NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series News | Matt Crafton
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series News | Matt Crafton. Based Sandusky, Ohio, ThorSport Racing is the longest-tenured NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series team. In 2020 Matt once again joins ThorSport owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson with the team’s No. 88 Menards Ford F150.
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Matt Crafton – 2020 Atlanta Preview
Matt Crafton welcomes back Rip It Energy Drink onboard his No. 88 Menards Ford F-150 this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In 18 Gander Trucks Atlanta Motor Speedway starts, Crafton led 85 laps in the 2015 race where he drove to his first and only series win at the track. He earned a pole in 2016 and has led a total of 184 laps at the track where he averages an 11.7 finish. Ford Fact: Ford...
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Matt Crafton – 2020 Las Vegas Recap
Las Vegas Information: Started: 13th Stage 1: 12th Stage 2: 5th Finished: 4th Laps: 134/134 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 13th Owner Points: 15th Crafton’s 2020 Stats: Starts: 2 Laps Completed: 240/240 Laps Led: 0 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Top-five Finishes: 1 Top-10 Finishes: 1 Average start: 11.5 Average finish: 9.5...
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Matt Crafton – 2020 Las Vegas Preview
In 21 Gander Trucks LVMS starts, Matt Crafton has one pole award (2015), eight top five's and 12 top 10's including 140 laps led, averaging a 12.4 finish. He has a series track-best finish of second (2012, 2011, 2009). Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (454) in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 20 seasons, the three-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,569 l...
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Matt Crafton – 2020 Daytona Recap
Daytona Information: Started: 10th Stage 1: 16th Stage 2: 11th Finished: 15th Laps: 106/106 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 17th Owner Points: 19th 2020 Stats Starts: 1 Laps Completed: 106 Laps Led: 0 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Top-five Finishes: 0 Top-10 Finishes: 0 Average start: 10th Average finish: 15th...
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Matt Crafton – 2020 Daytona Preview
Matt Crafton enters the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season as the reigning champion of the series and welcomes Mold Armor onboard of the No. 88 Ford F-150. In 19 Gander Outdoors Truck Series Daytona starts, Crafton earned a series track-best finish of fifth in 2019 and 2010 in addition to averaging a 16.1 start at the track ThorSport Racing is celebrating 25 years in th...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Miami Recap
"It's an unbelievable feeling to have three, and just the whole group behind me, Duke and Rhonda Thorson, Menard's and every one of these guys that build these trucks every week, Junior and I are just the lucky ones. I know he makes all the calls, but at the end of the day these guys build these trucks and we're fortunate enough to be able to -- he makes the calls and I get to drive these thin...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Miami Preview
Matt Crafton erased a nine-point deficit last weekend at ISM Raceway to earn the final spot in the Championship 4. This is Crafton's third appearance in the Championship 4 as he will look to get his third series title on Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won back-to-back series titles in 2013 and 2014. In 18 Gander Outdoors Truck Series Homestead-Miami starts, Crafton started from the pole...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Phoenix Recap
“The race for our No. 88 IDEAL Door/Menards Ford F-150 was eventful but our truck was a hotrod. It had great long-run speed but towards the end of the race I just didn’t have the track position needed. That second to last restart, we had a bad restart and I told the guys on the team that I would make it up to them which I was able to do. We gained some positions back that we lost but all-in-al...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Phoenix Preview
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs: Friday's Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway is the final race of the Round of Six for the Gander Truck Series. Matt Crafton, sits fifth in the series Playoff standings, nine points out of fourth, the final transfer spot. In 18 Gander Trucks ISM starts, Crafton has started second three times (2014, 2010, 2007, and has finished second at the track in 2014....
