From an early age, Myatt Snider has had a genuine passion for numerous types of auto racing. In fact, escaping the sport was often difficult as his father, Marty Snider, is an award-winning motorsports broadcaster who has been telling stories about race car drivers all of Myatt’s life.
This season, Myatt Snider is running the full NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, splitting time between the No. 21 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing and the No. 93 Chevrolet fielded by RSS Racing.
It’s been a rather long journey spanning many years, but both Sniders have quietly imagined a very possible scenario where father and son meet in a NASCAR Xfinity Series Victory Lane for a very special winner’s interview.
The younger Snider’s racing career began as a summer activity when he was in middle school.
“I was 10 years old and I saw where a friend of mine (Corey Gordon) was racing and I thought, ‘Huh, I could probably do that.’” Snider recalled. “My friend’s dad (Mike Gordon) ran his own Bandolero team, so I decided to go with them. I ran the Summer Shootout and Winter Heat at Charlotte Motor Speedway and also ran Thursday Thunder events at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“I did that for four or five years. I started being more serious about it in 2009 and 2010 and that’s when I started winning some races. I won the Bandolero race the night of the Legends Million at Charlotte. That was pretty cool. It’s the only race I’ve ever seen where Bandoleros ran in the rain.”
Snider then worked his way up the racing ladder, progressing through the various divisions of Legend Car racing before moving to the late model ranks. He made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2016 and visited Victory Lane in his first start with team owner Kenny Sherer at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway.
The following year, Snider dabbled in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, running eight races with Kyle Busch Motorsports. He then joined forces with Truck Series team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson for the 2018 campaign. A ninth-place finish in points resulted in him being named rookie of the year.
“I enjoyed all of those ventures, but I have to say the late models are probably the most fun type of car I’ve ever driven,” Snider said. “That’s because they are super simple, you wear out your tires on really old worn out race tracks that have all this history, which is great.”
Last year, Snider competed in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Elite 2 division, driving the No. 48 Ford Mustang for Racing Engineering.
“I think the racing in Europe taught me a lot of the basics about the things I didn’t know about racing a stock car on a road course,” Snider explained. “It’s the little things that can make a big difference. I think going to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™ will be a lot of fun. I’ve done pretty well on the road courses so far.”
Snider joined RCR at the start of NASCAR Xfinity Series season for eight races, beginning at Daytona International Speedway in February where he won the pole and led 23 laps.
“Luckily for me, the year I ran a few Truck Series races we brought on a new sponsor, which was Tax Slayer,” Snider said. “They were trying to get their feet back into NASCAR and testing the waters to see how it all would work out. They decided to increase what they were giving us so that allowed us to run eight races this year with RCR. I was very blessed and fortunate for that.
“A couple of our sponsors gave us a little more money this year and helped us with Ryan Sieg Racing. I’m just very fortunate to be in position to race for both teams.”
Marty Snider has helped guide his son through crucial decisions about his career and has been a true guiding light, both on and off the track. Myatt’s mother, Andrea, does worry about her son but knows he carries the very best safety technology inside his car every lap.
“My mom watches timidly because she’s afraid something could happen, like most moms do,” Snider said. “My dad is my No. 1 supporter. He is always working to help make my racing better and my career better. He’s pretty much been the one pushing me with everything I’ve done since day one and I’ve always appreciated that.”
Marty Snider watches his son in amazement each time he slides behind the wheel.
“I’m very proud of what he has been able to do,” said the elder Snider. “Even from back in the Bandolero days at Charlotte Motor Speedway, you move them up to the Legends, then you’re always waiting on that one special moment to where he’s been able to win at every level. You keep going and try to make it work. I think this year he has proven more to me than any other year as far as his ability. He got in the Xfinity Series cars and was good right off the bat. He’s been very impressive, in my opinion, understanding the car and what he needs to do to be successful.”
After years of fighting for position on numerous types of tracks across the country, Myatt Snider is still amazed at how his dream of driving a race has come true.
“You know, I do have those times when I’m racing and I say, ‘Wow, this is actually what I’m doing!” Snider said. “I’m living the dream and racing stock cars for a living. I grew up watching stock car racing and Formula One racing and just wanted to be there. Now after a wild ride, I’m a full-time Xfinity Series driver so it’s kind of crazy to look back and see where I’ve been.”
About the Writer: Ben White has covered NASCAR racing for the Lexington (N.C.) Dispatch for more than three decades. He is a contributing writer for NASCAR Pole Position magazine and has also written several books on the personalities involved in motorsports as well as the tracks on which they race.
