Matt Crafton’s NASCAR retirement closed a storied era as the three-time Truck Series champion delivered a frank assessment of the current racing landscape, following his last full-time race at Phoenix on October 31. Wrapping up his 22nd consecutive season without a top-five finish, Crafton expressed deep frustrations with the state of the series, spotlighting significant changes that have shaped his views about the sport and his role within it.
Crafton’s Final Season Falls Short of Expectations
Mired in what he deemed a disappointing farewell season, Matt Crafton finished 13th at Phoenix Raceway, capping the first year in over two decades without a single top-five result. The 49-year-old reflected on the struggles that marked both his final race and the overall campaign, making clear how difficult this transition felt after a decorated career.
“It was terrible we sucked as bad as we did tonight and we sucked as bad as we did all year,”
Crafton told Frontstretch after the race.
“There were some moments where we were decent this year, and we made some gains, [but] tonight was terrible.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
Despite the tough ending, Crafton fulfilled a personal ambition by sticking with the Truck Series throughout his career, choosing not to advance to the Xfinity or Cup Series. In earlier years, he showed unwavering enthusiasm for the division and once described his dedication in a way that still resonates with longtime fans.
“I’ve always said I’d be happy to stay in the Truck Series and end my career in the Truck Series because it’s just awesome racing,”
Crafton said in a 2017 interview.
“I truly, truly love it here. I’m out here to win races and do what I love to do, all while running up front.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
Years of Challenges and a Shift in the Competitive Field
Crafton’s competitiveness was challenged over the past three seasons, as he went winless while collecting only 21 top-ten finishes in that span. The 2025 season was particularly tough, yielding just five top-tens—his lowest mark since his sophomore year in 2002. Nevertheless, he made clear that he is not stepping away entirely, with plans to compete part-time though the schedule remains undecided.
The veteran driver expressed confidence in his ability to contend under the right circumstances, provided equipment and chassis variables level out the field. However, he voiced strong concerns that the current state of the Truck Series no longer rewards driver skill as it once did.
“I always said anywhere I use two feet, because a lot of these racetracks…”
Crafton continued.
“In all seriousness, I mean, you can put a monkey in there and they can drive them.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
He did not mince words about his disappointment in the Truck Series’ competitive balance. It’s pathetic.
Criticizing NASCAR’s Changes to Truck Racing
Having witnessed a quarter-century’s worth of technical and procedural adjustments, Crafton is outspoken about how NASCAR’s evolving rulebook has affected competition. He pointed out a significant increase in downforce combined with reduced horsepower, creating a racing environment he finds unsatisfying and limited in showcasing driver ability.
“What NASCAR has done to the Truck Series,”
he continued,
“Is they got too much downforce, not enough motor, and you try to talk to them about it – and I’ll probably get in trouble for it – but they just have their opinions on stuff.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
“It’s not really fun racing when you run around a mile-and-a-half, and most of the time you’re wide open. You really can’t make a difference [with driver skill] on some of the bigger racetracks. I mean, yeah, the driver can make a little bit of difference, but… you’re only as good as the stuff you’re sitting in.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
Continued Involvement with ThorSport Racing
Even with retirement from full-time racing, Crafton remains dedicated to his longtime team, ThorSport Racing. Having spent nearly his entire Truck Series career with the organization, he expects to stay involved to help the team improve for the future.
“Duke and Rhonda (Thorson, owners) are very loyal,”
Crafton explained.
“Duke’s always said we’re going to build it like a business and keep making it better and better… I think Duke wants to keep using me as a tool, and I think I can make it better.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
“I don’t know what we’ve done in the last few years and we have… we’ve made it worse. I’ve learned a lot and I feel like I know quite a bit on these race cars, and I think maybe me not doing it full time, I can add to it and figure out some of the problems that we’ve had and what’s made this program worse.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
What Lies Ahead for Crafton After Full-Time Racing
Looking beyond the NASCAR spotlight, Crafton intends to embrace part-time competition and focus on family and dirt racing, a move he hopes will reignite his passion for the sport.
“Just look forward and go race part-time and go enjoy the family,”
he explained.
“And go do some dirt racing and do the things that make you smile.”
— Matt Crafton, Driver
With a career spanning 592 Truck starts, three championships, and 15 career wins, Crafton exits the full-time ranks as a vocal critic but also as a valued resource for ThorSport Racing and an enduring figure in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Though the future of the series faces scrutiny from veterans like Crafton, his ongoing participation and honest commentary signal continued investment in shaping its direction.
