11/1/2025

Berco Blog:

After the best-appearing, record-holding 1966 Berco-built Chevrolet Biscayne was freshened up and brought back to life after nearly 17 years, it was time for the car builder, shop owner, and father to give up the seat. The keys were handed over to Mat, who wasted no time making his mark behind the wheel of the family-built Stock Eliminator car. Competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Mat qualified the Berco-built 283 small-block Chevrolet at the top of the field in four of six Division 1 races, where Stock Eliminator fields averaged nearly 78 cars. In a class where thousandths of a second matter and consistency is everything, the Biscayne quickly proved it still belonged in the conversation of being a competitive race car.

The 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne has long been a special piece for the Berco Automotive family. Built with pride, patience, and extreme attention to detail, the car represents more than just racing. It represents years of work, family history, and the kind of hands-on craftsmanship that has been part of Berco Automotive since the beginning. The O/SA Biscayne was not only quick but consistent. In Stock Eliminator, qualifying well is only part of the battle. Once eliminations begin, drivers must balance reaction time, throttle control, and finish-line decisions while racing opponents who are often just as prepared. For Mat, each round became another opportunity to improve and gain confidence.“I knew the car was good, but I also knew I had a lot to learn,” said Mat. “Stock Eliminator is not easy. You’re racing some of the best drivers in the country, especially in Division 1.  I’ve been focused on learning as much as I can every time the car goes down the track.” Which isn’t a ton for the freshman driver, as a full-time senior business student pursuing his M.B.A. in New York City.

For the Berco Automotive team, the return of the Biscayne was about more than performance numbers. It was about bringing a piece of family history back to the track. After nearly 17 years away, the car returned with the same Berco-built pride that made it stand out years ago. The Biscayne continued to turn heads in the pits and on the starting line, carrying the look of a classic Stocker with the performance to back it up. With strong qualifying performances across the Division 1 schedule, Mat and the Berco Automotive team showed that the 1966 Biscayne still can be a serious player in Stock Eliminator. The combination of a well-prepared car, a proven small-block Chevrolet, along with a young driver gaining confidence, made for a memorable return season in 2025.

As the team looks ahead, the goal is simple: keep improving, keep learning, and turn qualifying strength into elimination-round success. In a class filled with talented drivers and finely tuned combinations, Mat knows there is still work to do, but the want to learn and win is clearly there. After nearly two decades away, the Berco-built 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne has returned with purpose. With Mat behind the wheel and the Berco Automotive name on the car, the family-built Stocker is once again making noise in NHRA Division 1 competition.