Matt Crafton, ThorSport Racing and Menards will commemorate a 20-year partnership on Friday, February 17 at Daytona marking the longest driver/sponsor relationship in NASCAR, surpassing Richard Petty and STP.
Menards, a Midwest home-improvement store chain that has a long history in racing, has four championships with ThorSport: one in the ARCA Menards Series with driver Frank Kimmel in the ThorSport Racing No. 44 (2013), and three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver’s championships with Crafton (2013, 2014 and 2019).
“We’ve had an outstanding partnership with ThorSport through the years,” commented Menards President John Menard. “The success we’ve had both off and on the track with Matt Crafton and ThorSport has proven to be legendary. To be able to have NASCAR’s longest-running partnership with a driver and team says it all!”
Crafton has scored all 15 of his career Truck Series wins and three championships piloting the iconic Menards yellow color. The Tulare, California native, who owns the series’ record for consecutive starts, 521, going into the 2023 season, will drive the No. 88 Menards Ford F-150 for what will be his 24th overall year with ThorSport Racing.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would still get to be doing what I love so many years after my career started,” expressed Crafton. “I especially could not have imagined being lucky enough to have a sponsor stand by my side through all of it. Between ThorSport and Menards I have truly found a family that I am so grateful to have been a part of. Looking forward to a strong season together.”
In addition, ThorSport Racing and Menards will mark their 22nd consecutive year together continuing their long-standing partnership when the green flag drops at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17th.
Joining Menards on the No. 88 will be vendor partners Ideal Door, Mold-Armor, Jack Links, Chi-Chi’s, Black Label Bacon, Great Lakes Flooring, Generac, Flex Seal, Paslode, Slim Jim, Planters, and Denali Aire.
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener from Daytona International Speedway is on Friday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Additional coverage can be found via the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Channel 90.
About Menards
With 335 stores in 15 states, Menards has the tools, materials, and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low-price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town, and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.
To find a Menards store location near you or for more information about Menards, please visit www.menards.com.
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.