This is Erica Dewey | 88 for ThorSport full-time with sponsorship from Fast Track Delivery Sealer and XE Sighting System. GettyMatt Crafton watches qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway. Menards took over the No. Jennifer Menard remained in North Carolina . Craftons first NASCAR win came at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16, 2008, in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200. (Photo by Jim Fluharty/NASCAR Illustrated/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images), 4608 x 3072 px (15.36 x 10.24 in) - 300 dpi - 3 MB. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet twice in 2014; first at January Daytona testing after a pipe burst in Menard's house, and Crafton was third fastest with a speed of 194.342 miles per hour (312.763km/h). He has been a full-time driver since the 2000 season, and he is the only competitor to top both 400 and 500 career starts. On June 5, he won at Texas, successfully defending his win from the year before, another career first. Matt Crafton was born on 11 June, 1976 in Tulare, California, United States, is an American stock car racing driver. In 2004, Crafton signed on to drive the No. It's indescribable, really". "I told you that was a magic number. On February 28, 2015, Crafton scored his sixth career Truck victory in the revived Atlanta race. Crafton was born in Tulare, California. 2023 Getty Images. He would add one more win in the season finale at Homestead-Miami, marking his first career victory from the pole; his season total of six wins are more than in his entire career prior to 2015. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' championship leader Matt Crafton has some serious work to do between now and May 16, the opening day of practice for the next series race, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Crafton began his go-kart career at the age of seven after receiving a kart as a present for graduating from kindergarten. He is a three-time champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ( 2013, 2014, 2019 ), in which he competes full-time, driving the No. ). Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy at the Pure Michigan 400 in place of Martin Truex Jr., who was on leave as his girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, underwent cancer treatment. He went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 before adding his third title in 2019. On November 15, 2019, Crafton claimed his 3rd career Championship despite going winless for the second season in a row. On March 30, 2014, Crafton scored his fourth career Truck win at Martinsville. Ron Hornaday Jr. is the second driver on the list with 360 career starts in the Truck Series. His fourth win of the season came at Kentucky after the race was cut short due to damage to the catchfence from Ben Kennedys crash. He failed to make the Championship 4. Craftons performance in those races led Danny to hang up his helmet and step out of his familiar No. 10, 1981 and has two brothers and a sister. A three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion just landed a new partner. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. He won multiple national and regional championships before moving to midgets at the age of 15, winning twenty main events. Because of Crafton's sponsorship with Menards, he has made spot duty with Menards' Cup teams, including taking over for Paul Menard on occasion. He clinched his first Truck Series championship with his start in that race, and was able to stay on the lead lap despite late crash damage to become the first driver to complete every lap of the season in the Truck Series. Menards first joined as an associate sponsor in 2002 and that season he earned six top-tens and finished fifteenth in points. [26], In March 2019, Crafton participated in the Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car race at Sebring International Raceway, driving a Ford for Multimatic Motorsports alongside ThorSport Racing teammates Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Myatt Snider. They were friends at first but after hanging out for a few months (and Matt became available) they took a shot at a relationship. Personal touch and engage with his followers. He returned to TORC in 2015, running in the Pro 4WD division in a Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit-sponsored truck at Texas. Over four years later, he made his second Cup start in the 2019 First Data 500 at Martinsville in the No. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. A three-time champion of the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (2013, 2014, 2019), he currently races full-time in the series, in which he drives the No. Born on June 11, 1976, the Racecar driver Matt Crafton is arguably the worlds most influential social media star. Our People | Crafton Tull On May 13, 2016, Crafton scored his twelfth career Truck victory at Dover. Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. Over four years later, he made his second Cup start in the 2019 First Data 500 at Martinsville in the No. 88 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing. NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 presented Including the Charlotte event on May 17 the series has four races in the space of seven weeks. Crafton practiced and qualified for Menard at the Auto Club 400, qualifying 30th. Picture taken on Nov 14, 2014 in the United States. 