Backbone of Drag and Drive Part 9: Built from Legacy, Driven His Own Way—Matt Fling

Legacy is a word that gets thrown around relatively easily. In some cases its warranted, in some cases it’s posturing. When we visited with the Fling family in the last article the word “legacy” was included specifically because this article was to be next. Most of us in this race/car culture would likely say we inherited our interest from family to some degree. In the case of Matt Fling it’s clear.  If you're part of this drag and drive community you have watched him grow up with his hands in racing since being a child. His love for Fords is apparently genetic as well. With parents that have been racing literally since day one of their union, it’s to be expected in some sense. But Matt is honoring the legacy laid out before him in the right way. By blazing his own unique path. Staying true to his roots and walking his own line at the same time. A young man that is likely to pull up to gas station in a 12sec Procharged Grand Marquis, go inside and grab a tub of banana pudding, paint some lines on the road on the way out of town headed to an index class where his idea of fun is beating up on trailered race cars and taking the win.. is a cool cat. He has developed his own relationship with race promoters and sponsors. And is finding his place to grow and serve this community just like he was taught. Today ..we solute

Matt Fling is one of the backbone of drag and drive. 

Where are you from/live?

Kansas City 

What made you start racing?

Going to the track at a young age and seeing my family race had me hooked from the beginning 

Who inspired you to build a hot rod?

My parents because I would see them race and I knew that’s what I wanted to do

First Race and Where?

My first race was one of Corey Stampers event at Shady Side and I was 15. I was in an index class and actually won my class but I got to enter small tire because it was free and my first time ever in eliminations I got to race Lyle Barnett who was a major idol to me at the time.

What was your first car?

1997 Grand Marquis 

What was your first Drag and drive style event? What vehicle?

Southeast Street n Yeet where me and my dad put my Grand Marquis together in three weeks and drove it all the way to SC and ended up running 7.70’s.

Bucketlist Race or Event?

Definitely either going to Yello Belly and George rays. I really want to know what it’s like to send a car down through Yello Belly with that huge crowd everywhere

What's your PB and how/when did that happen?

My p/b to the 1/4 mile is currently an 11.96 which happened at the first Circuit I attended back in 2024. It was the last day and me and my dad were very curious what the car would do so we turned it up as high as we thought we could and we were hoping for maybe a 12.10 but it went 11.96. My favorite part was going back to the pits with a crowd of people there congratulating me.

Unlimited budget..what are you building?

Definitely a 1972 Pinto wagon with some sort of Coyote/Mod Motor since that’s what I know the most about so far. I always get asked why I like Pinto wagons and I can’t explain it but I was pretty young when I saw one for the first time and I’ve loved them ever since. I’ve always been interested in no prep style events so I’d love to build something for that as well.

Favorite car movie?

Ford vs Ferrari 

Favorite Roadsnack?

Bucees banana pudding

For the story, tell us about your best/favorite  event

Event: I forget the name but it was a big index race at Mokan. It was super fun driving my car to the track and camping for the weekend while racing trailered racecars and winning. 

Event Average: 12.00 index

What vehicle did you race  at that event?

Year, Make, Model 

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis 

Powertrain Combo at time of Event:

Engine: stock 2 valve 4.6

Transmission: stock 4r70w

Rear Gear: 4.30

Power Adder: procharger and about 16lbs of boost 

Tires: M/T ET Street R’s

How long you’ve had it

I have had that car for about 3 years 

How many races have attended in this vehicle?

I have raced in 5 events with that car and been to the finals in all of them and won 1 of them but I have also driven it to many drag and drives where I work and followed along and did burnouts and things

Why did you build this car?

My family and I built this car because I wanted a racecar and my parents used to race one of these cars back in the day, so we knew it would work and we have a bunch of left over parts. One day we decided to throw it together and see what would happen.

Any maintenance required from all the passes?

Not really besides changing the oil before and after every event. Now I did go through about one 2-valve a year due to blowing them up but for only $150 a motor I’ll take it for little maintenance and constant abuse.

What are 1-2 struggles from the week?

It was only a weekend race but I fought the heat a lot as it was super hot and I was really trying to get everything I could out of the little 2 valve. 

Plans for events this year? 

I really want to find free time to race the new car I’m putting together as much as possible, I’m hoping to have it running by the Circuit and possibly race there 

Which vehicle?

1963 Fairlane wagon with a single turbo gen 1 Coyote 

Which class?

Once I get the car dialed and sorted my plan is to come for that 6.50 class 

Goals?

I’d love for the car just to run and drive at the Circuit but in the long term I would love for the car to go bottom 10’s, the motor has rods and pistons and all the coyote things and I think it can make the power to do it.

Any changes or upgrades planned?

Eventually I’d love to do a transbrake and manual valve body and try to push it more and more.

If the “next generation” is anything like Matt Fling, the hot rod scene is in good hands. This young man truly embodies the heart and soul of what it takes to be successful in this car community. He has grown up around many of the longtime drag and drive racers so they view him as a little brother or grandson almost. But, the new wave of racers get a whole new Matt… Not just the young man that has ran the lanes, helped apply numbers to countless windshields, and so many other jobs. These new participants get the chance to meet him as a Tech Inspector. Don’t let his age fool you, he has more experience and has seen more racecars than most of the “old timers” will ever dream of. Matt has been trained by the best in the business, learning from his dad Sean, Mom Tara, longtime friends Lonnie Grimm and Rick Dodge and any more along the way. 

As we move into a new era for drag and drive, it is imperative we have young men and women like Matt Fling expand their knowledge for the good of the sport. So many young people just want race, but he’s taken it to a whole new level. In my eyes, Matt Fling is one of the best examples of the Backbone of Drag and Drive you can find anywhere. 

Article by Rodney Reeves and Mike Narx. Photos provided by Matt Fling