Matt “Bones” Lees
By Dan Hall

Who the heck plans their wedding date around a race car number? Matt Lees did last year. He explains, “Everyone thinks it was my idea to match the wedding date to my car number. Actually, it was my wife’s idea.” Matt married Debbie on May 5th, 2005(05/05/05). If you don’t know, his car number is the #05 SST Modified. Matt went on to say, “There is another benefit to having the wedding date the same as the car number. I will never forget my anniversary.”

Matt has been around racing since the age of five. He started coming to Spencer Speedway to watch his uncle, Danny Mason, race. Matt’s own racing career also started at Spencer Speedway. He explains, “When I was ten, my dad bought me a microd. We competed every week on the small oval at Spencer. I enjoyed the racing but didn’t understand the value of working on the car. All the other kids were playing while their parents prepared their cars. I remember being mad at my dad for making me work.” Matt paused and then said, “I’m sure glad he made me do it. He instilled in me a work ethic and knowledge of racing. He is the best.” Matt went on to have a very successful career in microd racing. He even picked up a sponsor. The sponsor was willing to provide him with some serious money for a Grand American Modified. At the age of sixteen, Matt went out and purchased the car. He said, “My sponsor had offered money for the Modified. I purchased one from John Borroughs. Unfortunately, the sponsor did not keep his end of the bargain. We ended up financing the car.” The first year of ownership, Matt was only fifteen. You need to be sixteen in order to race the Modifieds. His dad, Dave, took the wheel that first year. Matt said, “The first year was a learning experience. I turned sixteen during the race season and got to race once. The race was the US Open at Lancaster Speedway. I had to pull off early due to engine overheating. The experience was great and nobody got hurt.” Matt has raced all but two seasons at Spencer Speedway. He took the two years off to attend college. In his ten years of racing, he has several favorite memories. He said, “My first feature win is my favorite race memory. The race took place at Perry in 2003. I remember taking the lead and staying focused. All of a sudden, the starter indicated five laps to go. I started thinking I could really win the race. This led to excitement until I looked into my mirror. The mirror was full of Mike Logsdon. The next turn I overdrove and he was right on my bumper. After that, I reached up and pulled the mirror down. The win was a big relief.” Matt went on to say, “I have never had a large budget to race with. This win was a long time coming. The unfortunate thing about the win was my dad was not present. He had to attend a wedding that day.” Matt did win another feature and this time his dad was there. This made the second win even more enjoyable.

The 2006 race season has been a very challenging year for the #05 SST racer. The third race date of the year was fatal for the motor. This coupled with the car catching on fire brought the season to an abrupt end. Matt was undaunted by the misfortune and showed up the next week. He had his driver suit on in case an opportunity availed itself. He was in luck and ended up in the seat of the #71 Zacharias Modified. A week later, he was in the #09 and currently, he is driving the #81 SST Modified. Matt said, “I am grateful to the Zachariases for providing me with a car. The third week, I found a ride with Mark Cline’s team. This is not how I wanted to obtain a ride but I will do my best for Mark and his family.” Matt is referring to the untimely death of Sherry Cline, Mark’s wife. Matt continued, “This was a big shock to the family and race community. Sherry was very involved in Mark’s racing. She designed the paint scheme on the car and did many other things for the team.” Matt will finish out the year with the #81 SST Modified team. He said, “I would like to dedicate the remainder of this season to Sherry Cline. Sherry was a very special person. She loved racing and has inspired me to do the best I can for the team.”

Matt is thankful for all the help, knowledge, and love his Dad has provided and also love and support of his Mom, Mary Beth. The #05 driver also gets to share his love of racing with wife, Debbie. He feels very blessed to have a wife who shares his passion. He also wished to acknowledge Rick Knoffler for all his hard work and dedication. Sharon and Red, Matt’s in-laws, have provided continuing support.

The #05 has sponsors whose support is crucial for his racing. Those sponsors are Landmark Fence located in Webster, Mico Transmissions of Greece, Maximillian of Webster, and Fargo Collision of Ontario.

Matt also wants to acknowledge the crew of the #81 who provide him with a great looking and performing SST racer. They are Mark, Lynn, Marcus, Jason, and Melissa. The #81 Sponsors are Lessord Chysler, The Culligan man, Texaco Havoline, Poppy's Pizza, Seely engine machine, and Napa.

Matt has found many challenges in the 2006 race season. Though he would prefer to be driving the #05, he is grateful for the opportunity to help a team in need. Bones is always willing to help his fellow competitors. You will see him giving a hand to the #89 of Jody London. Matt also techs for the young microd racers on Wednesday at Sodus. He hopes to honor the memory of Sherry “Scarlet” Cline with his racing. The race community knows Matt as “Bones”. The name originated when his dad suggested putting the name on his microd. Matt has not forgotten the values his dad taught him early in his race career. Now if he doesn’t forget his wedding anniversary, he will be okay.