EW INDIVIDUALS in the sport of drag racing today wear as many hats as Matt Plotkin . The 29-yearold is deeply involved in everything from grassroots no-prep racing to NHRA national events . But his immersion in the sport is nothing new – it ’ s simply part of the family tradition .

“ I ’ ve been involved in drag racing my whole life ,” says Plotkin . “ I have my dad to thank for that – he ’ s been drag racing since the ‘ 70s . I grew up 10 minutes from Englishtown , New Jersey , and we always found ourselves at the track . That ’ s what really garnered my attention toward NHRA and drag racing as a whole . Then I moved to Texas and got involved in the grudge and no-prep side of the sport .”

In 2015 , Plotkin formed Project X Promotions with Jason Flores , and the following year they hosted their very first event . Since then , they have held multiple no-prep events every year , including the highly popular Bounty Hunters and Winter Meltdown races .

“ We were one of the pioneers of the no-prep movement almost 10 years ago ,” Plotkin says . “ We ’ ve prided ourselves on consistency and giving the customer the best product and experience possible . Though we ’ ve moved to different tracks , our racers and fans have followed us wherever we ’ ve gone . It ’ s about having fun , and I think the no-prep atmosphere that our races provide is more enjoyable than anything else .”

In addition to being a promoter , Plotkin branched out in 2021 , working full-time with the NHRA . He now juggles a multitude of roles , including being both the Regional Tech Director and Division Services Coordinator for Division 4 , and Chairman of the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle Committee .

He was also heavily involved in forming the brand-new NHRA Factory X class , an accomplishment he ’ s especially proud of . Plotkin still recalls sitting with a few others in a Bowling Green , Kentucky , IHOP two years ago , drawing up ideas on a napkin .

“ It ’ s taken a little while , but now we ’ re in a position to have a really strong category ,” says Plotkin . “ It takes a lot of those grassroots elements from a no-prep or grudge race , and brings that relatability to the forefront of a professional category . Factory X does a great job of having cars that look like cars , and it ’ s really going to take off .”

Plotkin takes a lot of pride in being firmly planted on both spectrums of the drag racing world , and believes bridging that gap will benefit everyone in the long run . He emphasizes that

both sides can learn a lot from each other .

“ I think there ’ s been somewhat of a divide between your core racers that visit local tracks , and professional teams that almost forget the other stuff exists ,” Plotkin says . “ And really , it goes both ways . It ’ s not just showing NHRA that grassroots stuff works too , but taking some of the things that make NHRA work – like safety and event efficiency – to help make other programs better . It all goes hand in hand .”

When he ’ s not hosting one of his own events or traveling across the country for national and divisional races , Plotkin lives in Denton , Texas , with his wife Mady – the NHRA Division 4 Director and a 2018 Drag IllustrateD 30 Under 30 honoree . Plotkin jokes that after five years , it ’ s nice to finally be on a level playing field with her .

“ I can finally go a year that she ’ s not holding it over my head ,” laughs Plotkin . “ It was definitely a motivator for me . A lot of people don ’ t realize that our relationship started when she got her 30 Under 30 award at PRI . We ’ ve been side by side ever since .”

Where Plotkin goes from here is yet to be determined . But regardless of what role he takes on or which type of drag racing he ’ s involved with , rest assured he will dive in headfirst .

“ The future doesn ’ t have any names on it ,” says Plotkin . “ I look forward to growing the sport in whatever capacity I feel is best , and making sure I have a positive role in that growth . No matter what , I ’ m going to do whatever I can to make sure the sport is strong and healthy .” – CRAIG COOK DI

128 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 185