Sandusky, Ohio (February 24, 2015) – For the first time in two years, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) will head back to Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway (AMS) for the 14th annual Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Matt Crafton, who will pilot the No. 88 Fisher® Nuts/Menards Toyota Tundra, has raced in every NCWTS event at the 1.54-mile quad oval. In fact, the ThorSport Racing driver has the most starts (13), has completed the most laps (1622), and has more lead lap finishes (10) than any other driver entered in the 14th annual event – a combination that could land the two-time champion in victory lane at his favorite race track on Saturday.
Sounding off – Matt Crafton:
“I say over and over again that Atlanta is by far my favorite track. It’s so fast, the banking is high, you can hold it wide open and the tires really wear, so you slide around the track. It’s got multiple grooves so you can run two and three-wide. I love the fact that you can drive anywhere from the white line up to the wall. It’s a fun place to race, hands down my favorite.”
News & Notes:
- Chassis Chatter… The No. 88 team will utilize chassis No. 48 this weekend at AMS. It’s most recent appearance was in the 2014 NCWTS finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, where Crafton started sixth and finished ninth.
- Calling the Shots… Carl “Junior” Joiner enters his fourth season as crew chief for Matt Crafton and the No. 88 team. The California native has 67 career NCWTS starts to his resume, including one start with Matt Crafton at AMS in 2012. The duo started 10th and finished ninth.
- Fisher Nuts… Fisher® Nuts will make its 2015 debut with Matt Crafton on board the No. 88 Toyota Tundra at AMS. Fisher® Nuts is a brand owned by John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (NASDAQ: JBSS), a company founded in 1922 that’s a leading processor, marketer and distributor of baking nuts, snack nuts and nut-based products that are sold in multiple distribution channels. Its products can be found under the Fisher®, Orchard Valley Harvest™ and Sunshine Country® brand names and a variety of private labels.
- Previous Race Recap… Crafton started the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway from the 31st position, led one lap, and finished eighth.
Crafton’s NCWTS stats at Atlanta Motor Speedway::
- 13 starts since 2001
- 0 wins
- Three top-five finishes
- Seven top-10 finishes
- 1622 of 1703 laps completed (95.2%)
- 10 laps led (2010)
- Best start: 3rd (2010)
- Best finish: 3rd (2010)
- Average start: 15.1
- Average finish: 12.2
Matt Crafton’s 2014 Highlights:
- Won second consecutive NCWTS championship title to become the first driver in series history to win back-to-back titles
- First career multi-win season with victories at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth
- 10th consecutive full season in second stint with ThorSport Racing
- Earned a series-leading 7.0 average finish
- Career-best 13 top-five finishes and 298 laps led
Crafton’s Career Truck Series Stats:
- 339 starts since 2000
- Five wins
- 76 top-five finishes
- 193 top-10 finishes
- Seven poles
- 52,803 laps completed
- 919 laps led
- Average start: 13.4
- Average finish: 11.7
Race Information:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Track Details: 1.54-mile quad oval
Distance: 130 laps/200.2 miles
Practice: 2:30 p.m. ET/Friday, Feb. 27, FOX Sports 1
Qualifying: 10:30 a.m. ET/Saturday, Feb. 28, FOX Sports 1
Team Website: www.ThorSport.com
Driver Website: www.MattCrafton.com
Sponsor Website: www.Menards.com www.FisherNuts.com
Social Media: @ThorSportRacing, @Matt_Crafton
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 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 competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter, and the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Cameron Hayley in 2015.
