Subsequent season marks a brand new starting for Hayley Deeganwho modified the distinction. Nevertheless, he’s simply the identical factor as probably the most dependable characters in racing. Matt Crafton, 46, is Cal Ripken Jr NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence.
Given the variations of their ages and bios, it may hardly have been calculated that Deegan, 21, and Crafton can be teammates in 2023.
Hayley Deegan was three months previous when Matt Crafton made his first look
Three races into the 2013 season, Matt Crafton hit 297The tenth consecutive begins within the Craftsman Truck Sequence to set the sequence report. He hasn’t slowed down within the least, and Crafton’s look at Daytona on February seventeenth will mark his 522ndAbbreviation II Begin straight.
In fact, it isn’t nearly exhibiting up at Crafton. He has gained three championships, most lately in 2019. The ninth-place end within the 2022 standings was the bottom end since 2006 within the standings qualifier.
Crafton has been extra constant than superb, with solely 15 victories however completed within the prime ten in races 312 instances, which is 59.9% of his whole begins. Nevertheless, the information individuals shall be speaking about essentially the most earlier than Daytona is that he made his NASCAR debut on October 28, 2000, 102 days after fellow newcomer ThorSport Racing. Hayley Deegan Boy.
Hailie Deegan joins the highly effective lineup
Hailie Deegan’s main NASCAR achievement so far was being named Most Fashionable Driver within the Craftsman Truck Sequence twice in a row whereas competing for David Gilliland’s workforce. When Gilliland switched producers for the season, Ford joined ThorSport Racing and introduced in Deegan.
She joins a trio that has spectacular credentials.
Matt Crafton is the primary driver to win back-to-back championships within the sequence and has completed within the prime 5 132 instances, greater than 3 times the variety of races (36) accomplished by Deegan.
Ty Majeski, 28, is coming off his first truck racing full season, scoring two wins and ending within the prime 10 in 15 of 23 begins. He is already had a style of the Xfinity Sequence, racing 12 instances in 2018 earlier than Roush Fenway Racing left the sequence. Majeski gained at Homestead-Miami this fall to safe his spot in Championship 4, however he completed twentiethThe tenth within the title race.
Ben Rhodes He is solely 25 years previous however has already scored 164 Truck begins and has a 2021 championship underneath his belt. He completed second to Zane Smith in his remaining season 4 championship with six wins and 89 prime 10 finishes.
Matt Crafton and ThorSport Racing have been collectively for a very long time
It is uncommon for a driver and workforce to stay collectively so long as the collaboration between ThorSport Racing and the driving force of the No. 88 truck lasts.
The workforce started competing within the Craftsman Truck Sequence in 1996, and Matt Crafton joined the homeowners in 2001. Crafton moved to Kevin Harvick’s workforce in 2004 however returned a yr later and has stayed ever since.
The driving force lastly bought his paycheck in Could 2008 when Crafton gained at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His was 178The tenth begin, setting the sequence report for many races earlier than scoring his first win.
Regardless of recording solely three wins, he claimed back-to-back championships in 2013-14.
Have a query or remark about racing? John Moriello of Sportscasting does a column within the mailbag each Friday. Write to him on [email protected]