was a great event . It ’ s going to continue to grow and be that marquee event you have to plan your year around .”

Matusek enjoyed every unique aspect of the race , from Pro Mods being the main event , to knowing his first-round opponent a month ahead of time to the prize money being winner-take-all . He preferred that high-stakes set-up , joking “ if you want a split , go to Dairy Queen ,” but Matusek was serious in his thoughts about the race .

“ I don ’ t care who you are , you roll in the gate and try to compete at this level , it feels good to be at the top of the food chain ,” Matusek says . “ That ’ s a good feeling . We want it to be winner-take-all . That ’ s what I love about it .”

Of course , Matusek will love it a lot more if he ’ s the last one standing in 2018 , a year after he felt he should have won .

“ I ’ m just excited to be a part of it ,” Matusek says . “ I ’ m looking forward to coming this year and bringing it home .” DI

PHOTOS : RICK BELDEN , JOE MCHUGH