18 after Busch suffered a compound leg fracture in the previous day's Xfinity Series race. Later in the year, he returned to the Childress Cup paddock, qualifying the No. The partnership began in 2001, which was Craftons second season in the Craftsman Truck Series. In 2014, he attempted to make his Cup Series debut with RAB Racing in the No. He won his third career race at Kansas in April. | Website by. "But I never thought I'd see the day that Matt could look that angelic Never -- but I can see he's already in trouble -- days old and she's already got him worked. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, since the car was sponsored by Menards (which he drives in the Truck series). To be able to have NASCARs longest-running partnership with a driver and team says it all!. 6 GM Goodwrench Silverado owned by Kevin Harvick Incorporated. 46 full-time in 1997. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. The Racecar driver with a large number of Twitter followers, with whom he shares his life experiences. Read top and most recent tweets from his Twitter account here When Danny was injured with three races left in the 1996 season, he selected his son as his substitute. "I'm proud of Matt and Ashley, and I know they'll raise her to be a good little girl," Joiner said. Hailie Deegan will join ThorSport Racing after two full seasons at David Gilliland Racing now Tricon Garage. He clinched his first Truck Series championship with his start in that race,[1] and was able to stay on the lead lap despite late crash damage to become the first driver to complete every lap of the season in the Truck Series. [3] On June 6, he won on fuel strategy at Texas Motor Speedway to win two races in a season for the first time in his career. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford while Menard was dealing with neck pain; Crafton practiced the car on Friday. The driver of the No. ThorSport Racing confirmed Craftons return, Joe Gibbs Racing Can Reach a Major Milestone in 2022. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Grant Enfinger has already left the team to join GMS Racing, but Johnny Sauters future remains in question. But for the driver who assumed the Truck Series' points lead less than two weeks ago after a combination of Crafton's win in the series' last race, at Kansas Speedway and a penalty to his ThorSport Racing teammate Johnny Sauter that reversed their first and second positions in the standings, the reality of having a child is mind-boggling. Matt Crafton Celebrates Historic NASCAR Season in 2023 When Matt called and told me it was 'go time,' I told him it was the 26, "The only thing that would've been cooler would have been if my son was born on December 26. He is from United States. He also made his Nationwide debut that year, running the No. In March 2019, Crafton participated in the Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car race at Sebring International Raceway, driving a Ford for Multimatic Motorsports alongside ThorSport Racing teammates Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Myatt Snider. He finished 2nd at Homestead to Austin Hill and 2 spots ahead of Ross Chastain to claim his 3rd career Truck Series Championship. Crafton earned 11 top 10s before finishing 11th in points in 2003. Later in the year, he returned to the Childress Cup paddock, qualifying the No. He became the first in Series history to claim a Championship despite finishing a season winless and the second to pull off the feat in any Series since, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 04:20. However, Crafton struggled more noticeably with consistency than in the previous two seasons. READ NEXT: Joe Gibbs Racing Can Reach a Major Milestone in 2022, Matt Crafton Will Make History Once Again in 2022, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. The Craftons' child's birth came six days after Crafton's win in Kansas -- which was shades of Sauter's victory two years ago at Martinsville, which preceded the birth of he and wife Cortney's daugher, Paige, by just days. In 2002, she joined Millenium Model Management. Currently, she is working full-time and in school studying to be a forensic scientist. 2011 saw the second win of Craftons career at Iowa Speedway, in addition to poles at Michigan International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, where he broke the track qualifying record. Crafton took over the No. Lance White out as Pitt women's basketball coach after 5 seasons 2013 was Crafton's best season in his career to date. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Popularly known as the Racecar driver of United States of America. Early career [ edit] Crafton was born in Tulare, California. The win moved him into the top five in points for 2008. Matt Crafton's income source is mostly from being a successful Driver. On June 5, he won at Texas, successfully defending his win from the year before, another career first. 88 is only 10th on the all-time wins list, he is second in a more important category. Matt Crafton Celebrates Historic NASCAR Season in 2023, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Crafton and his wife, Ashley, need to ease their newborn daugher, Elladee Ann, off her first favorite habit catching a few winks on her father's chest. Matt Crafton Will Make History Once Again in 2022 | Heavy.com Discover Matt Crafton's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. On stage, she has performed in "Grease," "12 Angry Men" and "Damn Yankees." 88 for ThorSport full-time with sponsorship from Fast Track Delivery Sealer and XE Sighting System. He had eleven top-tens and finished twelfth in the championship standings, third behind Ricky Hendrick and Travis Kvapil for Rookie of the Year. "I wish I could tell you when (the routine) might level off," Crafton said. He will use the race to continue a historic partnership. He is from United States. