| Sandusky, OH (July 29, 2014) – For the third time this year, Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Rip It Energy Fuel/Menards Toyota Tundra, is on the outside looking in on the chase for the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver championship heading into Saturday’s Pocono Mountains 150 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. The defending series champion now sits second, a mere two markers behind Ryan Blaney heading into the 11th race on the 2014 NCWTS schedule. As one of only two drivers to complete 100 percent of laps attempted at the “Tricky Triangle,” Crafton leads all NCWTS drivers with the most top-10 finishes (four) in the series’ four starts at the 2.5-mile track. “Mr. Consistency” is looking to capitalize on his solid record at the Long Pond, Pa. track, and get back where he belongs – at the top of the point standings following Saturday’s 60-lap shootout.
Sounding off – Matt Crafton: “Flat racetracks really suit my driving style, because you can move around and find speed. Even though Pocono has three distinctively different corners, and you have to compromise what you’re doing to the truck to suit it all the way around the racetrack, the flattest corner is the most critical. Turn 1 is really a typical oval-track corner, though you really have to have your truck working well because you carry so much speed off that long frontstretch. The Tunnel Turn is important because you carry a lot of speed through there and it can get your attention in a hurry — especially running in traffic.But Turn 3 is the big one, because you can’t overdrive the corner, you can’t get the truck bound up or too loose because that will cost you too much momentum getting down that long frontstretch, and over a run that can really cost you.”
Crafton’s Pocono Stats:
NCWTS Results at Pocono:
Matt Crafton 2014:
Crafton’s Career Truck Series Stats:
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| ABOUT MENARDS:
With 287 stores in 14 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.
ABOUT RIP IT ENERGY FUEL: With 15 awesome flavors to choose from, Rip It® is fueling the REAL needs and REAL tastes of energy drinkers everywhere. In an office, on the job, on a mountain, riding waves, doin’ flips, doin’ tricks, jammin’ all night, crammin’ all night, whatever your life calls for, Rip It® is there to fuel you. |
| ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport, which has run in the Truck Series since 1996, in 2014 will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by 2013 drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter and the No. 13 Estes Toyota Tundra driven by Jeb Burton in the Truck Series. |
