He clinched his first Truck Series championship with his start in that race, and was able to stay on the lead lap despite late crash damage to become the first driver to complete every lap of the season in the Truck Series. Her family moved around a lot and finally settled in Tulare, Calif. An aspiring model and performer from an early age, Jocelyn's first role was as Goldilocks in the fifth grade and in the sixth, she was first runner up in a local "Model of the Year" contest. He and his wife, Krist, have four children. When Matt called and told me it was 'go time,' I told him it was the 26, "The only thing that would've been cooler would have been if my son was born on December 26. Picture taken on Nov 14, 2014 in the United States. GettyTruck Series drivers race at World Wide Technology Raceway. 2013 was Craftons best season in his career to date. [15][16], In 2014, he attempted to make his Cup Series debut with RAB Racing in the No. Matt Crafton's income source is mostly from being a successful Driver. "Is that cool or what?" He went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 before adding his third title in 2019. He is from United States. He finished 18th after starting 43rd. NEWS: @Matt_Crafton, #ThorSportRacing, and @MenardsRacing will commemorate a 20-year partnership on Friday, February 17 at @DAYTONA marking the longest driver/sponsor relationship in #NASCAR surpassing Richard Petty and STP. And although she was too young for him growing up, she has apparently said that she had a crush on him. Empire Racing Wishing Team Manager a Speedy Recovery, Trimmer Assist Edging Out the Competition in Partnership with Max Gresham , Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate results from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Alsco Uniforms 300 starting lineup at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Just In Time Staffing Partners with ThorSport Racing, Hendrick Motorsports statement - Chase Elliott, Perris Auto Speedway Promoter Don Kazarian on the Radio Sunday. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton said of his daughter's birth 10 days ago, on April 26. However, Crafton struggled more noticeably with consistency than in the previous two seasons. Las Vegas. 46 full-time in 1997. NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts Lineup. After this win, Crafton picked up the points lead and held it for the rest of the season. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 44 years old? In 2001, he piloted the No. (Matt Freed/AP) PITTSBURGH After five seasons, Lance White's tenure as the head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of . 2023 Getty Images. There is no question Matt Crafton is the most famous & most loved celebrity of all the time. His success in the Featherlite Southwest Series that season led to the invitation to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for SealMaster Racing. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton. 88 after finishing fourth in points in 2021. In 2006, he had four top-five finishes, 10 top-10 finishes and finished fourteenth in points. Crafton scored his fifth victory of the season at Martinsville on October 31, marking his second win at Martinsville, and the deepest into the season he had ever won a race to that point. "The only thing that would've been cooler would have been if my son was born on December 26th, but that's all right. Later in the year, he returned to the Childress Cup paddock, qualifying the No. The success weve had both off and on the track with Matt Crafton and ThorSport has proven to be legendary. He posted a best finish of third place in two races, and with six top fives and 17 top 10s, he ended the season fifth in the final standings. However, they both fell short of the ultimate goal while Zane Smith delivered a title to Front Row Motorsports. | This is Marisa Miller . Back at the ThorSport Racing shops in Sandusky, Crafton's crew chief "Junior" Joiner grinned even wider than normal, recently, when he thought about the circumstances of Elladee's birth. Matt Crafton will kick off the 2023 Craftsman Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway. In 2007, he improved to eighth in points and posted ten top-ten finishes for the third consecutive season. Copyright 2010 - 2023 STS Motorsports Inc. All Rights Reserved. Matt Crafton was born on 11 June, 1976 in Tulare, California, United States, is an American stock car racing driver. In 2009, although he did not win a race that season, Crafton scored two poles (Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway), 11 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes, ultimately finishing second in the point standings behind champion Ron Hornaday. Matt Crafton will kick off the 2023 Craftsman Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway. Thorson also confirmed that the championship-winning team will have four trucks during the season, but she did not provide information about the other two drivers. 46 to allow his son to take over. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' championship leader Matt Crafton has some serious work to do between now and May 16, the opening day of practice for the next series race, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Rogers, serves on several local nonprofit boards, and retired from the Air Force Reserve at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 13 Ford F-150 while getting into the best equipment of her Craftsman Truck Series career. "I wish I could tell you when (the routine) might level off," Crafton said. Later that season, Crafton filled in for Robby Gordon in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Homestead because Gordon was at the final off-road race of the season. