Engine Tuner – Frank Mathalia
Hard work pays off for Mathalia
Frank Mathalia, former U.S. Marine and engine tuner for Austin Dillon, was named a pit crew all-star and has come a long way since Utica-Rome Speedway.
RCR’s Frank Mathalia Named to NBC Pit Crew All-Stars
The unsung heroes of a NASCAR team aren’t always given the spotlight or a platform to be recognized. But during the 2017 season, broadcast partner NBC recognized 10 individuals in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as the inaugural ‘Pit Crew All-Stars’ lineup. RCR and ECR Engines’ own Frank Mathalia was among the All-Star team.
Mathalia, a U.S. Marine veteran, and Oneida, New York-native, claimed the recognition as the All-Star engine tuner and was honored at driver introductions at the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mathalia is the engine tuner for Austin Dillon‘s No. 3 Chevrolet and has been with ECR Engines for over 10 years.
“I had to work very hard to get to where I am today working in the Cup Series,” said Mathalia. “I started in NASCAR in 1996 with only a pickup truck, a small tool box and three payments behind on my car. I went from there and here I am. A long way from Utica-Rome Speedway, as they say.”
Frank Mathalia
@MathaliaFrank
“Proud to say i’v worked with both these great guys,thanks @JeffBurton and @kylepetty for everything over the years and today’s All Star award”
Utica-Rome Speedway, in upstate New York, is where Mathalia cut his teeth working on cars and where his father raced against NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richie Evans.
“My dad always made sure I got to go to the races, but sometimes I would have to sneak into the garage,” said Mathalia. “There wasn’t room for me inside the haulers, so I’d ride inside the race car sometimes. Those were long drives when you’re 13 and 14 years old.”
Mathalia joined the No. 3 team as the engine tuner and is responsible for preparing the ECR-powered engine each and every weekend. He was part of Austin Dillon’s historic 2017 Coca-Cola 600 win and several other XFINITY Series victories over the years.
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“While I was at RCR, I was fortunate to be part of a team that won the Daytona 500 and the Allstar Race with Kevin Harvick. I’ve also won races with both Ty Dillon and Austin Dillon, Clint Bowyer, and Johnny Sauter as well as Paul Menard. I’ve won races with Austin Dillon in a 3 Nascar series including: the Xfinity Series, Cup Series, and the Truck Series.”
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