Getting to know Matt Todd, mechanic for the No. 88 Chevrolet

CONCORD, N.C. - A college welding course sparked Matt Todd's interest and the North Carolina native has been involved in racing ever since. Meet Matt:

Full name: Matt Todd

Hometown:  I was born in High Point, N.C., and grew up in several states including North Carolina, Michigan, Alabama and Georgia.

Education: I received my high school diploma from Trinity High School in Trinity, N.C., and attended Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C.

Team/job duties: Underneath mechanic for the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet.

Time at current job: Three years.

Years in racing: Eight.

First racing job: Parts runner at Roush Fenway Racing.

First job overall: Bus boy at a local Italian restaurant.

If I wasn't in racing I would be: In real estate. I think it is exciting how it changes over the years.

Best racing memory: Winning at Texas Motor Speedway with Jeff Gordon in 2009.

Favorite track: Dover (Del.) International Speedway and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

Favorite Hendrick Motorsports win: Jimmie Johnson winning the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It came down to the last few laps, and I’ll never forget it.

Hobbies outside of racing: Fishing, landscaping, cooking and hunting.

Favorite sport other than racing: Baseball. Go Braves!

On an off weekend you can find me: Usually I make plans to go on a trip somewhere or just stay in town since I travel a lot already. 

Favorite vacation spot: I love going to the Outer Banks. The North Carolina coast is the best.

Pet: I guess you can count my girlfriend’s Yorkie, Coco, as mine. I take care of it enough.

Favorite movie: “Anchorman.”

Favorite book: “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” by Tucker Max.

Favorite music: Rock.

Best concert you’ve ever been to: Ozzfest 2002 in Atlanta.

What you’ll find on my iPod: A big mix of everything, but I mostly I listen to Clutch, Sevendust, Trap County, Hellyeah and Mudvayne.

Favorite phone app: I don’t have a smart phone. I guess I’m old fashioned.

My dream car is: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.

If I could meet anyone, I’d meet: Blackbeard the Pirate because pirates are cool.

Favorite food: Japanese.

When I’m training, I always: Jam out to my iPod. It keeps me motivated.

If I ran NASCAR, I’d: Shorten the races and cut ticket prices so you can sell more and fill up the stands.

One thing people don’t know about me:  I used to wear baggy JNCO’s in high school, and I liked it (laughs).

Before the race, I always: Like going to pit road and watching the flyover. It gets me pumped up.

During a pit stop, I’m thinking: I hope we beat everyone off pit road.

I knew I wanted a job in NASCAR when: I was taking a welding course at Guilford Technical Community College and my instructor told me he got me an interview with a race team. It was a great opportunity!

Best part of your job: How much my family and friends get into my job. It wouldn’t happen if I did anything else.

Favorite Hendrick Motorsports paint scheme: Jeff Gordon’s car that his daughter Ella painted in 2010 -- the No. 24 DuPont/Jeff Gordon Foundation Chevrolet aka “My Papa’s Car.” I also like the No. 24 Pepsi MAX Chevrolet paint schemes. It looks cool.