Although he is only 29 years of age, Matthew Dillner has already amassed what some consider to be an impressive career in television production. Through hard work and dedication to his craft, the native Long Islander has won numerous awards for his producing skills and camera work. Yet, Matthew knows there is no time to rest on his laurels. He is continually evolving as a producer and cameraman to make sure his skills and work are on the cutting edge of the industry.
No matter how you look at it, 15-years-old is young in every aspect of life. But, it’s also the age Dillner received his first break in television production.
Matthew’s older brother, Bob, was in a jam. He was producing, editing and hosting his first-ever TV show, Long
Island Trackside (in NY), and needed some help. So he called on his younger brother, who was still in High School at the time, and taught him the art of television production. The rest, as they say, is history.
"I basically got a lucky break and started in the industry at an unusually young age," explains Matthew. "I am lucky because not too many 29-year-olds have as many years under their belt in the business as I do. It was a lucky break to get in to television that early. I basically had to balance school and working in television full-time. It was a lot of work but the hands on experience was something that a text book could not teach you."
Matthew began working as a production assistant on the New York based Motorsports program. He quickly became the Associate Producer of the show. The two brothers worked together for five years on their popular racing program.
Dillner also worked in the television news industry in New York, doing camerawork, editing and producing the sports segments for the News 12 Long Island. Dillner often produced sports segments working with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Wolff.
"I didn't just work for our Long Island Trackside show. I picked up a camera and learned to become a cameraman, honed my editing and writing skills. I have always said that the more things you can do, the more valuable and knowledgeable you are in your field."
"Working with my brother is something I will always probably do," admits Dillner. "We both have a similar work ethic and passion for the sport. We both like to push the boundries and do things that have never beed done in the sport before. That is one of the reasons we started 51 Sports. Bob, Jeremy Troiano and I are big Short Track supporters and fans and wanted to make a real impact in the Short Track world."
51 Sports' clients range from NASCAR star Jamie McMurray, Busch series drivers like Reed Sorenson and David Stremme, to undiscovered talents in the racing world such as Jason Hogan, Donny Lia and Joey Logano and a host of others.
Matthew is 51 Sports' lead web designer, photographer and contributes as a writer on a regular basis as well. He attends several Short Track events throughout the season gathering interviews and uncovering stories at racetracks across America.
The Brothers Dillner at Daytona in 2002.
Dad's #51 Figure-8 car at Islip Speedway.
As far as the sport itself, Matthew has been going to races all of his life. Racing is one of his true passions in life.
Throughout his career in Motorsports, he has covered and made special relationships in many racing series, including that of NASCAR, ASA, CART, IRL & NHRA and more.
The youngest of the Dillner brothers has also attended more than 122 race tracks in his lifetime and counting. When Matthew is not at a race for television or for Speed51.com, he is at a race somewhere as a spectator.
"I Love racing more than anything really. A lot of people don't realize the importance also of paying attention to the grassroots of the sport. It truly helps my job to know the sport inside and out and more than just the particular series that I work in.
"I love going to local tracks and Regional Touring races. It also helps me gain knowledge of up and coming drivers and develop relationships with the Short Track racers of today and the big-time racing stars of tomorrow."
"My Dad raced before I was born. He stopped racing when my brother was a child. Dad believed it was more important to put milk and bread on the table rather than tires on a racecar. But that didn't take him nor our family away from the sport. We went to races my entire life as a family."
As part of his current position, Matthew works with NBC and TNT Sports as its exclusive cameraman to shoot features on the men behind the wheel and the guys behind the wrenches in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup and Busch Series. His work is showcased on the national broadcasts of NASCAR Racing on the two networks.
As part of that same business, Matthew has also helped build the most popular short track racing site on the web, speed51.com. The site concentrates solely on short track racing, both from a news and entertainment standpoint. In just three years, it has become the place people check out to fuel their appetite for short track racing across the country.
Matthew has now become one of the industry's leading cameramen and photographers. He is also an up-and-coming and award-winning producer.During his 13 years of experience, Matthew has worked with a wealth of knowledge, from industry leaders at networks such as NBC, TNT and FOX, to the regional news network of News 12 Long Island. From sports production to entertainment and even a little news gathering, Dillner has covered the gamut. Matthew has even dabbled in the film industry as well, something he also has a passion for, although his main focus has been in TV.
The Motorsports Industry has been a niche for the entire Dillner family and Matthew is no exception. His father, Bob Sr., was a Figure-8 and drag racer in the late ‘60s
The Dillner clan continues to work together on several projects, including 51 Sports. Matthew and Bob partner on this operation, which concentrates in the sports services world of Motorsports. As part of 51 Sports, they have built one of the leading website design and maintenance companies in this particular industry.
Matthew interviews Modified driver Ted Christopher for Speed51.com
Relationships are important at all levels of the sport. (ABOVE) Matthew stands in victory lane with collegue Sean Pragano from Fox Sports Net and race winner Elliott Sadler at Texas Motor Speeedway. (BELOW) Matthew poses with NASCAR Modified star Donny Lia after a big win.
Recently Matthew has been able to realize a dream by competing as a driver in various divisions of racing. Dillner has raced Legends cars at Lowe's Motor Speedway as well as wheeling a Crashcar (Streetstock) at the North Carolina track. He has also competed in the WKA Go Kart ranks as well as a Cyclone Dirt Late Model in Delaware.
"I have always wanted to race. Growing up we never had the opportunity financially to make it happen. Now I am just enjoying the opportunity to race. To me it is fun and a hobby. I realize that my job in television and what I do within the Short Track Industry are the actions and responsibilities that define my role in the sport. I just love being around racing."
Matthew Dillner may already be a veteran in the media industry, but by no means is he just sitting on what he knows to be the best right now. Do that, and he knows you’ll fall behind in a blink of an eye. Matthew is always looking for those special opportunities that will bring him to that next level.
Matthew is presented the 2004 Russ Catlin Miller Lite Journalism Award of Excellence for a story he produced about Bowman Gray Stadium (NC) that aired on several Fox Sports Net Programs. .
and early ‘70s on Long Island, NY. Matthew’s brother, Bob Jr., is currently an on-air commentator for FOX’s SPEED Channel.
