Matt Crafton was born on June 11, 1976, in Tulare, California. He began racing go-karts at the age of seven, after receiving a kart as a kindergarten graduation gift. Crafton showed early talent, winning multiple national and regional karting championships. He transitioned to midget and mini sprint cars at age 15, where he accumulated twenty main event victories. Crafton’s early racing involvement followed his father, Danny Crafton, into late model racing. In 1996, Matt substituted for his injured father in the Featherlite Southwest Series and took over full-time in 1997.
Career
Crafton’s breakthrough came when he won the 2000 Featherlite Southwest Series championship with four wins, leading to his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the same year with ThorSport Racing. Since then, he has driven exclusively for ThorSport Racing (except in 2004) and became a cornerstone of the team.
Crafton earned his first Truck Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2008 after 178 starts—the longest wait before a first win in the series. He achieved three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships in 2013, 2014, and 2019, becoming the first back-to-back champion and one of the few multi-time champions in Truck Series history.
Holding the record for most consecutive Truck Series starts with 567 as of early 2025, Crafton has amassed 15 career Truck Series wins, 135 top-five finishes, 328 top-10 finishes, and 16 poles. Notable career highlights include multiple wins at tracks like Kansas, Texas, Kentucky, and Martinsville. He also holds the qualifying lap record at Martinsville Speedway for Trucks.
Crafton has made limited appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series, notably substituting for Kyle Busch in the 2015 Daytona 500 and making occasional starts in later years, including a replacement role in 2023.
Off-Track Ventures
Crafton plays a mentorship role within ThorSport Racing’s driver development program, assisting in developing younger talents. He has been involved in sponsorship and media engagements associated with his race team and endorses brands such as Menards. There is no widely publicized independent business venture or philanthropic work outside of his racing commitments documented as of now.
Net Worth
Matt Crafton’s estimated net worth is approximately $10 million.
Family Life
Matt Crafton is married to Lauren Crafton. They live together in Mooresville, North Carolina, with their two children: a daughter named Elladee and a son named Matthew. He follows a family racing tradition, as his father Danny Crafton was also a competitive race car driver.
Recent Controversies
There are no widely reported recent controversies involving Matt Crafton.
Key Highlights from Season 2024 and 2025
- 2024: Crafton competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving the No. 88 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing. While not matching his earlier peak successes, he maintained consistent performances and continued to add to his record consecutive start streak. He participated in all 2024 Truck Series events with multiple top-10 finishes.
- 1 August 2025: Crafton remains active and committed with ThorSport Racing, continuing to drive the No. 88 truck full-time. He holds the record for most consecutive Truck Series starts at 567 as of the 2025 season. Crafton remains a veteran presence and key competitor in the Truck Series entering his 25th full season.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Justin Crafton |
| Birth Place | Tulare, California, USA |
| Birth Date | June 11, 1976 |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Parents | Danny Crafton |
| Nationality | American |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Relationship/Spouse | Lauren Crafton |
| Children | Two (Elladee and Matthew) |
| Profession | Professional Stock Car Racing Driver |
| Team | ThorSport Racing (No. 88 Ford F-150) |
