Matt Crafton, No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Toyota Tundra
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Martinsville Speedway – Alpha Energy Solutions 250
Race No. 3 of 23
Team Information:
Started: 10th
Finished: 7th
Laps: 255/255
Status: Running
Driver Points: 11th
Owner Points: 11th
Matt Crafton Race Recap:
The No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Toyota Tundra driver started 10th and finished seventh in Saturday’sAlpha Energy Solutions 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Making his 29th career start at the “paperclip,” the two-time Martinsville Speedway winner complained of losing lateral grip on the throttle in the early running of the event, but maintained a position inside the top-10, running as high as second. Opting to stay out under the second caution of the event, when most of the front runners pitted for tires, Crafton lost ground during the ensuing long green-flag run, and was scored 12th when the yellow flag flew at lap 135. Crew chief Carl “Junior” Joiner brought the No. 88 machine to pit road for four tires and fuel under the caution. Restarting 16th, Crafton once again worked his way into the top-two before coming to pit road for the final time on lap 201 for a scheduled stop. Restarting 17th, with less than 50 laps remaining, Crafton was able to stay out of trouble through the final five caution periods, which also included two red flags, but a lack of green-flag racing hindered the two-time champion’s chance to race for the win, finishing seventh in the race extended 255-lap event. The top-10 result was Crafton’s 17th top-10 finish at the .529-mile track.
Quote:
“It was about survival today, and I think we had a truck that could have contended for a win. I just tried to pace myself throughout the race, and I think we could have possibly run with Kyle (Busch) – we definitely could have run second or third, worst case, but we came in and pitted right there and just didn’t have enough time to get back through the field with all the cautions. All in all, it was a decent day for this Menards Toyota team.”
Notes:
- The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series had three practice sessions on Fridayafternoon in preparation for Saturday’s Alpha Energy Solutions 250. Matt Crafton was 7th, 7th and 19th, respectively
- Crafton started 10th and finished seventh in the 255-lap event, his 17th top-10 finish at the .529-mile track
- In 29 starts at Martinsville Speedway since 2001, Crafton has led 279 laps en route to two wins, eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes
- In 2016, Crafton has led 81 laps en route to one top-10 finish
- In 364 career NCWTS starts, Crafton has 12 poles, 11 wins, 89 top-five and 212 top-10 finishes
- Crafton’s ThorSport Racing teammates finished ninth (Hayley), 10th (Abreu), and 16th (Rhodes)
- Up next: The Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway on Friday, May 6
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. For more information visit www.Menards.com
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 Racing, 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. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra driven by Cameron Hayley, the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Toyota Tundra driven by Ben Rhodes, and the No. 98 Safelite/CURB Records Toyota Tundra driven by Rico Abreu in 2016. For more information visit www.ThorSport.com