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Matt started his career as a civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force where he managed the design and construction of many projects for Air Force missions around the world, serving in both Operation DESERT STORM and Operation RESTORE HOPE (Somalia). 18 after Busch suffered a compound leg fracture in the previous day's Xfinity Series race. In 2014, he attempted to make his Cup Series debut with RAB Racing in the No. Who Is Matt Crafton's Wife? has a passion for music, NASCAR, the internet & all things pop culture, as well as an insatiable appetite for news and random information. At Talladega's 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500, he was on standby for Menard's No. The win moved him into the top five in points for 2008. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, since the car was sponsored by Menards (which he drives in the Truck series). Elladee's birth on April 26th was icing on the cake for Joiner. 50 Ashley Crafton Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 50 Ashley Crafton Premium High Res Photos Browse 50 ashley crafton stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Matt Crafton Race Car Driver #155422 Most Popular Boost Birthday June 11, 1976 Birthplace California Age 46 years old Birth Sign Gemini About American race car driver who began his NASCAR career in 2000. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing, since the car was sponsored by Menards (which he drives in the Truck series). He is a three-time champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2013, 2014, 2019), in which he competes full-time, driving the No. , money, salary, income, and assets. Matt Crafton Celebrates Historic NASCAR Season in 2023, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. [9] In March, with Menard on paternity leave, he was on stand-by to relief drive for Paul Menard at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt 400, due to Menard and his wife expecting their first child. Jennifer Menard remained in North Carolina . Matt Crafton rumors, news and videos from the best sources on the web. 29 at the Brickyard 400, but failed to qualify. He had eleven top-tens and finished twelfth in the championship standings, third behind Ricky Hendrick and Travis Kvapil for Rookie of the Year. Matt Crafton is an American professional stock car racing driver. While he has the most Truck Series starts by far, Crafton is not at the top of the list in terms of wins. For the first time since 2012, Crafton went winless in 2018 with a seasons best finish of 2nd at the fifth race of the season at Dover and went on to finish 6th in the final point standings despite being eliminated after the Round of 6. The 2023 season will. "Everybody tells you how it feels, how you're going to feel and how much you'll love having a child of your own," Crafton said. Personal touch and engage with his followers. He will use the race to continue a historic partnership with Menards. During the NC Education Lottery 200, Matt Crafton had a horrible day and finished in the back half of the field. He crashed out at Gateway for the second year in a row after tangling with John Hunter Nemechek, and a few weeks later crashed out at Pocono after getting hit by Brad Keselowski. He would add one more win in the season finale at Homestead-Miami, marking his first career victory from the pole; his season total of six wins are more than in his entire career before 2015. 46 entry for the final three races of the season. He will become the only driver to reach 500 career starts. He is a three-time champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ( 2013, 2014, 2019 ), in which he competes full-time, driving the No. Please enable JavaScript if you would like to comment on this blog. Would love your thoughts, please comment. In the 2017 NextEra Energy Resources 250, while leading on the final lap, Crafton was caught in a late race incident and was clipped by Ben Rhodes; the contact turned his truck, sent it airborne into a flip, before landing on its wheels. Kyle Busch holds the top spot with 61 total wins while Hornaday is second with 51. 88 for ThorSport full-time with sponsorship from Fast Track Delivery Sealer and XE Sighting System. Crafton finished 4th in points.[7]. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. It was also the first time he led more than 100 laps in a race. About Matt Crafton In 2014, Crafton drove his way into the NASCAR history books becoming the first NCWTS back-to-back champion, winning titles in 2013 and 2014. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. Grandpa's looking out for us this year, (26) was his number, it was the day I was born and my dad's number when he drove, so it was all pretty neat.". Crafton was born in Tulare, California. Matt Crafton Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Age, Wiki Biography and Wiki Matt Crafton was born on 11 June, 1976 in Tulare, California, United States, is an American stock car racing driver. He said he and Ashley have the exchanges between feeding (her) and changing (him) down to a smooth routine. Crafton scored his fifth victory of the season at Martinsville on October 31, marking his second win at Martinsville, and the deepest into the season he had ever won a race to that point. In 2001, he piloted the No. Select this result to view Matt Sean Crafton's phone number, address, and . He is from United States. Back at the ThorSport Racing shops in Sandusky, Crafton's crew chief "Junior" Joiner grinned even wider than normal, recently, when he thought about the circumstances of Elladee's birth. At Kansas, an emotional Joiner had told of how important the number "26" was in his family's racing history, as Crafton's win came in