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Martinsville Recap
Martinsville Information: Started: 4th Stage 1: 4th Stage 2: 29th Finished: 23rd Laps: 193/201 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 5th Owner Points: 9th 2019 Stats: Starts: 21 Laps Completed: 3007/3112 Laps Led: 35 Wins: 0 Poles: 3 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 16 Average start: 7.1 Average finish: 9.3...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Martinsville Preview
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs: Matt Crafton is fourth in the Playoff standings, 44 points behind leader Brett Moffitt. With two races remaining to set the Championship 4, Tyler Ankrum and Ross Chastain are ranked fifth and sixth. Ankrum is a single point behind Crafton in the cutoff position and Chastain is two points behind Crafton. In 35 Gander Trucks Martinsville Speedway star...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Talladega Recap
Talladega Information: Started: 1st Stage 1: 11th Stage 2: 10th Finished: 8th Laps: 98/98 Laps Led: 1 Status: Running Driver Points: 4th Owner Points: 9th 2019 Stats: Starts: 20 Laps Completed: 2814/2911 Laps Led: 35 Wins: 0 Poles: 3 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 16 Average start: 7.3 Average finish: 8.6...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Talladega Preview
Crafton Marks a Milestone: When Matt Crafton takes the green flag Saturday in the Sugarlands Shine 250 he will be making his 450th consecutive start in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,559 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top-five and 270 top-10 finishes. In 13 Gander Trucks Talladega starts, Crafton has a series car...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Las Vegas II Recap
LVMS Information: Started: 5th Stage 1: 2nd Stage 2: 29th Finished: 30th Laps: 39/134 Laps Led: 0 Status: Engine Driver Points: 5th Owner Points: 9th 2019 Stats: Starts: 19 Laps Completed: 2716/2813 Laps Led: 34 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 15 Average start: 7.6 Average finish: 8.6...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Las Vegas Preview
In 20 Gander Trucks LVMS starts, Matt Crafton has one pole award (2015), eight top five's and 12 top 10's including 140 laps led, averaging an 11.5 finish. He has a series track-best finish of second (2012, 2011, 2009). Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (448) in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,559 la...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Canada Recap
CTMP Information: Started: 10th Stage 1: 5th Stage 2: 6th Finished: 11th Laps: 64/64 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 4th Owner Points: 9th 2019 Stats: Starts: 18 Laps Completed: 2677/2679 Laps Led: 34 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 15 Average start: 7.8 Average finish: 7.4...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Canada Preview
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs: NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Playoffs continues at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP) on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET. Grant Enfinger and teammate Matt Crafton are tied in points - both sit 28 points behind the series point leader Brett Moffitt. Johnny Sauter is sixth in the standings, 38 points behind the point leader. In six Gander Tru...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Bristol Recap
“We just lost track position. Had a bad restart with the No. 2 (Sheldon Creed) up top and got shuffled back then had to try to fight our way back to the front from the back of the field. All of the guys on the No. 88 Great Lakes Flooring/Menards Ford F-150 team worked hard tonight and glad to be able to get a top-10 finish.” - Matt Crafton Bristol Information: Started: 11th Stage 1: 6th...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Bristol Preview
In 16 Gander Trucks Bristol starts, Crafton has four top five's and 10 top 10's including 129 laps led. He scored a series track-best finish, second, in 2017 and 2009. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (446) in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,559 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top-five and 269 top-10 fi...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Michigan Recap
"We got our Chi-Chi's/Menards Ford F-150 fast at the end of the day. I just raced my race because at the end of the day I knew the drivers that couldn't win and which ones were going to be tough at the end. When the No. 4 (Todd Gilliland), No. 18 (Harrison Burton), No. 99 (Ben Rhodes) were all one, two three, I knew I had to get up on the wheel. I was content for a while riding third and then try...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Michigan Preview
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs: The saying "win and you're in" takes on special significance this weekend as there is one position up for grabs this weekend. If one of the seven drivers moving on to the postseason wins this weekend at Michigan International Speedway - or he, himself wins, Matt Crafton will earn the final Playoff spot. If any other Playoff-eligible driver like Ben Rho...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Eldora Recap
Eldora Information: Started: 2nd Stage 1: 5th Stage 2: 3rd Finished: 10th Laps: 150//150 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 2nd Owner Points: 3rd 2019 Stats: Starts: 15 Laps Completed: 2308/2310 Laps Led: 34 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 13 Average start: 7.1 Average finish: 7.1...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Eldora Preview
In six Gander Trucks, starts at Eldora Speedway, Matt Crafton has two top five's and six top-10 finishes. He finished fourth in last year's race at the track after starting fourth. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (444) in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,559 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top-five an...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Pocono Recap
