American Matt Powers will compete in the 2019 Dunlop Super2 Series with Matt Stone Racing next year after winning the 2018 Aussie Driver Search Pro competition.

Powers was one of 80 drivers part of the talent searching competition, which saw him undergo a series of testing both on and off track throughout the year before being awarded the position after winning a three-way battle at Wakefield Park.  

It’s been a long time coming for the 27-year-old who flew into Australia from California in May to compete in the first round at Sydney Motorsport Park, before flying in again this week to compete in the Grand Final.

“It feels amazing,” Powers said.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me and I am so grateful for Aussie Driver Search for doing this.

“I want to use this Super2 opportunity as a great stepping stone and not just to say that I got to do a season of Super2. That’s the biggest thing I am focusing on now.

“It’s starting to feel real which is really special.”

Powers’ journey to the Aussie Drivers Search Grand Final began at just nine years old in Red Hill City, where he gained an interest in Karting from his father and began racing in his school’s karting program for five years.

Powers and his father then purchased their own kart to race at a national level, where he held his own against some of the best karters in the United States. 

Some further success in karting led him to half a season of open wheeler racing in the 2010 USF2000 Championship, where he finished in the top-five on three occasions.

Following his maiden season in open wheel racing, Powers took to coaching before making a name for himself at club level, as well as competing on some of the biggest tracks around the country.

For Powers though, the Super2 Series will be undoubtedly the biggest thing he has ever achieved in his career. 

“The Super2 is definitely the most competitive series I have ever run and it will be a massive challenge,” Powers added.

“It’s going to be a big test for me as a driver and my ability to get the most out of the car. 

“To work with a team like Matt Stone Racing is great opportunity because they have so much experience and have amazing engineers. 

“So it’s the highest level I have ever competed in and I am really looking forward to it.” 

Despite Powers growing up more than 12,000km away in California, the American is no stranger to Supercars after following the Championship since he first got into motor sport under the guidance of his late father, making the selection the more special.

“My dad and I have always loved the touring car racing and we loved watching it together,” Powers explained 

“I have been watching Supercars since I was nine years old, trying to catch highlight reels over there, so it would be a dream if I could to make that step.

“My father passed away around five to six years ago and following this victory, I realised it was sort of because of him - he got me into motor sport and it was that moment after I won in which I was kind of finally able to repay him.

“It’s a way to honour his contribution to my career and passion in motor sport.” 

Powers will be confident joining Matt Stone Racing, with the team’s current Supercars regular Todd Hazelwood winning the series in 2017.

The Dunlop Super2 season will kick off in Adelaide on 28 February as part of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship’s opening round.