About Matt

A Lifetime Building a Legacy in Motorsports Leads To Gear1 Racing

For Matt Jackson, the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber aren’t just background noise – they’re the soundtrack to his life. Born into a family deeply rooted in the world of NASCAR racecar building, Matt hasn’t just witnessed the evolution of motorsports, he’s been an active participant, shaping and contributing to its dynamic landscape for over 40 years. This lifelong immersion,spanning from the nuts and bolts of manufacturing to the cutting edge of technology, has culminated in his latest endeavor: GEAR1 Racing.

Matt’s journey began in the very heart of the racing world early on at the age of ten, learning the importance of hard work, dedication and always striving to be the best from his father. Matt was surrounded by the tools and talent that forged championship-winning machines. This early exposure provided him with a foundational understanding of the intricate engineering and relentless dedication required to succeed. But his ambition extended beyond the garage. He delved into the business side, mastering sales and marketing, crucial components for navigating the competitive world of motorsports.

Over four decades, Matt’s passion fueled innovation across motorsports. He created the Toyota SWS Series, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to accessibility for aspiring racers. Representing major sponsors like Toyota, he delivered exposure and results that exceeded expectations while honing skills as a crew chief and driver coach.

Embracing technology’s role in the sport, Matt developed Gear1 Classifieds, a new motorsports mobile app launching in Febuary 2026. This initiative connects fans, drivers, and teams, enhancing the experience through digital innovation.
This vast expertise—spanning manufacturing, sales, marketing, series promotion, crew leadership, coaching, and tech development—gives Matt a unique, comprehensive view of motorsports’ ecosystem. Forged through unwavering determination, it underpins GEAR1 Racing.

GEAR1 Racing embodies Matt’s lifetime dedication to the sport. It’s a culmination of experience, industry insight, and boundary-pushing passion. Built on principles of hard work, innovation, and excellence, this new chapter continues a remarkable 40-year legacy. For Matt, it’s the realization of a lifelong passion, contributing tangibly to the racetrack he calls home.

Milestones from a 40-Year Motorsports Legacy

Jackson Race Cars

Jackson Race Cars: A Legacy of Winning Since 1978

Jackson Race Cars is a proud, family-owned business that has been building championship-winning NASCAR short track chassis since 1978. For over four decades, we’ve remained committed to quality, performance, and craftsmanship—building cars that win races and launch careers.

Drivers like Ron Hornaday Jr., David Gilliland, Rick Hendrick, Kurt & Kyle Busch, and many others began their journeys in a Jackson Chassis. Our legacy is built not just on steel and welds, but on trust, innovation, and results.

Beyond chassis construction, our experience runs deep. We’ve maintained customers’ cars, managed race teams, and operated our own successful house car program. This hands-on involvement across every level of competition has given us unmatched knowledge of the sport—from the shop floor to victory lane.

Proline Pit Carts

Proline Pit Carts: Built for Performance. Designed for Pride.

When it came to race team organization, Matt Jackson saw a gap in the motorsports industry—and filled it with innovation. He recognized that teams didn’t just need a rolling toolbox—they needed a mobile command center: a sleek, functional workstation that combined tool storage, mobility, and design in one powerful unit.

That vision became Proline Pit Carts.

From the beginning, it wasn’t about just building utility—it was about building the best-looking, best-performing carts in the business. Carts that teams would be proud to roll into the garage and showcase on pit road.

With multiple models available, Proline Pit Carts are designed to meet the needs of all racing levels—from small, under-budget grassroots teams to elite organizations like Hendrick Motorsports, Morgan-McClure Motorsports, and even U.S. Military operations.

TOYOTA SWS Series

The TOYOTA SWS Series
Innovative Racing. Unforgettable Moments. Ahead of Its Time.

Under the leadership and vision of Matt Jackson, the TOYOTA SWS (Stock Car Road Series) was born—taking traditional short track oval stock cars and putting them where fans least expected: the road course. The result? A thrilling blend of speed, skill, and strategy that delivered action-packed racing and unforgettable weekends for drivers and fans alike.

The series ran successfully for three years with TOYOTA as the proud title sponsor, who backed the vision with incredible support—including a fully loaded new Toyota truck giveaway and a generous $100,000 purse. The unique format, high-stakes rewards, and electric atmosphere made the TOYOTA SWS Series a standout in grassroots motorsports.

Always ahead of the curve, Matt assembled a production team to create live-streamed content before streaming was mainstream. From in-depth interviews with the SWS Girls to full lap-by-lap live race coverage, the content brought fans closer to the action than ever before—earning high praise from both viewers and TOYOTA themselves.

The TOYOTA SWS Series wasn’t just a race—it was a movement. And it showcased what happens when innovation, passion, and partnership collide on the track.

Gear1 Classifieds Mobile App

GEAR1 CLASSIFIEDS Mobile App
Launching September 2025

One of Matt Jackson’s most visionary concepts to date, the GEAR1 CLASSIFIEDS Mobile App is set to revolutionize the motorsports marketplace. Designed to bring the entire motorsports industry together on one unified platform, GEAR1 CLASSIFIEDS delivers exactly what racers, teams, builders, fans, and businesses have been asking for—a one-stop solution with monumental range and scope.

Built for simplicity, speed, and accessibility, this mobile app is:

100% FREE to post
Tailored exclusively to the motorsports industry
Designed to connect businesses and consumers easily and affordably
Available 24/7—right at your fingertips

Whether you’re buying, selling, hiring, or networking, GEAR1 CLASSIFIEDS makes it easier than ever to engage with the racing community—from grassroots to pro-level.

The motorsports world finally has the platform it deserves.

Chassis Pull Down Rig

Proline Pull Down Rig: Precision Setup Made Affordable

In today’s racing world, a chassis pull down rig is a critical tool for dialing in a winning setup. But for years, this competitive edge has been out of reach for many—reserved for only the most well-funded teams due to the high cost of existing machines.

Recognizing this gap, Matt Jackson put his decades of experience to work. What began as a solution for his own racing program quickly evolved into a game-changing innovation for the wider motorsports community.

The result: the Proline Pull Down Rig—an affordable, efficient alternative that delivers the accuracy teams need without the sky-high price tag.

Engineered to provide repeatable, real-world load simulation, the Proline Pull Down Rig helps teams of all sizes optimize their setups with confidence. Finally, lower-budget teams can access the same performance insights as the big-budget operations—leveling the playing field, one setup at a time

Driver Coaching & Spotting

Teaching the Next Generation of Drivers

One of Matt Jackson’s greatest passions is mentoring and developing young talent in the world of stock car racing. As a dedicated driving coach, Matt provides personalized instruction to up-and-coming drivers looking to sharpen their skills and elevate their performance on the track.

Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Matt delivers expert guidance on every critical aspect of racing—from racing lines and car control to braking techniques, throttle management, and race strategy. His coaching style blends technical insight with practical application, helping drivers build confidence, improve consistency, and develop a winning mindset.

Matt’s commitment to the next generation has already helped shape the careers of several promising racers—and his impact continues to grow with every lap turned and lesson taught.