“We made progress on the No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Ford F-150 as the race went on. That’s all we can ask for. This place has always been a thorn in my side so to leave here with a top-10 finish and get some bonus points is an accomplishment.” - Matt Crafton Pocono Race Information: Started: 8th Stage 1: 11th Stage 2: 5th Finished: 6th Laps: 60/60 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Pocono Preview
In nine Gander Trucks, starts at Pocono Raceway, Matt Crafton has two top five's and six top-10 finishes. He finished ninth in last year at the track. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (443) in the Gander Trucks. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,559 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top-five and 266 top-10 finishes. Tea...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Kentucky Recap
Kentucky Race Information: Started: 4th Stage 1: 12th Stage 2: 1st Finished: 13th Laps: 148/150 Laps Led: 11 Status: Running Driver Points: 4th Owner Points: 5th 2019 Stats: Starts: 13 Laps Completed: 2098/2100 Laps Led: 34 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 11 Average start: 7.5 Average finish: 6.9...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Kentucky Preview
In 20 starts, Matt Crafton has one win (2015) at Kentucky Speedway in the Gander Trucks, in addition to two poles (2015, 2012). He finished third in last year's Buckle Up in Your Truck 225. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (442) in the Gander Truck Series. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,548 laps en route to 14 wi...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Chicagoland Recap
Chicagoland Race Information: Started: 11th Stage 1: 7th Stage 2: 7th Finished: 8th Laps: 150/150 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 4th Owner Points: 5th 2019 Stats: Starts: 12 Laps Completed: 1950/1950 Laps Led: 23 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 11 Average start: 7.8 Average finish: 6.4...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Chicagoland Preview
In 10 starts Matt Crafton has led 38 laps and completed 1458/1505 laps at Chicagoland in the Gander Trucks, in addition to a pole in 2009 and a track-best finish of second (2014). Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (441) in the Gander Truck Series. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,548 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top-five...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Gateway Recap
World Wide Technology Raceway at GatewayRace Information: Started: 3rd Stage 1: 8th Stage 2: 3rd Finished: 9th Laps: 160/160 Laps Led: 1 Status: Running Driver Points: 3rd Owner Points: 4th 2019 Stats: Starts: 11 Laps Completed: 1800/1800 Laps Led: 23 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 10 Average start: 7.5 Average finish: 6.3...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Gateway Preview
Matt Crafton has led 76 laps and completed 2352/2426 laps at WWTR in the Gander Trucks. He has a track-best start of third (2015) and a track-best finish of fourth (2017) in 15 starts. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (440) in the Gander Truck Series. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned 15 poles, and led 2,544 laps en route to 14 wins, 115 top...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Iowa Recap
Iowa Race Information: Started: 4th Stage 1: 1st Stage 2: 7th Finished: 7th Laps: 200/200 Laps Led: 3 Status: Running Driver Points: 2nd Owner Points: 3rd 2019 Stats: Starts: 10 Laps Completed: 1640/1640 Laps Led: 22 Wins: 0 Poles: 2 Top-five Finishes: 6 Top-10 Finishes: 9 Average start: 7.9 Average finish: 6.0...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Iowa Preview
Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 3rd 2019 Owner Point Standings: 4th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky Crafton’s Iowa Stats Starts: 12 Highest start: 2nd (2018) Highest finish: 1st (2011) Last race finish: 26th Laps led: 109 Top-five finishes: 5 Top-10 finishes: 10 Average start: 9.1 Average finish: 7.9 Laps completed: 2336/2417...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Texas Recap
"I tried to get to his (Biffle) bumper with four to go in Turn 1 but got really tight and couldn't make up the difference - it's so aero dependent. I really wanted to get a win tonight at Texas Motor Speedway." - Matt Crafton Texas Race Information: Started: 10th Stage 1: 1st Stage 2: 8th Finished: 2nd Laps: 167/167 Laps Led: 0 Status: Running Driver Points: 3rd Owner Points: 4th...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Texas Preview
In 37 Gander Trucks starts at Texas, Matt Crafton has led 429 laps en route to two wins (2015, 2014), 15 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes, three poles (2015, 2010, 2009) and has completed 5674/5815 laps at the track, averaging an 8.9 finish. Crafton holds the record for consecutive starts (438) in the Gander Truck Series. Among his success in the past 19 seasons, the two-time champion has earned...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Charlotte Recap
"I didn't really want that last restart. I wanted to be a little closer to the No. 99. Kyle (Busch) was definitely the class. All in all, we had two poles in a row and definitely have the right foot forward - making progress. I just wish we could get a win and get that monkey off of our back. At the end of the day, we keep running top five and three each and every week, you can go get those (wins)...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Charlotte Preview
In 16 Gander Truck Series starts at Charlotte, Matt Crafton has led 101 laps en route to two wins (2016, 2008), six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Crafton's best start is second (2014). Additionally, he has the most starts (16), the most top-10 finishes (12), has completed the most laps (2,159), and has the most lead lap finishes (15) of any other active series driver in the Gander Truck Series....
