Catchfence

SANDUSKY, Ohio (September 8, 2011) – ThorSport Racing announced today that Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter will return to drive for the Sandusky, Ohio based team in 2012. Crafton and Sauter both signed deals which will keep them behind the wheel of their current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rides next season under the ThorSport Racing banner, owned by Duke and Rhonda Thorson. Recently, the organization opened its doors to the 100,000-square foot racing facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

ThorSport Racing has competed in the Truck Series since 1996 and has had at least one truck starting in more races than any NCWTS team – making them the longest tenured team in the Series. The team has six wins, eleven poles and has led the series in driver points 13 of 17 weeks in 2011 between both Crafton and Sauter.

Crafton, the 35-year-old driver of the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado, currently has 239 starts with ThorSport Racing and will be embarking on his 12th full-time season with the team. The Tulare, California native made his ThorSport Racing debut in the last event of the 2000 NCWTS season and currently holds the title of the longest relationship between an active driver and team in the series. He also extends the longest sponsor-team relationship in the Series as Crafton continues for an 11th year with Menards. Crafton has earned two wins and six poles in his Truck Series career and has a best year-end ranking of second in the championship standings (in 2010).

“I’m really proud to be extending my relationship with ThorSport Racing,” said Crafton. “Team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson and all the guys on my team have really become like a second family to me. When I first came to ThorSport, Duke promised me that this team would keep getting better every single year, and every year we continue to break records and raise the bar on the way to being what I believe is the best organization in the series. I’m really happy to continue to have the opportunity to race for them again next season.”

Next season will be Sauter’s fourth with the team. The 33-year-old driver from Necedah, Wisconsin took NCWTS Rookie of the Year honors in 2009 behind the wheel of the No. 13 Chevrolet. In his 67 starts for the team over the last three years, Sauter has three wins and four poles, and has led the point standings for 10 of 17 weeks during the 2011 season by Atlanta. He has earned a best year-end ranking of third in the championship standings (in 2010). His dominating and aggressive driving style has earned the respect of rookies and veterans alike, earning him and his team almost every award in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – from Hard Charger to Start Positive, Stay Positive – in 2011.

“It’s an honor to drive for a fourth year with Duke and Rhonda Thorson,” said Sauter, who is currently second in driver championship points with eight races to go in 2011. “They have progressively built championship-caliber teams over the course of 16 years. It’s rare to find the support I’ve found here on the 13 team. I’m proud to have a home at ThorSport Racing, and I hope to continue that championship spirit in 2012.”

“Clearly with all the exciting things weve had going on in the 2011 season, having all of our drivers back in 2012 just continues the good news here at TSR,” said David Pepper, Team Manager. “We feel as if we have two of the top competitors in the NCWTS in Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter; and an outstanding young talent in rookie Dakoda Armstrong. We’re excited about getting all of our drivers and teams together in 2012 so that we can compete for poles, race wins and top fives into the future.”

“We have three quality drivers in our stable at ThorSport Racing, and that’s great for the Series as well as our growing sponsorship and partnership programs,” said Matt LaNeve, Vice President of Motorsports Partnerships. “We’re looking forward to seeing Matt, Johnny and Dakoda continue a strong tradition of excellence in 2012.”

Program details regarding sponsorship of the No. 88 and No. 13 Chevrolet Silverados are forthcoming.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton; the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter; and the No. 98 Ferrell Gas / Agrisure Chevrolet driven by Dakoda Armstrong.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter; both Crafton and Sauter visiting Victory Lane already in 2011. Since its inception, ThorSport Racing has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing moved into a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky.

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- ThorSport Racing Press Release