From growing up at the track to paving his own path in the racing world, Matt Latino has steadily grown his involvement in drag racing. “My dad has been drag racing for as long as I can remember. I was practically born and raised at the racetrack,” Latino reflects.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
Latino’s own journey began at age five with go-karts, where he competed until age 12, when his father, Eric Latino, shifted to outlaw Pro Modified racing. Together, they attended local Canadian tracks, and by 13, Matt was part of his father’s pit crew.
“I learned a lot in those early years,” Latino shares. “I was folding parachutes, checking valve lash, adjusting clutch counterweights, and setting base pressure. It was hands-on learning in the best way.”
As his father progressed into the NHRA ranks, Matt remained an integral part of the team, traveling to every race and gaining deeper insight into the sport. At 16, he returned to the driver’s seat, racing his ’64 Plymouth Valiant, which he fondly describes as “the ultimate sleeper.” Alongside driving, he honed his mechanical skills, tackling motor swaps, installing nitrous kits, and porting cylinder heads.
At just 18, Matt opened Anything Customs, his own custom automotive shop. “We took on everything, from custom stereos to nitrous kits and engine swaps. Hence the name, Anything Customs,” Latino explains. Simultaneously managing his business and racing, he also pursued a Pro Street car project with a ‘73 Duster, transforming it into a certified race-ready machine.
For the last three years, Latino has focused on promoting and expanding his family’s high-performance emissions business, Global Emissions Systems Inc. (GESi).
“We manufacture EPA-compliant catalytic converters, allowing high-performance vehicles to be both street-legal and powerful,” he explains. “I work directly with exhaust manufacturers to demonstrate that performance doesn’t have to come at the expense of compliance. You can be fast, street-legal, and compliant.”
Latino’s role in Global Emission Systems has been pivotal in business development, where he’s grown the company through partnerships with leading exhaust manufacturers worldwide.
“A lot of these partnerships stem from connections within the motorsports community,” he adds, underlining the value of his B2B relationships. “I’m looking to bring that same drive and network to my racing career, where I hope to secure a sponsor who sees my dedication to both the business and racing worlds.”
What’s next? Latino has high hopes for a two-car Pro Stock team in the 2025 NHRA season. “I’ve always wanted to be in a car,” Latino shares. “Running my business at 18 took priority then, and for the past five years, managing our high-performance brand has been my main focus. But now, with our company’s growth, we have both the resources and facilities, particularly with the recent acquisition of KB Racing, to make this a reality.”
With his business thriving and a solid family foundation, Latino feels the timing is finally right. “I’m married, we have a daughter, our home, and our company is positioned to support this next step. Now is the perfect time to jump in.”
This story was originally published on February 10, 2025. 
