1. 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. During the race, he had this meltdown. On May 8, he used fuel strategy to win at Kansas after multiple other top five Trucks ran out in the closing laps, winning a second race at one track for the first time in his career. Grant Enfinger has already left the team to join GMS Racing, but Johnny Sauters future remains in question. This is Erica Dewey | 46 full-time in 1997. Collect, curate and comment on your files. * Most laps led. (Matt Freed/AP) PITTSBURGH After five seasons, Lance White's tenure as the head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of . Crafton practiced and qualified for Menard at the Auto Club 400, qualifying 30th. Over four years later, he made his second Cup start in the 2019 First Data 500 at Martinsville in the No. He finished 2nd at Homestead to Austin Hill and 2 spots ahead of Ross Chastain to claim his 3rd career Truck Series Championship. 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 26th race as his crew chief. 36 of Front Row Motorsports after Matt Tifft was hospitalized with a health problem.[20]. In 2012, after the team had moved from Chevrolet to Toyota, he had a decent season, finishing 6th in points. During the race, he was forced to operate the truck with a two-wheel drive due to problems with his trucks differential. Matt Crafton will kick off the 2023 Craftsman Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway. 88 for ThorSport full-time with sponsorship from Fast Track Delivery Sealer and XE Sighting System. On February 28, 2015, Crafton scored his sixth career Truck victory in the revived Atlanta race. He will also have associate partners in Ideal Door, Mold-Armor, Jack Links, Chi-Chis, Black Label Bacon, Great Lakes Flooring, Generac, Flex Seal, Paslode, Slim Jim, Planters, and Denali Aire. His success in the Featherlite Southwest Series that season led to the invitation to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for ThorSport Racing. Las Vegas. Hailie Deegan will join ThorSport Racing after two full seasons at David Gilliland Racing now Tricon Garage. He will use the race to continue a historic partnership with Menards. In 2004, Crafton signed on to drive the No. The driver of the No. The part-time driver made 10 starts for the organization in the No. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. On May 13, 2016, Crafton scored his twelfth career Truck victory at Dover. [6], In 2021, Crafton went winless again, but made the Championship 4, benefited by late-race chaos at Martinsville. The success weve had both off and on the track with Matt Crafton and ThorSport has proven to be legendary. 2023 Getty Images. 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. Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, since the car was sponsored by Menards (which he drives in the Truck series). There is no question Matt Crafton is the most famous & most loved celebrity of all the time. "Is that cool or what?" 29 at the Brickyard 400, but failed to qualify. On March 30, 2014, Crafton scored his fourth career Truck win at Martinsville. Menard eventually ran the first stage before Crafton relieved him for the remainder of the race; he was involved in a multi-car wreck on lap 163 but finished 14th. He sits in a tie with Sprague while Hornaday tops the list with four Truck Series championships. Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. ThorSport Racing has the expectation that returning to the welcoming arms of Ford Performance will only lead to more wins and another potential championship trophy. Joiner said last week, shaking his head and smiling -- coincidentally even as his wife walked around the corner of the finish fabrication area carrying their infant son. 10, 1981 and has two brothers and a sister. Matt Crafton will kick off the 2023 Craftsman Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Katie and Matt Kenseth both come from Cambridge, Wisconsin. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. ), * Season still in progress1 Ineligible for series points, "With Homestead start, Matt Crafton clinches Trucks title", "Matt Crafton Wins NASCAR Truck Series Championship", "Matt Crafton Wins Rain Delayed Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway", "NASCAR truck race marred by two crashes; no injuries reported", "Matt Crafton holds off Eckes to win at Kansas Speedway | NASCAR", "ThorSport's Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes Just Miss Out on Championship 4", "Richard Childress Racing cars top the charts at Preseason Thunder", "AUSTIN DILLON SETS PACE AT PRESEASON THUNDER", "Report: Matt Crafton on standby this weekend for Paul Menard in Las Vegas", "Matt Kenseth wins pole for Auto Club 400 at Fontana", "Matt Crafton on standby to relieve Paul Menard at Talladega", "Rain Gives Team An Additional Day To Strategize At Talladega", "Ryan Blaney wins rain-postponed 1000Bulbs.com 500 in photo finish", "Kevin Harvick wins 4th pole of 2014, sets Brickyard 400 track record", "MATT CRAFTON TO SUB FOR KYLE BUSCH IN DAYTONA 500", "Tifft released from hospital; Crafton to drive Front Row No. 