Matt Schneider talks with Steve Page of the Martinsville Reporter-Times during media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Larry Lawrence photo)
When you think of Supercross racing you probably think of factory rigs, high-paid riders, bright lights, glittering stadiums, the big show and so on. Nearly hidden from view are the little guys, parked in the back 40, working out of their cargo vans and chasing the dream. Matt Schneider definitely falls in the latter category.
Schneider, a 22-year-old racer from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is in Indianapolis this weekend hoping to put things all together and if everything works out perfectly making the main event. He’d be pretty happy just making the evening program. At St. Louis a few weeks ago Schneider barely missed making the cut. Only the top 40 riders in timed qualifying make the show. There were 57 hopefuls in the 450 class at St. Louis – Schneider qualified 42nd.
He’s more positive about his chances at Indy though.
Matt Schneider practices at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on Thursday, March 15, in preparation for Saturday’s Indy Supercross. He’s hoping updates to his suspension by Pro Circuit will be enough to put him in the evening program this weekend. (Larry Lawrence photo)
“We’ve had some warm weather and I’ve been able to practice on my home track,” Schneider said. “Last winter my track was under several inches of snow. I’ve also got a new suspension set up on my bike and it seems to be working well and I got to practice on half of the track for media day.”
It’s important for a guy like Schneider to make the show. “That’s where you at least make a little money,” he says. “Otherwise you’re losing a lot of money just being here.”
Instead of having a personal trainer, a chef and a massage therapist, Schneider spends the week home working a 40-hour week plate grinding at All Tool & Die in Ft. Wayne. He has to cram in training and riding around his work schedule and on the weekends he’s not racing. Even taking the time off work to race makes it a tough proposition.
Growing up in Indiana, Schneider is naturally a huge fan of fellow Hoosier Mike LaRocco. To be able to find a way to follow in his footsteps would be a dream come true. It’s not easy in Indiana though. Nasty weather during the winter, a lack of quality tracks and a small number or riders to compete against stack the odds against a rider like Schneider. For now he keeps working, riding, trying to improve, to qualify for races and ultimately hopefully catch the attention of a team and getting a ride.
Indy means that much more to Schneider since it’s his home race and friends, family and sponsors will be here watching him race. They too hope the young machinist from Ft. Wayne has a breakthrough weekend that could propel him to the next level. — Larry Lawrence
Rider Files 