Page 240 - 2019_NPPG_digital copy

MATT CRAFTON

Birth Date: August 12, 1993 Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Birth Date: June 11, 1976 Hometown: Tulare, CA
Team: No. 16 Toyota Tundra/Roush Fenway Racing
Team: No. 88 Ford F-150 / ThorSport Racing

Matt Crafton begins his 19th season of full-time competition in NASCAR’s
GANDER OUTDOORS Truck Series riding a series-record string of
430 consecutive starts, as one of only four multi-time champions in
the series’ history.

A year following ThorSports Racing’s switch from Toyota

to Ford, the 42-year-old driver is ready to make a
customary run toward another championship.

Sitting at the head table during the NASCAR
Awards Banquet has become so expected,
anything less is disappointing.
FEATURED DRIVERS “It’s not fun when you’re [sixth in points],”

Crafton said. “It’s not fun when you’re third, not
fun when you’re second. It’s fun when you win.
That’s what we do it for, is to win.”

His 430 career starts – all but the 25-race 2004 season
having been made in ThorSport Racing equipment – leads
the series by a wide margin and his 14 career victories is tops
among active, full-time competitors.

By Crafton’s standards, the 2018 season was a letdown. He failed
to win for the first time since 2012 and his No. 88 Ford F-150 only

led 69 laps. And yet, he used all of his skill and guile to qualify for the
NASCAR Playoffs. He made the first-round cut, but was eliminated
ahead of the Championship 4.

“It was one of the worst racing seasons I can remember,” he said.

Even if he didn’t win, he did come close. He finished second at spring
race at Dover and third at Kentucky.

240 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE