​HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — What originally started as a pandemic hobby quickly turned into something bigger for 14-year-old Matthew Garland. Matthew started karting in 2020 and soon realized this was a passion he wanted to pursue. His family packed up their bags and moved from California to Huntersville so they could be in the heart of stockcar racing. As Garland’s racing career has grown, so have some of the challenges he faces. Born with a rare genetic condition called Ectodermal Dysplasia, his body can’t regulate heat the same way most people can. While competing in Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout, Matthew has to take extra steps to prepare himself for the North Carolina heat inside his Legends car. While his path to the racetrack might be a little different, his goals are the same as every driver in the garage. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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