Matt Crafton, the only driver ever to win back-to-back NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series titles, is stepping back from his full-time role after a storied 25-year career, closing a chapter that began with racing alongside his father and grew into a legacy of championship excellence. As Crafton prepares for his final full-time start at Phoenix Raceway, his Matt Crafton Truck Series career is celebrated by fans, competitors, and colleagues alike for its remarkable achievements and lasting influence on the sport.
Early Influences and the Start of a Racing Journey
Crafton’s introduction to racing was rooted in family, as he spent invaluable hours with his father, Danny, during California‘s dynamic racing era. These early years, working on cars in his father’s shop and eventually driving in the NASCAR Southwest Series to fill in for Danny, shaped Crafton’s relentless approach and competitive spirit. The foundational lessons learned in this environment became the bedrock for a career that spanned nearly three decades and countless changes within the sport.
Reflecting on these formative experiences, Crafton credited his father with instilling the work ethic and passion that propelled him forward. This dedication was visible not only in his approach to racing but also in his drive to succeed in an increasingly competitive series.
Record-Setting Accomplishments and Historic Milestones
Crafton’s resume is unrivaled in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With 591 starts—of which 590 were consecutive, setting a series record unlikely to be surpassed—he amassed 15 race wins, 16 pole positions, and a staggering 333 top-10 finishes, a testament to his racecraft and consistency. His 135 top-five finishes represent 23% of all his races, highlighting his steady presence at the front of the pack throughout his career.
The key highlight of his career remains his three championships: consecutive titles in 2013 and 2014, followed by a third in 2019. His ability to adapt to evolving championship formats and changing fields of competitors demonstrated Crafton’s persistence and race intelligence, hallmarks that have kept him competitive across eras. He spent all but one season with the multi-championship ThorSport Racing team, where his legacy includes not only personal success but also mentoring teammates toward their own achievements.
A Reputation Built on Grit and Emotion
Crafton’s racing identity is deeply tied to the drive and emotion he brings to the track each week. He has been forthright about the tenacity required to succeed at the highest levels, often displaying the passion that set him apart from his peers.
I haven’t had it handed to me, I had to work for it,
Crafton once shared, speaking to the discipline and sacrifices underpinning his accomplishments. His fiery dedication occasionally caught the attention of NASCAR officials, a reflection of his belief that true competitors should never lose their edge.
He pointed to other celebrated racers—Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt, Kurt and Kyle Busch—as peers who, like him, fought their way from grassroots beginnings.
If you go back and look at Kevin Harvick or Kurt and Kyle Busch or Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt, everybody who has had to work for it from the grassroots, to fight and claw, you’re naturally going to carry more emotion.
Impact on Competitors and the Next Generation
The influence of Matt Crafton has been felt not only among his contemporaries but especially by younger racers following in his wheel tracks. 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, who twice finished runner-up to Crafton, openly acknowledged the lessons he learned racing against him.
Both years I was in the series, he won the championship and waxed our butts,
Blaney said, recalling his early days in the truck series. The camaraderie between competitors extended off the track, where Crafton was known for his willingness to share advice and support with rookies who sought his guidance. Blaney added,
He’s a great competitor and it was cool getting to know him. The only unfortunate part was he kicked my butt the two years I was in the trucks.
Fellow competitor Christopher Bell, who had to overcome Crafton to win his own championship, credited him for supporting high standards and accountability within the sport.
I’m just grateful that Matt invested so much of his life into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and its veterans like him that make the Truck Series credible,
Bell noted, emphasizing the importance of Crafton’s leadership and influence within the series. Bell continued,
He helped hold young drivers accountable, myself included,
and praised the competitive environment Crafton maintained, concluding,
He’s a veteran and you need people like that in those series and I have a ton of respect for him and what he’s done. He raced everybody hard, that’s for sure, but it’s that level of accountability that made you better.
Mentorship and Team Contributions
Crafton was more than just a fierce competitor; his presence in the garage and among the ThorSport Racing team left a deep impact. Ben Rhodes, a two-time series champion and teammate at ThorSport, looked up to Crafton’s wisdom and strategic racing style.
Everybody needs to know that Matt Crafton has always been a really, really fierce competitor and he’s wise in the truck,
Rhodes remarked, underscoring the lessons learned from observing Crafton’s risk management. Rhodes recalled,
‘Race smarter not harder,’ he always said that to me,
expressing appreciation for the veteran’s approach to both competition and mentorship.
Edgar Riley, who served as Crafton’s front tire carrier for nearly a decade, shared similar sentiments about the opportunities and memories forged alongside Crafton.
We shared so many great memories together, including two wins, one being his very first. I’ll always be grateful for what Matt has done for me and for this organization throughout his full-time career.
Riley’s gratitude echoed throughout the ThorSport garage, marking Crafton’s influence as a team leader beyond simply his on-track results.
Legacy and Future Plans
As Crafton wraps up his full-time commitment, he remains open to making occasional starts in the future, steadfastly avoiding the term “retirement” as he looks ahead. Hall of Fame consideration seems inevitable given his contributions, though Crafton remains humble about the prospect.
Let the cards fall and we’ll see what happens,
he said of potential induction, before adding,
Just happy to do what I get to do and happy to do what I’ve done.
With a genuine sense of gratitude, he reflected,
Not many people can say they got to do what they love to do,
continuing,
I’ve been blessed to do what I get to do.
His journey—from wrenching with his father in California to celebrating championships with ThorSport Racing at venues like Phoenix Raceway—embodies the spirit of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In leaving his full-time seat, Matt Crafton ensures his impact on the sport will endure, with a reputation for resilience, mentorship, and competitive excellence that will inspire future generations of drivers, teams, and fans alike.
