Modified

Matthew Laprade Asphalt Modified Racing

2026 Modified at a Glance

#18 Modified at speed on the oval
Car Number
#18
Team
BMF Shocks & Chassis
Series
Modifieds of Mayhem
Key Tracks
Montgomery Motor Speedway (AL) | Five Flags Speedway (FL) | Mobile International Speedway (AL) | Nashville Fairgrounds (TN) | Cordele Speedway (GA) | New Smyrna Speedway (FL)

About Asphalt Modified Racing

Asphalt Modifieds are one of the most technically demanding and visually spectacular classes in short track motorsport. Featuring open-wheel, high-downforce machines with powerful engines and minimal bodywork, Modifieds place an extraordinary premium on car feel, balance, and driver aggression. The class has a rich heritage across the Northeast and Southeast short track scenes, and competing at the front of Modified fields is widely regarded as one of the strongest indicators of raw driving talent in grassroots racing. For Matthew, the Modified program represents his most technically demanding challenge — and the results he has already delivered in the class speak for themselves.

2026 Modified Program

In 2026, Matthew campaigns the #18 Modified with BMF Shocks & Chassis across the Modifieds of Mayhem series and selected major events, with the season finale at the Snowball Derby on December 4th at Five Flags Speedway. The program spans eight confirmed rounds at six tracks in five states — Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina — with New Smyrna Speedweeks at the start of the year adding further Modified mileage ahead of the main campaign.

The Modifieds of Mayhem is one of the most competitive Modified touring series in the Southeast, drawing strong car counts and talented fields to some of the region’s most challenging short tracks. Competing across this schedule demands consistency, adaptability, and the ability to find speed quickly at tracks Matthew may be visiting for only the first or second time — all qualities his program is deliberately designed to develop.

BMF Shocks & Chassis

BMF Shocks & Chassis brings specialist Modified expertise to Matthew’s program, fielding the #18 across the full Modifieds of Mayhem calendar and Snowball Derby. The team’s deep knowledge of Modified setup — particularly shock absorber tuning and chassis balance across different track configurations — gives Matthew a strong technical foundation to build on at every round. Working with a team that lives and breathes the Modified class means Matthew arrives at each event with equipment capable of winning, and a technical debrief process that accelerates his learning at every race weekend.

Modifieds of Mayhem & Snowball Derby

Modified car racing in Modifieds of Mayhem series

Modifieds of Mayhem

The Modifieds of Mayhem is the primary series backdrop for Matthew’s 2026 Modified campaign, bringing together the Southeast’s top Modified competitors at iconic short tracks from Montgomery to Nashville to Mobile. The series is known for its passionate fanbase, close racing, and high-quality fields — and Matthew’s maiden season in the series in 2025 produced an immediate impact, with a pole position and podium finish at Montgomery Motor Speedway on debut and a race win at Houston Motorsports Park announcing him as a genuine front-runner in the class.

Modified at Five Flags Speedway Snowball Derby

Snowball Derby

Five Flags Speedway

The Snowball Derby is the crown jewel of Southeast short track racing. Held annually in December at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, the Derby is one of the most prestigious short track events in the entire country — drawing national-level talent and commanding attention from teams and sponsors well beyond the regional scene. Matthew made his Modified debut at the 2025 Snowball Derby and delivered a 6th-place finish in his first attempt, an exceptional result that confirmed his ability to compete at the highest level of the class. Returning in December 2026, Matthew will be gunning for a result that builds on that foundation.

Results & Recaps

Matthew's Modified career is young but already defined by standout performances. Key results to date include:

Year
Event/Track
Division
Result
2025
Snowball Derby — Five Flags Speedway
Modified
6th Place
2025
MOM Debut — Montgomery Motor Speedway
Modified
Pole Position + Podium
2025
Houston Motorsports Park
Modified
1st Place (Win)
2026
New Smyrna Speedweeks
Modified
Results TBC
2026
MOM Round 1 — Montgomery Motor Speedway
Modified
Results TBC