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: The easiest way to think about it is to consider a wine cellar as a separate, temperature-controlled space just like a home office or guest house. During the race, he was forced to operate the truck with a two-wheel drive due to problems with his truck's differential. The birth of the Craftons' first child had them overflowing with anticipation. 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. They were friends at first but after hanging out for a few months (and Matt became available) they took a shot at a relationship. Crafton was born in Tulare, California. He crashed out at Gateway for the second year in a row after tangling with John Hunter Nemechek, and a few weeks later crashed out at Pocono after getting hit by Brad Keselowski. Early career [ edit] Crafton was born in Tulare, California. 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). Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton said of his daughter's birth 10 days ago, on April 26. It was his 178th start, the record for most starts a driver has had before getting his first win in the Truck Series. Mike Skinner and Jack Sprague both have 28 victories while Craftons teammate in Johnny Sauter has 24. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. She will drive the No. 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. 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 26th race as his crew chief. Top 3 Results for Matt Crafton. (51) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 178. . Junior fans get a (non)response from this Kasey Kahne is gay, so says the scribbler of this NASCAR: Can female drivers be competitive in this? Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. 2023 Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia, Paul Culpin Wiki, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Family, Instagram, Twitter, Social Profiles & More Facts, Jason Craft Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Keren Craig (Fashion Designer) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth. 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. [12] At Talladega's 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500, he was on standby for Menard's No. He won his third career race at Kansas in April. Crafton earned 11 top 10s before finishing 11th in points in 2003. He won his third career race at Kansas in April. * Most laps led. The win moved him into the top five in points for 2008. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton. Crafton set the record on October 29, 2011, with a qualifying lap of 19.653 seconds (96.352mph). 5 cpk_diecast To be able to have NASCARs longest-running partnership with a driver and team says it all!. Picture taken on Nov 14, 2014 in the United States. Chief among them is the return to Ford Performance after multiple seasons featuring a partnership with Toyota Racing Development. Menards first joined as an associate sponsor in 2002 and that season he earned six top-tens and finished fifteenth in points. He is also the first driver to win two Truck races at Kansas. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. He finished in the top ten in the first sixteen races of the season, and 19 overall, with a worst finish of 21st in the season finale at Homestead. "I told you that was a magic number. Elladee's birth on April 26th was icing on the cake for Joiner. He will become the only driver to reach 500 career starts. Embed Save DETAILS Restrictions: All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. When Matt called and told me it was 'go time,' I told him it was the 26th -- what else did he expect? Image courtesy of racefans.net WWW tallglassofmilk, This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from. ThorSport Racing confirmed Craftons return, Joe Gibbs Racing Can Reach a Major Milestone in 2022. Matt met Jocelyn Janusiewicz in his hometown of Tulare, Calif., in March of 1999. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 46 entry for the final three races of the season. Matt met Jocelyn Janusiewicz in his hometown of Tulare, Calif., in March of 1999. 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. On February 28, 2015, Crafton scored his sixth career Truck victory in the revived Atlanta race. He is also the first driver to win two Truck races at Kansas. Getty He finished 2nd at Homestead to Austin Hill and 2 spots ahead of Ross Chastain to claim his 3rd career Truck Series Championship. On June 5, he won at Texas, successfully defending his win from the year before, another career first. ", 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?" Learn How rich is He in [] He is also the first driver to win two Truck races at Kansas. Although Crafton still won no races throughout 2019, he made his 2nd-ever Championship 4 appearance. 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. Personal touch and engage with his followers. Todd Bodine (22), Dennis Setzer (18), Greg Biffle (17), and Ted Musgrave (17) are the other drivers ahead of Crafton. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. The only exception is the 2004 season when he drove for Kevin Harvicks team with GM Goodwrench as his primary partner on the No. The team says it will become the longest driver | sponsor relationship in #NASCAR surpassing Richard Petty and STP. [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. Joiner said last week, shaking his head and smiling -- coincidentally even as his wife walked around the corner of the finish fabrication area carrying their infant son. 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. Get to know Matt Crafton Hometown: Tulare, CA | Birthdate: June 11, 1976 | Residence: Mooresville, NC Wife: Lauren Crafton | Children: Daughter - Elladee, Son - Matthew Crafton began his racing career in go-karts and mini sprints before following his father, Danny Crafton, who had his own legacy on the West Coast, into late models. 2013 was Crafton's best season in his career to date. Before turning to NASCAR racing in 2000, he raced go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints. [23], Crafton raced in the 2014 and 2015 IWK 250 pro stock races at Riverside International Speedway in support of the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is from United States. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Picture taken on Nov 14, 2014 in the United States. (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. He also made his Nationwide debut that year, running the No. Throughout 22 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Crafton has reached several milestones and broken records, both individually and with his team: In 2012, Crafton, supported by Travis Pastrana, competed in the TORC: The Off-Road Championship series' PRO 2WD truck race at Chicagoland, finishing third. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet twice in 2014; first at January Daytona testing after a pipe burst in Menards house, and Crafton was third fastest with a speed of 194.342 miles per hour (312.763km/h). Would love your thoughts, please comment. In 2012, Crafton, supported by Travis Pastrana, competed in the TORC: The Off-Road Championship series PRO 2WD truck race at Chicagoland, finishing third. Matt Crafton will make his 500th start, making history once again in the process. 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. They are the only two drivers with more than 30 wins in the Truck Series. 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. After four full-time seasons in the Featherlite Southwest Series, Crafton won the championship in 2000 on the strength of four wins that year. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. In this case however, the guests prefer a consistent temperature in the 58F-68F range year round. While he has the most Truck Series starts by far, Crafton is not at the top of the list in terms of wins. Crafton was called in to substitute for Menard's No. In 2007, he improved to eighth in points and posted ten top-ten finishes for the third consecutive season. Discover Matt Crafton's Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 46 full-time in 1997. They were friends at first but after hanging out for a few months (and Matt became available) they took a shot at a relationship. "I'm proud of Matt and Ashley, and I know they'll raise her to be a good little girl," Joiner said. For the first time since 2012, Crafton went winless in 2018 with a seasons best finish of 2nd at the fifth race of the season at Dover and went on to finish 6th in the final point standings despite being eliminated after the Round of 6. When Danny was injured with three races left in the 1996 season, he selected his son as his substitute. 88 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing. You can find out how much net worth Matt has this year and how he spent his expenses. Eight days later, he scored his second career victory at Charlotte, marking the first back-to-back victories in his career. 18 after Busch suffered a compound leg fracture in the previous days Xfinity Series race. He performed well in all 3 races, finishing 3rd at both Kentucky races and 10th at Chicagoland.[2]. Despite finishing last of the final 4 drivers at Homestead, Crafton wound up with his 16th top-ten finish of 2017. 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. "I wish I could tell you when (the routine) might level off," Crafton said. Along with the wins, Crafton has celebrated three Truck Series championships with Menards. "I told you that was a magic number. 