Another Pro Truck Runner-Up For Laprade In Pensacola

Matthew Laprade (MDL Racing photo)

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Matthew Laprade earned a runner-up finish under the Friday night lights at Five Flags Speedway, continuing his summer-long speed with Grant Thompson Racing.

In a 25-lap sprint race at the half-mile oval, Laprade ran second for nearly the entire duration, though he did lead one lap after getting past early pacesetter Kyler Bean on the ninth rotation.

Season-long dominator Steven Davis got past Laprade on lap 10, however, and the teenager from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., spent the rest of the race chasing Davis in an effort to claim the bounty money put up for anyone who can beat the longtime veteran.

It didn’t happen on this night, however, as Davis won by 3.474 seconds over Laprade, George Gorham Jr., Keeton Harris, and J.T. Chastain.

“Honestly, I was super happy with the truck,” said Laprade, who watched crew chief Grant Thompson drive the No. 54 to victory over Davis in mid-August at Mobile (Ala.) Int’l Speedway.

“He proved it could be done, and now for the rest of the season, it’s my job to continue getting better and work to do the same thing,” Laprade added. “We know the truck has the speed. It’s capable. I just have to keep learning and gaining so I can reach the maximum potential of what it can do.”

Friday night was Laprade’s 25th race of the season. He has seven wins, 19 podiums, and 22 top fives across Legend car, Pro Truck, and asphalt modified competition.

Thanks go out to marketing partners Wade Tractor & Equipment, Adrenalin Powersports, Synergy SpeedLab, Race Face Brand Development, and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation for their support of Laprade’s racing efforts.

Friday night began a double-duty weekend for Laprade, capped by his Sportsman late model debut Saturday night at Auburndale (Fla.) Speedway with Right Foot Down Motorsports.