SANDUSKY, Ohio (Dec. 15, 2022) – ThorSport Racing will partner with Ford Performance for the upcoming 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season and beyond. Racing into its 28th year of competition, the team also welcomes Hailie Deegan to its driver lineup.
“With 28 years in the Truck Series, we look forward to the partnership with Ford Performance in NASCAR,” said team owner Duke Thorson. “Our pursuit of wins and championships remains at the forefront of our objectives.”
“We’re happy to welcome ThorSport back to our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Duke has assembled one of the best organizations in the series with a driver lineup that is filled with youth and experience. We celebrated a championship together just a few years ago and know they have the potential to do it again in 2023.”
Deegan, a California native, will enter her third full-time season in the Truck Series. She drove to a series-career-best sixth at Talladega Superspeedway this past season and was named Most Popular Driver for the second consecutive year.
She joined Ford Performance as part of its driver development program following the 2019 season and drove in a variety of different disciplines in 2020, including the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and ARCA Menards Series where she finished third in the point standings and won Rookie of the Year honors.
Deegan competed in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2018 and ’19, earning three victories during her time there. She also has a decorated off-road racing career and is the daughter of Motorcross legend, Brian Deegan.
Three-time series champion, Matt Crafton will enter his 23rd full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series along with long-time ThorSport partner Menards.
Ben Rhodes, the 2021 series champion, is set to compete in his eighth full-time season in the Truck Series, following a season that consisted of one win, eight top-five finishes, and finishing second in the final points standings.
Following a breakout year that included two wins, and a spot in the Championship Four, Ty Majeski returns for his sophomore year at ThorSport Racing.
About ThorSport Racing
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio is the longest-tenured NASCAR Truck Series team, competing in the series since 1996. The Sandusky-based team has a combined five driver’s championships – four in the Truck Series and one in the ARCA Menards Series with Frank Kimmel. In addition, the team has 15 consecutive seasons in the Truck Series, with at least one win.
For more information visit www.thorsport.com.
About Ford Performance
Ford’s racing program is part of the Ford Performance organization based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for major racing operations globally, including NASCAR (Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series), IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, FIA World Rally Championship, Virgin Australia Supercars, Formula Drift, NHRA Funny Car, off-road desert racing, and sportsman drag racing. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit www.fordperformance.com, www.facebook/FordPerformance, Ford Performance on Instagram and @FordPerformance on Twitter.