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Before turning to NASCAR racing in 2000, he raced go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints. He and his wife, Krist, have four children. He is seen as one of the most successful Racecar driver of all times. Majeski and Rhodes both won races while reaching the championship four. 46 entry for the final three races of the season. Although Crafton still won no races throughout 2019, he made his 2nd-ever Championship 4 appearance. Elladee's birth on April 26th was icing on the cake for Joiner. GettyTruck Series drivers race at World Wide Technology Raceway. "I told you that was a magic number. 36 of Front Row Motorsports after Matt Tifft was hospitalized with a health problem.[20]. Getty He has a pure loving kind heart personality. [13] Menard eventually ran the first stage before Crafton relieved him for the remainder of the race;[14] he was involved in a multi-car wreck on lap 163 but finished 14th. Matt Crafton's Crew Chief Exiting NASCAR | Heavy.com He is from United States. And although she was too young for him growing up, she has apparently said that she had a crush on him. 29 at the Brickyard 400, but failed to qualify. The win moved him into the top five in points for 2008. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford while Menard was dealing with neck pain; Crafton practiced the car on Friday. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. He returned to TORC in 2015, running in the Pro 4WD division in a Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit-sponsored truck at Texas. [19] He finished 18th after starting 43rd. Menards first joined as an associate sponsor in 2002 and that season he earned six top-tens and finished fifteenth in points. While he has the most Truck Series starts by far, Crafton is not at the top of the list in terms of wins. NEWS: @Matt_Crafton, #ThorSportRacing, and @MenardsRacing 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. 2022 Matt Crafton. Crafton earned 11 top 10s before finishing 11th in points in 2003. It was also the first time he led more than 100 laps in a race. Crafton had another strong season in 2010, earning one pole at Texas Motor Speedway, 10 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes, resulting in a season-ending rank of fourth. Matt Crafton's net worth [6], In 2021, Crafton went winless again, but made the Championship 4, benefited by late-race chaos at Martinsville. However, they both fell short of the ultimate goal while Zane Smith delivered a title to Front Row Motorsports. Matt Crafton - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages Including the Charlotte event on May 17 the series has four races in the space of seven weeks. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy at the Pure Michigan 400 in place of Martin Truex Jr., who was on leave as his girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, underwent cancer treatment. "Is that cool or what?" ", At Kansas, an emotional Joiner had told of how important the number "26" was in his family's racing history, as Crafton's win came in Joiner's 26, "Is that cool or what?" Despite crashing out at Dover and Gateway, his first DNFs in over two years, Crafton would ultimately go on to become the first back-to-back champion in the Truck Series. Matt Crafton celebrates with wife Ashley and daughter Elladee in After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Matt started his career as a civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force where he managed the design and construction of many projects for Air Force missions around the world, serving in both Operation DESERT STORM and Operation RESTORE HOPE (Somalia). Matt Craftons income source is mostly from being a successful Driver. When Matt called and told me it was 'go time,' I told him it was the 26, "The only thing that would've been cooler would have been if my son was born on December 26. So, how much is Matt Crafton worth at the age of 46 years old? And he laughed again when he was asked how he thought things would level-off when the Truck Series gets back to racing. Back at the ThorSport Racing shops in Sandusky, Crafton's crew chief "Junior" Joiner grinned even wider than normal, recently, when he thought about the circumstances of Elladee's birth. Matt and Ashley Crafton celebrate first daughter's birth Crafton has three Truck Series championships to his name (2013, 2014, 2019). His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. She will drive the No. On June 6, he won on fuel strategy at Texas Motor Speedway to win two races in a season for the first time in his career. Crafton scored his fifth victory of the season at Martinsville on October 31, marking his second win at Martinsville, and the deepest into the season he had ever won a race to that point. Crafton is the only Truck Series driver to make 400 starts, and he will become the only one to reach 500. 13 Ford F-150 while getting into the best equipment of her Craftsman Truck Series career. Which he competes full-time, driving the No. (key) (Bold Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Copyright 2010 - 2023 STS Motorsports Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2011 saw the second win of Crafton's career at Iowa Speedway, in addition to poles at Michigan International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, where he broke the track qualifying record.