From Pit Crew to Property Owner: How Matt is Building Wealth Beyond NASCAR

From Pit Road to Property: How Matt Is Building Wealth Beyond NASCAR

Lessons from Matt and Christina

If you have a demanding job and wonder how real estate fits into real life—or if you feel stuck waiting to know “enough” before taking the next step—this episode is for you.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube below or listen to the podcast here

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life, Christina sits down with Matt to talk about what it actually looks like to build real estate alongside a demanding career.

Matt’s Background: Discipline Built on the Racetrack

Matt and his wife, Kristen, moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina about ten years ago when Matt earned a spot on a NASCAR pit crew. Recruited not for car knowledge but for athletic performance, Matt was one of six selected from nearly 100 former college athletes who tried out.

Today, Matt serves as a fueler — handling 100-pound gas cans during eight- to nine-second pit stops.

“It’s a pretty selective process,” he shared. “But it’s been a great career.”

While NASCAR offers a longer runway than many professional sports, Matt knows it’s not forever.

“I’m about halfway through,” he said. “Eventually, I’m going to have to answer the question — what’s next?”

That question is what led him to real estate.

A Strong Financial Foundation

Before investing, Matt and Kristen focused on eliminating debt. They moved with nearly $100,000 in student loans and worked intentionally to pay them off. Raised in a Dave Ramsey household, Matt learned early the importance of living below his means.

That discipline laid the groundwork for future growth.

Their first real estate purchase wasn’t strategic — it was personal. Wanting to move Matt’s mother-in-law closer, they purchased a small home for her to live in.

“That was kind of our first rental,” Matt said. “That’s what really got me started.”

From Curiosity to Confidence

Like many investors, Matt assumed real estate required massive upfront capital.

“I thought you had to have a ton of money to flip houses or buy rentals,” he admitted. “What I’ve learned is — if you find a good deal, there’s usually a way to fund it.”

Joining the Branch program filled in those gaps — not just with education, but with confidence and clarity.

“Being part of this program gave me the confidence to move forward and make decisions faster,” he said.

Racing and Real Estate: The Power of a Team

Matt sees strong parallels between NASCAR and investing.

“In racing, you’re disciplined every day — training, preparing, sowing seeds,” he explained. “And later, you reap the rewards.”

Real estate works the same way. Progress comes from consistent effort, patience, and trusting the people around you.

“I’ve lost more money through indecision than through mistakes,” Matt shared. “When you have a team, you can act faster.”

Learning Through Action

One of Matt’s most recent projects involved purchasing a severely distressed property near an existing rental. While he used cash to buy the home, it came at a steep discount due to its condition.

Even with inspections, unexpected issues surfaced:

• Missing electrical wiring
• Active termite damage
• Major structural repairs
• 
  

“The scope of work changed many times,” Matt said.

Instead of backing out, he leaned on his team — inspectors, attorneys, contractors — and adapted. The home is now nearly brand new and will be held as a long-term rental.

Faith, Stewardship, and Vision

Faith plays a central role in Matt’s approach to money and investing. He shared that he’s currently reading X by John Bevere, a book centered on stewarding God-given talents wisely.

“It’s about not being a lazy steward,” he explained. “It’s about multiplying what you’ve been entrusted with.”

That mindset drives his long-term vision: building a family home on land he already owns, living near extended family, and continuing to grow a portfolio that supports both his present and his future.

Advice for New Investors

For those standing at the starting line, Matt’s advice is simple and grounded in experience.

“If you wait until you know everything, you’ll never take action,” he said. “Surround yourself with people who have the experience and just start.”

Execution, supported by mentorship, is what turns learning into progress.

5-Minute Fast Fire

Q: What’s your favorite NASCAR track?

•  “Martinsville — especially the second race of the year. That’s the cutoff race to get into the championship, so everything’s on the line. It’s a short track, guys are bumping, tempers are flaring, and that’s where a lot of the action happens.”

Q: If you had $50,000 handed to you today, what kind of deal would you chase?

•  “I’d like to find a piece of land and walk through the new construction process. Learning how to build and understanding that side of the business creates an opportunity to scale later on.”

Q: What’s the most underrated real estate investing skill?

•  “Making decisions faster. You still need to do your due diligence, but I think you can lose more money by waiting and not taking action than by making a mistake.”

Q: Flip, long-term rental, or BRRR — which strategy do you prefer?

•  “BRRR. Being able to pull your capital back out and reuse the same money to buy multiple properties is powerful. You add value, create equity, and keep moving forward.”

Q: In one sentence, why should someone start investing in real estate today?

•  “Real estate provides cash flow, appreciation, tax advantages, and leverage — helping you build wealth both monthly and long term for you and your family.”

Final Thoughts

Matt closed the conversation by circling back to the theme that ties both his racing career and his investing journey together: the importance of team.

“Just like in racing, you need a team of people around you,” he shared. “When you have the right people, you can move faster and make better decisions.”

For Matt, real estate isn’t about rushing to the finish line — it’s about building something sustainable that will support his family long after his days on pit road are over.

And as this episode reinforces once again, the right guidance, the right community, and the willingness to take action can turn uncertainty into momentum — and momentum into long-term wealth.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Do This Alone

Matt’s journey is a reminder that real estate isn’t about perfection — it’s about stewardship, discipline, and forward momentum. Whether on pit road or in property investing, success is built through preparation, teamwork, and action.

“Just like in racing, you need a team,” Matt said. “Only now, we’re racing for long-term wealth and prosperity.”

Because here’s the truth:

Most investors don’t get stuck because they lack information.

They get stuck because they lack guidance, confidence, and accountability.

That’s why we created the Real Estate Wealth Mastery Membership — a structured, mentor-led path designed to help everyday investors move from interested to in motion.

Inside the membership, you’ll get:

✔ A clear, step-by-step roadmap for buying your first (or next) property

 ✔ Weekly mentorship calls where real deals get reviewed

 ✔ Training that breaks down rentals, flips, land, and new construction in plain language

 ✔ A community of like-minded investors who are actually doing the work

 ✔ Accountability to help you follow through — even when it feels uncomfortable

This isn’t about chasing hype or forcing deals.

It’s about stewardship, wisdom, and building something sustainable for your family — the same way Matt is.

And as they reminded us, confidence doesn’t come before action — it comes from it.

👉 Learn more about the Real Estate Wealth Mastery Membership and start your guided path today.



Your first door — or your next one — may be closer than you think.

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