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Kansas Recap
"It was nice to lead some laps early. We just fought tight the last half of race. Could never get the truck freed up. We had good short run speed at the beginning and then terrible the last half of the race. Ready to go on to Charlotte." Kansas Race Information: Started: 1st Stage 1: 6th Stage 2: 6th Finished: 6th Laps: 167/167 Laps Led: 8 Status: Running Driver Points: 6th Owner Point...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Kansas Preview
In 18 Gander Outdoors Series starts at Kansas, Matt Crafton has recorded two wins (2015, 2013) five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 6th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 8th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky Crafton’s Kansas Stats Starts: 18 Highest start: 2nd (2017, 2015) Highest finish: 1st (2015, 2013) Last r...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Dover Recap
"We overcame a lot of adversity. We started in the back due to a motor problem and after the first segment we had a plug wire come loose to where we had to start in the back again. It’s great for the ThorSport organization having all four of our Ford F-150 trucks in the top six." -Matt Crafton Dover Race Information: Started: 5th** Stage 1: 10th Stage 2: 11th Finished: 5th Laps: 200/200...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Dover Preview
Among active drivers, Matt Crafton has the most starts (18), the most top-five (6) and most top-10 (11) finishes, has completed the most laps (3,184) and has the most lead lap finishes (12). Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 6th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 8th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky Crafton’s Dover Stats Starts: 18 Highest start: 2nd...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Texas Recap
MATT CRAFTON GRABS HIS 16TH CONSECUTIVE TOP-10 FINISH AT TEXAS "We were off. We still need to be better on the short run and have better short run speed that we didn't have tonight. In the end it wasn't a bad day for our Flex Seal / Menards Ford F-150 and ThorSport as a group." Texas Race Information: Started: 12th Stage 1: 12th Stage 2: 2nd Finished: 5th Laps: 147/147 Laps Led: 0 St...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Texas Preview
Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 8th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 10th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky News and Notes: Take me back to Texas 2018: The No. 88 Flex Seal/Menards driver, Matt Crafton, will make his 37th NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series start Friday night. In 36 previous starts, The ThorSport Raci...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Martinsville Recap
"The No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Ford F-150 had a solid day at Martinsville and was able to leave with an eighth-place finish in spite of having to restart in the back for the beginning of Stage 2 due to a pit road penalty. Not the finish I would have liked, but on to Texas." Martinsville Race Information: Started: 6th Stage 1: 6th Stage 2: 12th Finished: 8th Laps: 250/250 Laps Led: 0 Stat...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Martinsville Preview
Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 6th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 8th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky News and Notes: Friday Fun: The No. 88 Menards/Ideal Door Ford F-150 unloaded at Martinsville Speedway Friday where it took to the track for two practices. Matt Crafton posted an 18th-place finish in the first practice a...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Las Vegas Recap
MATT CRAFTON BOUNCES BACK WITH A DAMAGED TRUCK AT LAS VEGAS AND BRINGS HOME A TOP-THREE FINISH "We fought all night. Had some great restarts, we got shuffled back [in the field] but drove it back into the top five. It's amazing how fast the DampRid/Menards Ford F-150 was with the left rear quarter panel damaged as bad as it was. I'd say the No. 88 truck is back." Las Vegas Race Information:...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Las Vegas Preview
Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 6th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 8th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky News and Notes: This Week's No. 88 Menards Ford F-150: The ThorSport Racing team will unload the No. 88 Menards truck following a 14th-place finish at Atlanta last weekend. Intermediate Track Facts: No current NASCAR...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Atlanta Recap
Atlanta Race Information: Started: 10th Stage 1: 8th Stage 2: 9th Finished: 14th Laps: 130/130 Laps Led: 4 Status: Running Driver Points: 6th Owner Points: 8th "The Rip It / Menards Ford F-150 was fast at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Unfortunately a loose wheel in the late laps of the race led me to come back down pit road. A 14th-place finish didn't show how strong we were but we wer...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Atlanta Preview
Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: 6th 2019 Owner Point Standings: 7th Spotter: Jason Hedlesky News and Notes: This Week's No. 88 Rip It/Menards Ford F-150: The No. 88 ThorSport Racing team will unload Saturday's NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) Ultimate Tailgating 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sa...
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Matt Crafton – 2019 Daytona Preview
88 Menards Ford F-150 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Team Info/Stats: Crew Chief: Carl "Junior" Joiner, Jr. 2019 Driver Point Standings: n/a 2019 Owner Point Standings: n/a Spotter: Jason Hedlesky News and Notes: Truck Series "Iron Man": In his 430 series starts Crafton has piloted his No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Ford F-150 to 109 top-five and 225 top-10 finishes. 19th Cons...