NASCAR Race Mom: Matt Crafton – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Champion

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Matt Crafton – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Champion

No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford F-150

After missing the Championship 4 last season for the first time since the elimination-style Playoffs were introduced to the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, Matt Crafton came back to contend for the 2019 title in Miami last night in the rain delayed finale.

The lone back-to-back champion in series history (2013, 2014) got to Miami the hard way – through consistency. Crafton was the only driver in the Championship 4 who hadn’t visited Victory Lane this season. (In fact, he hasn’t hoisted a trophy since Eldora Speedway in July of 2017 – a string of 57 races without a win.) Nevertheless, the veteran driver put together six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes this season.

That losing streak was not broken last night. Nevertheless, Matt’s second place finish in the “Ford EcoBoost 200” was enough to propel him into his third title.

He might have three championships now, but @RonHornaday still has four. 😂 pic.twitter.com/0UeD7SdbLh
— NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 16, 2019

Some NASCAR fans have been vocal regarding our now three-time Truck Champion’s ability to capture this latest throne without a 2019 race win.

However, Crafton abided by the current rules and in NASCAR Race Mom’s humble opinion, earned his way into the NASCAR History book.

Crafton History Lesson

To take a look back at Crafton’s championship seasons – both of which were before the current Playoff format was introduced to the Gander Trucks – he had only one win in his first title campaign in 2013, the fourth race of the season at Kansas (a 1.5-mile track like Miami). He then finished 21st in the season finale at Miami but had already locked up the title by starting the race.

Then in 2014, Crafton won a pair of races en route to the title – but both wins were early in the season, at Martinsville in the second race and then at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway in the sixth race. He then finished ninth at Miami to close out the title by 21 points over Ryan Blaney.

In spite of one of our most trying seasons, this team never gave up. We worked harder than ever before and did what it took to be there when it mattered most. Beyond proud, beyond thankful. #3 #andtheycalledustheunderdogs
@menardshomeimproveme @thorsport_racing @fordperformance pic.twitter.com/qXjWrFEMYc
— Matt Crafton (@Matt_Crafton) November 16, 2019