Matt Buckler

Announcer, Journalist
CLASS OF 2022

Matt Buckler is an award winning sportswriter for the Manchester, CT based Journal-Inquirer who spent his weekends at the Connecticut short tracks calling the action.

He first began announcing at Riverside Park Speedway in 1996 and worked there until the track closed after the 1999 season. He spent the next 20 years announcing at Stafford Speedway, Thompson Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl. Most weeks during this era would have Matt at Waterford on Wednesdays, Thompson on Thursdays, Stafford on Fridays and back to Waterford on Saturdays. He is the longest tenured announcer in Waterford Speedbowl history.

Matt was actively involved in the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance, serving as the emcee for their annual Gold Key Dinner. He also served as CSWA President and was on the Gold Key selection committee. Matt was also the Master of Ceremonies for the NEAR Hall of Fame banquets from 2005-2021, as well as for each of the Connecticut tracks’ banquets during his tenures as track announcer.

He also hosted “Stories from Victory Lane”, a public access racing talk show also shown on YouTube that interviews numerous drivers & racing personalities over the years, which would also include remote shows at events like Racearama or the NEAR Hall of Fame ceremony.

Known for his quick wit and the humorous nicknames he gives to drivers, Buckler has been the recipient of the prestigious Art McGinley Award from the CSWA for meritorious service, the Frank Maratta Award from NEAR in 2009 for outstanding contributions to auto racing in New England and the Dan Pardi Award in 2014 for his contributions to the NEAR Hall of Fame.