NCWTS: CRAFTON’S “CRAFT” CAN HELP DETERMINE HIS “FATE” IN TALLADEGA

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Talladega Superspeedway – fred’s 250 powered by Coca-Cola

Race No. 19 of 23

2015 Driver Point Standings: 2nd (-4)

2015 Owner Point Standings: 2nd

Crew Chief: Carl “Junior” Joiner

Sandusky, Ohio (October 20, 2015) – Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Hormel Pepperoni/Menards Toyota Tundra, enters the 19th race on the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) schedule at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway second in the driver point standings, a mere four points behind current leader, Erik Jones. In fact, the two-time and defending series champion has gained six points on the leader in the last two races, and with only five races remaining on the 2015 schedule, a consistent Crafton looks to keep his “Craft” in tact for Saturday’s 10th annual fred’s 250 at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

Although, “Consistent Crafton” considers success on Talladega’s high-speed, high-banked track a matter of “fate,” the seasoned veteran hopes his craft will out-draft the competition in Saturday’s 94-lap event. Crafton, who has produced a season-best four wins in 2015, coupled with nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, is the only active series driver to compete in all nine NCWTS races at Talladega Superspeedway. Furthermore, the ThorSport Racing driver holds the record for most laps completed (793), and has the most lead lap finishes (8) at the Alabama track. If consistency and experience win races, count on Crafton to be a contender for victory lane on Saturday.

“Talladega is definitely an exciting race, without a doubt. It’s just a crapshoot though, you just never know what will happen there. It’s just hard racing. You can’t drive in the corners any deeper, and you can’t pick the throttle up any sooner to get away from someone. You’re stuck, three-wide, even four-wide, and you can’t do anything about it. Your fate is in everyone else’s hands and that’s a helpless feeling for a driver. It puts on a good show though.”

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1

Track Details: 2.66-mile superspeedway

Distance: 94 laps/250.04 miles

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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.

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.