Matt Crafton, a mainstay in the NASCAR Truck Series for over two decades, has spoken openly about his NASCAR future after a difficult season with ThorSport Racing. At 49 years old, Crafton revealed significant frustration and the possibility of shifting to a part-time racing schedule in the wake of his team’s recent struggles.
Veteran Driver Reflects on Demanding Season and Lingering Changes
With a stellar 26-year career, three Truck Series championships, and a respected position among drivers, Matt Crafton’s legacy speaks volumes. Yet this latest campaign, his 22nd consecutive with ThorSport Racing, marked a turning point. For the first time in over twenty years, Crafton failed to record a single top-five finish throughout the season. His best performance came at Michigan with a sixth-place result, and his most recent top-five run was back in 2024 at Bristol. These uncharacteristic results have left the veteran feeling both disappointment and a sense of urgency about the sport’s direction.
At the season finale held at Phoenix Raceway, Crafton placed 13th, capping off a year that saw neither him nor any of his ThorSport teammates claim a victory. Notably, Ty Majeski, one of the team’s younger drivers, earned his spot in the Championship 4 not through outright wins, but consistent points finishes. Majeski finished both the race and championship runner-up to Corey Heim, underscoring a winless stretch for the entire organization that Crafton labeled as a “sad state of affairs.” ThorSport, once celebrated for its dominance and six Truck Series titles, found itself struggling in an intensely competitive field.
Crafton’s Brutal Honesty Following a Challenging Campaign
Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Matt Crafton did not hold back his assessment of the year, focusing on the entire organization’s recent difficulties, but stopping short of blaming any individual within ThorSport Racing.
“It’s been pretty pathetic. The whole organisation has been really good this year. I don’t think we’ve won one race, the whole organisation. It sucks to see what it used to be and what it is right now. Hopefully I can still stay a part of it and try to make it better, because it’s been really, really sad to see. We used to win a lot more races and be a lot more competitive. I know that Duke and Ronda, they give us all the tools to do it. We just need to be able to make it better.”
– Matt Crafton, Driver
He emphasized the collective responsibility for their lack of success, while reiterating his appreciation for team owners Duke and Ronda Thorson. Crafton’s remarks offered a rare look into the emotional weight of continued underperformance for both himself and the broader team, Fortifying his stance as a passionate and intense competitor unwilling to sugarcoat reality.
Furthermore, Crafton voiced frustrations with the ongoing changes in NASCAR itself. He highlighted issues such as increased downforce on the trucks and diminished engine performance, expressing his belief that drivers’ feedback is not being fully heard by officials. These technical adjustments, in Crafton’s opinion, have negatively impacted the quality of racing and, ultimately, his own competitiveness within the series.
Deciding What Comes Next: Stepping Away from Full-Time Racing
The culmination of a taxing season and the grind of 26 years behind the wheel brought Crafton to a crossroads. At this stage of his career—and following such a tough year—he has decided it is time to step back from a full-time NASCAR Cup schedule. However, this is not a complete farewell. Crafton made it clear that there is a tentative plan for him to move into a part-time truck racing schedule in the future. He also mentioned an interest in spending more time with his family and possibly reigniting his passion through dirt track racing, which was where his competitive spirit first flourished.
These decisions mark a significant transition, not only for Crafton but for ThorSport Racing and the NASCAR Truck Series as a whole. His candid reflections underscore the emotional toll that extended careers in motorsport can bring, especially when coupled with evolving competitive landscapes and personal priorities.
Uncertain Times for ThorSport Racing’s Future Lineup
Crafton’s step back from full-time competition delivers a substantial blow to ThorSport Racing, which has relied heavily on his experience, leadership, and consistency. His teammate, Ty Majeski, is set to take over the iconic #88 truck position, though the future direction for the team’s other drivers, Jake Garcia and Ben Rhodes, remains unclear. Both Garcia and Rhodes have yet to secure new contracts and sponsors for the upcoming season, raising questions about the composition of ThorSport’s driver lineup as they regroup from a disappointing year.
Despite stepping aside from the championship spotlight, Crafton does not view this transitional period as a final goodbye. He still believes he can be competitive if given the right equipment, and he maintains deep ties to both ThorSport Racing and the sport’s fan base. The organization now faces the pressing task of rebuilding and reasserting itself among top teams, while seeking renewed momentum in the championship hunt.
Enduring Impact and What the Future Might Hold
Matt Crafton’s open admission about his NASCAR future illustrates just how demanding and unpredictable motorsport careers can be. For fans of Crafton and enthusiasts of the Truck Series, his continued participation on a part-time basis offers hope for more memorable moments ahead. In the broader context of NASCAR, the challenges faced by stalwarts like Crafton and teams such as ThorSport Racing reveal the constant evolution of the sport—one where technical regulations, team dynamics, and competitive balance are always shifting.
As Crafton steps into a new phase of his storied journey, the spotlight now turns to how ThorSport Racing will fill the void of experience he leaves behind, whether teammates like Ty Majeski can seize the opportunity, and how veteran voices like Crafton’s might influence the direction of NASCAR’s future rules and priorities. What is certain is that both the organization and the series will grapple with the implications for seasons to come, as fans continue to root for their favorite drivers and watch for the next chapter in motorsports history.