Joiner's 26th race as his crew chief. "But it's way, way more than I ever, ever thought it could possibly be. Deegan will replace Christian Eckes, who moves over to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing to drive the No. Todd Bodine (22), Dennis Setzer (18), Greg Biffle (17), and Ted Musgrave (17) are the other drivers ahead of Crafton. In March, with Menard on paternity leave, he was on stand-by to relief drive for Paul Menard at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt 400, due to Menard and his wife expecting their first child. They have also lived in Cumming, GA and Scott City, MO. In 2009, although he did not win a race that season, Crafton scored two poles (Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway), 11 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes, ultimately finishing second in the point standings behind champion Ron Hornaday. Crafton laughed when he described his current state of mind as "good, though maybe a little sleep-deprived -- but it's all good." Later that season, Crafton filled in for Robby Gordon in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Homestead because Gordon was at the final off-road race of the season. Official Fan Page of Matt Crafton, Three-Time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion and ThorSport Racing Driver. 36 of Front Row Motorsports after Matt Tifft was hospitalized with a health problem. He posted a best finish of third place in two races, and with six top fives and 17 top 10s, he ended the season fifth in the final standings. Crafton raced in the 2014 and 2015 IWK 250 pro stock races at Riverside International Speedway in support of the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Crafton has celebrated 15 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series, all of which have featured Menards as his primary partner. Press release https://t.co/66p5xTn7Yv pic.twitter.com/KfPlNCs3ZV, ThorSport Racing (@ThorSportRacing) February 8, 2023, Weve had an outstanding partnership with ThorSport through the years, Menards President John Menard said in a press release on February 8. Crafton will now suit up for another full season of Craftsman Truck Series competition, and he will have Menards back as his primary partner. Matt met Jocelyn Janusiewicz in his hometown of Tulare, Calif., in March of 1999. Crafton was called in to substitute for Menard's No. Joiner said last week, shaking his head and smiling -- coincidentally even as his wife walked around the corner of the finish fabrication area carrying their infant son. "I gotta go with business as usual as much as I can, and I honestly can't tell you how much we're enjoying this.". But for the driver who assumed the Truck Series' points lead less than two weeks ago after a combination of Crafton's win in the series' last race, at Kansas Speedway and a penalty to his ThorSport Racing teammate Johnny Sauter that reversed their first and second positions in the standings, the reality of having a child is mind-boggling. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado for ThorSport Racing, and the fact that he is engaged to be married to Ashley Greer in just a few months, but let me introduce you to Ashley and the love story between her and Matt. His fourth win of the season came at Kentucky after the race was cut short due to damage to the catch fence from Ben Kennedy's crash. Although Crafton still won no races throughout 2019, he made his 2nd-ever Championship 4 appearance. "Is that cool or what?" It was his 178th start, the record for most starts a driver has had before getting his first win in the Truck Series. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Eight days later, he scored his second career victory at Charlotte, marking the first back-to-back victories in his career. They were friends at first but after hanging out for a few months (and Matt became available) they took a shot at a relationship. However, Crafton struggled more noticeably with consistency than in the previous two seasons. He will return to ThorSport Racing and the No. ", At Kansas, an emotional Joiner had told of how important the number "26" was in his family's racing history, as Crafton's win came in Joiner's 26, "Is that cool or what?" Matt Crafton has joined the Black. A three-time champion of the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (2013, 2014, 2019), he currently races full-time in the series, in which he drives the No. who moves over to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. 46 full-time in 1997. Collect, curate and comment on your files. His success in the Featherlite Southwest Series that season led to the invitation to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for ThorSport Racing. In 2009, although he did not win a race that season, Crafton scored two poles (Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway), 11 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes, ultimately finishing second in the point standings behind champion Ron Hornaday. Junior Joiner will step away from. Crafton had another strong season in 2010, earning one pole at Texas Motor Speedway, 10 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes, resulting in a season-ending rank of fourth. Despite strong statistics in 2004, he was released from KHI and returned to ThorSport for the 2005 season, where he won his first career pole at New Hampshire International Speedway, earning two top fives and 10 top 10s and finishing ninth in the standings. On May 8, he used fuel strategy to win at Kansas after multiple other top five Trucks ran out in the closing laps, winning a second race at one track for the first time in his career. Main [4] On July 19, he scored his fourteenth career victory at Eldora. The partnership began in 2001, which was Craftons second season in the Craftsman Truck Series. * Most laps led. It was his 178th start, the record for most starts a driver has had before getting his first win in the Truck Series. Including the Charlotte event on May 17 the series has four races in the space of seven weeks. The veteran driver finished out the 2021 season with 498 total starts in the Truck Series. Matt Crafton (@matt_crafton) Instagram photo. On June 6, he won on fuel strategy at Texas Motor Speedway to win two races in a season for the first time in his career. 2022 Matt Crafton. 10, 1981 and has two brothers and a sister. The win moved him into the top five in points for 2008. Menard eventually ran the first stage before Crafton relieved him for the remainder of the race; he was involved in a multi-car wreck on lap 163 but finished 14th. Crafton was called in to substitute for Menards No. Crafton sat on the pole for the 2014 edition of the race, and wound up finishing 10th, one lap down. Crafton scored his fifth victory of the season at Martinsville on October 31, marking his second win at Martinsville, and the deepest into the season he had ever won a race to that point. He said he and Ashley have the exchanges between feeding (her) and changing (him) down to a smooth routine. 5. 2011 saw the second win of Crafton's career at Iowa Speedway, in addition to poles at Michigan International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, where he broke the track qualifying record. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. In 2015 Crafton started third and quickly made his way to the front of the pack before retiring from the race with brake failure, ultimately finishing 21st. The Craftons' child's birth came six days after Crafton's win in Kansas -- which was shades of Sauter's victory two years ago at Martinsville, which preceded the birth of he and wife Cortney's daugher, Paige, by just days. It was also the first time he led more than 100 laps in a race. Crafton raced in the 2014 and 2015 IWK 250 pro stock races at Riverside International Speedway in support of the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In the 2017 NextEra Energy Resources 250, while leading on the final lap, Crafton was caught in a late-race incident and was clipped by Ben Rhodes; the contact turned his truck, sent it airborne into a flip, before landing on its wheels. In 2007, he improved to eighth in points and posted ten top-ten finishes for the third consecutive season. Embed Save DETAILS Restrictions: Menards first joined as an associate sponsor in 2002 and that season he earned six top-tens and finished fifteenth in points. He is also the first driver to win two Truck races at Kansas. Grant Enfinger has already left the team to join GMS Racing, but Johnny Sauters future remains in question. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' championship leader Matt Crafton has some serious work to do between now and May 16, . [25] In 2015 Crafton started third and quickly made his way to the front of the pack before retiring from the race with brake failure, ultimately finishing 21st. In March 2019, Crafton participated in the Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car race at Sebring International Raceway, driving a Ford for Multimatic Motorsports alongside ThorSport Racing teammates Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Myatt Snider. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' championship leader Matt Crafton has some serious work to do between now and May 16, the opening day of practice for the next series race, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. 88 ThorSport Racing Toyota Tundra will have a new crew chief in 2022. He also made his Nationwide debut that year, running the No. And he laughed again when he was asked how he thought things would level-off when the Truck Series gets back to racing. "She's already so spoiled," Crafton said of his daughter's birth 10 days ago, on April 26. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy at the Pure Michigan 400 in place of Martin Truex Jr., who was on leave as his girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, underwent cancer treatment. In March 2019, Crafton participated in the Michelin Pilot Challenge sports car race at Sebring International Raceway, driving a Ford for Multimatic Motorsports alongside ThorSport Racing teammates Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Myatt Snider. Which he competes full-time, driving the No. She attended Tulare Union High and won Best Actress her freshman year. Before turning to NASCAR racing in 2000, he raced go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints. 2023 Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia, Paul Culpin Wiki, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Family, Instagram, Twitter, Social Profiles & More Facts, Jason Craft Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Keren Craig (Fashion Designer) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth. [24] Crafton sat on the pole for the 2014 edition of the race, and wound up finishing 10th, one lap down. 2011 saw the second win of Craftons career at Iowa Speedway, in addition to poles at Michigan International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, where he broke the track qualifying record. Matt Crafton born June 11, 1976, is an American professional stock car racing driver. