Sandusky, Ohio (February 12, 2015) – Two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion, Matt Crafton, and primary sponsor, Menards, announced today they have renewed their partnership for the 2015 NCWTS season. The extended partnership with Menards in 2015 will mark the 11th consecutive season that Crafton will drive the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra.
The Tulare, California native has scored all five of his career NCWTS wins and two consecutive championships piloting the iconic day-glow Menards Toyota Tundra and enters the 2015 NCWTS season aiming to make it three in a row. Joining Menards on the No. 88 will be vendor partners Damp Raid, Fisher Nuts, Hormel Pepperoni, Slim Jim, Chi-Chi’s, Great Lakes Flooring, Rip It Energy, IDEAL Door, and FVP.
“To be able to continue our partnership with Menards for the 2015 season is incredible,” said Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra. “We’ve been together at ThorSport Racing since 2005, and it speaks to the longevity of everyone involved. In this era, long running partnerships are rare, and incredibly valuable. It shows how committed ThorSport Racing is to the NCWTS, and how committed Menards and their partners are to our No. 88 team.”
Crafton, who won the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series championship in 2000, made his first start with ThorSport Racing/Menards in the NCWTS season finale in the same year, beginning the series’ longest running driver-team relationship. Crafton has since become a staple in the NCWTS, winning two titles and finishing in the top-10 in the standings in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
“Over the last couple years, we’ve seen the No. 88 team step up and compete at the highest level,” said team owner, Duke Thorson. “Our relationship with Menards and their vendor partners is the cornerstone of this program, and we’ve been thrilled to deliver two championships to them in the last two seasons.”
“It’s important to the success of ThorSport Racing to keep Matt (Crafton) and the No. 88 Menards team together, and renewing our partnership shows the value the NCWTS and our race program offers our partners year after year. Going into 2015, we’re honored to represent Menards, and their partners both on and off the track.”
Menards, a Midwest home-improvement store chain with a long history in racing, has three stock-car championships; one in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards with driver Frank Kimmel in the ThorSport Racing No. 44 Toyota (2013), and two NCWTS driver’s championships with Matt Crafton (2013 & 2014).
“We’re excited to continue our longstanding relationship with Matt Crafton and ThorSport Racing for the 2015 NCWTS season,” said Jeff Abbott, Menards Promotion Manager/Spokesperson. “We appreciate the efforts of ThorSport Racing and our vendor partners over the years and look forward to another great season. Matt is a championship driver and has always been a great ambassador for Menards.”
Crafton will kick-off his 16th season in the NCWTS at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 20. The 18th Annual NextEra Energy Resources 250 will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
For more on Menards Racing visit: MenardsRacing.com
Follow Matt Crafton on Twitter: @Matt_Crafton
For more on ThorSport Racing visit: ThorSport.com, or follow us on Facebook or tweet with us @ThorSportRacing
About Menards:
With 287 stores in 14 Midwestern 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.
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 Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport, which has competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter, and the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Cameron Hayley in 2015.