46 to allow his son to take over. GettyMatt Crafton watches qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway. Matt Crafton pilots the No. Who Is Matt Crafton's Wife? Crafton is the only Truck Series driver to make 400 starts, and he will become the only one to reach 500. No commercial uses without permission. At 46 years old, Matt Crafton height Despite strong statistics in 2004, he was released from KHI and returned to ThorSport for the 2005 season, where he won his first career pole at New Hampshire International Speedway, earning two top fives and 10 top 10s and finishing ninth in the standings. It was also the first time he led more than 100 laps in a race. Before turning to NASCAR racing in 2000, he raced go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints. Joiner said last week, shaking his head and smiling -- coincidentally even as his wife walked around the corner of the finish fabrication area carrying their infant son. Crafton ran his first Cup race in the 2015 Daytona 500, substituting for Kyle Busch in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. About Matt Crafton In 2014, Crafton drove his way into the NASCAR history books becoming the first NCWTS back-to-back champion, winning titles in 2013 and 2014. His fourth win of the season came at Kentucky after the race was cut short due to damage to the catchfence from Ben Kennedy's crash. His success in the Featherlite Southwest Series that season led to the invitation to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for ThorSport Racing. However, they both fell short of the ultimate goal while Zane Smith delivered a title to Front Row Motorsports. Matt is gaining More popularity of his Profession on Twitter these days. He is a member of famous Driver with the age 46 years old group. In March, with Menard on paternity leave, he was on stand-by to relief drive for Paul Menard at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt 400, due to Menard and his wife expecting their first child. ", 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?" He posted a best finish of third place in two races, and with six top fives and 17 top 10s, he ended the season fifth in the final standings. Eight days later, he scored his second career victory at Charlotte, marking the first back-to-back victories in his career. In March, with Menard on paternity leave, he was on stand-by to relief drive for Paul Menard at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt 400, due to Menard and his wife expecting their first child. [25] In 2015 Crafton started third and quickly made his way to the front of the pack before retiring from the race with brake failure, ultimately finishing 21st. 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. Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. 27.5k Followers, 766 Following, 344 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Matt Crafton (@matt_crafton) Before turning to NASCAR racing in 2000, he raced go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints. Because of Crafton's sponsorship with Menards, he has made spot duty with Menards' Cup teams, including taking over for Paul Menard on occasion. You may know Matt Crafton, driver of the No. He also made his Nationwide debut that year, running the No. During the NC Education Lottery 200, Matt Crafton had a horrible day and finished in the back half of the field. Matt Crafton was born on 11 June, 1976 in Tulare, California, United States, is an American stock car racing driver. On July 19, he scored his fourteenth career victory at Eldora. has a passion for music, NASCAR, the internet & all things pop culture, as well as an insatiable appetite for news and random information. 36 of Front Row Motorsports after Matt Tifft was hospitalized with a health problem. In 2001, he piloted the No. Attached image ( Imgur rehost ) Support NASCARonReddit, an automated bot maintained by XFile345. Matt Crafton rumors, news and videos from the best sources on the web. The Tulare, California native holds the record for the most consecutive starts in Camping World Truck Series history with 498 starts ahead of the 2022 season. Crafton has three Truck Series championships to his name (2013, 2014, 2019). Copyright 2010 - 2023 STS Motorsports Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rhodes, Crafton, and Sauter finished right behind him during the playoff race to cap off a historic night for the organization. [10] Crafton practiced and qualified for Menard at the Auto Club 400,[11] qualifying 30th. She has also done commercials and voice over work and has participated in several modeling and acting workshops. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. 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. Matt Crafton's net worth However, four DNFs (Did Not Finish) due to engine failures, mechanical issues and accidents caused by other competitors led to only five top fives and 13 top 10s, ultimately relegating Crafton to eighth in the final standings. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, since the car was sponsored by Menards (which he drives in the Truck series). [5] That was his only win of the season. They were married in Shoreline Park on Lake Erie on Oct. 25, 2002. Posted by tallglassofmilk on November 13, 2005 in Jocelyn Crafton, NASCAR, NASCAR Wives and Girlfriends | Permalink. He will return to ThorSport Racing and the No. 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. Crafton did not make the playoffs easily in 2022, as he had to hold off Derek Kraus for the final spot, which he succeeded at doing. Crafton began his racing career in go-karts and mini sprints before following his father, Danny Crafton, who had his own legacy on the West Coast, into late models. Grandpa's looking out for us this year, (26) was his number, it was the day I was born and my dad's number when he drove, so it was all pretty neat.".