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Crafton was born in Tulare, California. Over four years later, he made his second Cup start in the 2019 First Data 500 at Martinsville in the No. 6. Matt Crafton: The easiest way to think about it is to consider a wine cellar as a separate, temperature-controlled space just like a home office or guest house. Matt Crafton will make his 500th start, making history once again in the process. Collect, curate and comment on your files. In 2004, Crafton signed on to drive the No. His wife is Ashley Greer Matt Crafton Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Matthew Justin Crafton (born June 11, 1976) is an American professional stock car racing driver. However, Crafton struggled more noticeably with consistency than in the previous two seasons. Getty Along with the wins, Crafton has celebrated three Truck Series championships with Menards. He crashed out at Gateway for the second year in a row after tangling with John Hunter Nemechek, and a few weeks later crashed out at Pocono after getting hit by Brad Keselowski. 88 truck for the 2000 season finale at Auto Club Speedway, beginning the series longest-running driver-team relationship. The birth of the Craftons' first child had them overflowing with anticipation. He performed well in all 3 races, finishing 3rd at both Kentucky races and 10th at Chicagoland. His wife is Ashley Greer Matt Crafton Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. Read top and most recent tweets from his Twitter account here Because of Craftons sponsorship with Menards, he has made spot duty with Menards Cup teams, including taking over for Paul Menard on occasion. In 2012, Crafton, supported by Travis Pastrana, competed in the TORC: The Off-Road Championship series PRO 2WD truck race at Chicagoland, finishing third. Majeski and Rhodes both won races while reaching the championship four. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. After four full-time seasons in the Featherlite Southwest Series, Crafton won the championship in 2000 on the strength of four wins that year. It was his 178th start, the record for most starts a driver has had before getting his first win in the Truck Series. His career went national when he became involved in the 1998 Winter Heat Series shown on ESPN at Tucson Raceway Park, during which he raced against other current NASCAR drivers Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ron Hornaday. In 2012, after the team had moved from Chevrolet to Toyota, he had a decent season, finishing 6th in points. Later in the year, he returned to the Childress Cup paddock, qualifying the No. Despite finishing last of the final 4 drivers at Homestead, Crafton wound up with his 16th top-ten finish of 2017. Crafton had another strong season in 2010, earning one pole at Texas Motor Speedway, 10 top-five, and 20 top-10 finishes, resulting in a season-ending rank of fourth. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet twice in 2014; first at January Daytona testing after a pipe burst in Menard's house,[8] and Crafton was third fastest with a speed of 194.342 miles per hour (312.763km/h). He is a three-time champion of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (2013, 2014, 2019), which he competes full-time in, driving the No. While the driver of the No. USA -Nov 14: Matt Crafton celebrates with wife Ashley and daughter Elladee in victory lane after winning the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship following the Ford EcoBoost 200 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, FL. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 11 June. "The only place she really likes to sleep is on my chest, so we're trying to wean her off that.". When Matt called and told me it was 'go time,' I told him it was the 26th -- what else did he expect? "But I never thought I'd see the day that Matt could look that angelic Never -- but I can see he's already in trouble -- days old and she's already got him worked. ). Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. He won multiple national and regional championships before moving to midgets at the age of 15, winning twenty main events. ", At Kansas, an emotional Joiner had told of how important the number "26" was in his family's racing history, as Crafton's win came in Joiner's 26, "Is that cool or what?" For the first time since 2012, Crafton went winless in 2018 with a season's best finish of 2nd at the fifth race of the season at Dover and went on to finish 6th in the final point standings despite being eliminated after the Round of 6. You may know Matt Crafton, driver of the No. The race at Daytona International Speedway will be the first opportunity for Crafton, Rhodes, Majeski, and Deegan to pursue this goal. Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton poses for a photo with his wife Ashley and daughter Elladee at the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Banquet at the Trump. * Most laps led. PHONE: 479.636.4838 Matt Crafton is President and Chief Executive Officer of Crafton Tull. The partnership with Menards will continue, but there will be other changes at ThorSport Racing. Image courtesy of racefans.net WWW tallglassofmilk, This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from. He joined the Featherlite Southwest Series as a substitute for his injured father, Danny Crafton, in 1996, filling in as driver of the No. Matt Crafton will pursue his first win at Richmond Raceway. Menards first joined as an associate sponsor in 2002 and that season he earned six top-tens and finished fifteenth in points. "I wish I could tell you when (the routine) might level off," Crafton said. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. He had eleven top-tens and finished twelfth in the championship standings, third behind Ricky Hendrick and Travis Kvapil for Rookie of the Year. Despite strong statistics in 2004, he was released from KHI and returned to ThorSport for the 2005 season, where he won his first career pole at New Hampshire International Speedway, earning two top fives and 10 top 10s and finishing ninth in the standings.