Matt Crafton

Matt Crafton won three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships -- in 2013, 2014, and 2019 -- and has recorded 16 career Truck victories across more than 500 starts, making him one of the most accomplished and enduring competitors in the history of the division. The Tulare, California native has been a fixture in the Truck Series for two decades, anchoring the ThorSport Racing organization through multiple championship campaigns. His back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 demonstrated a consistency that is the hallmark of true champions, as Crafton won through steady accumulation of points and clean finishes rather than flashy victory totals. His 2014 championship was won without a single race victory, a feat that speaks to the value of showing up prepared and finishing every race. Crafton's longevity with ThorSport Racing is one of the longest driver-team partnerships in any NASCAR series, a relationship built on mutual loyalty and a shared commitment to excellence. His knowledge of the Truck Series -- its tracks, its equipment, its competitors -- is encyclopedic, and his presence elevates the professionalism of the entire division. Three championships and 500-plus starts make Matt Crafton the elder statesman of the Truck Series. His career is proof that championships are not won solely through raw speed but through the daily commitment to preparation, consistency, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Written by Richard R. Glover, NASCAR Reference