Tuesday
Matt Crafton Hopes to Be Top (Hot) Dog in Martinsville
Press Release
HOT DIGGITY DOG: Crafton has 19 previous starts at the home of the “Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog,” more than nearly every driver in the field. David Starr is the only current full-time NCWTS driver with more starts at Martinsville Speedway, having taken the green flag 20 times. In his 19 starts, Crafton has earned two top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 12.4. Crafton has completed 4200 laps around the half-mile circuit, but has only been scored as the leader for one of them. Crafton hopes to be leading the lap that counts when the checkered flag waves in the Kroger 200.
GET YOUR CRAFTON GEAR HERE: The ThorSport Racing online store is open for business and is now accepting credit cards. Head over to http://store.thorsport.com or click the Merchandise tab on ThorSport.com to find gear for all of the ThorSport Racing drivers.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 88 team will utilize chassis No. 34 this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. This will be the chassis’ fifth appearance of 2011. No. 34 is the same chassis Crafton drove to an 11th-place finish in April. Crafton also drove the truck to top-10 finishes at Phoenix International Raceway, Lucas Oil Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway earlier this season.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Crafton and the No. 88 Menards / CertainTeed team experienced an early disappointment in the Coca-Cola 250 at Talladega when superspeedway strategy backfired. While running faster than the leaders a safe distance behind the rest of the field, Crafton proved to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a competitor blew a tire in front of him, resulting in a race-ending wreck which relegated him to a 31st-place finish.
What is the key to success at Martinsville Speedway?
“If there’s one phrase that describes how to do well at Martinsville, it’s ‘track position.’ Qualifying is key because you want to get that track position right from the start, and once you’re up there, you want to keep it. Even if you’re leading, you can never get that far away from the other trucks, and everyone just wants to get to the bottom, so it’s a big struggle for space on such a small track. It’s a lot harder to pass than on the big sweeping tracks, so every position is crucial.”
Race Info:
October 29, 2011
Martinsville Speedway II
0.526-Mile Oval
200 Laps / 105.2 Miles
Broadcast Info:
TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 2:00 p.m. EST
Radio: MRN will broadcast live at 1:45 p.m. EST
Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: 8th
Crew Chief: Bud Haefele
Chassis: 34
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)
Matt Crafton NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Martinsville Speedway:
Starts: 19
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 2
Top 10: 10
Laps Led: 1
Average Start: 15.0
Average Finish: 12.4
About Menards:
With 263 stores in 13 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.
About Roto-Rooter:
Roto-Rooter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemed Corporation, was established in 1935 and is the largest provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services in North America. Roto-Rooter operates businesses in more than 116 company-owned territories and more than 500 independent franchise territories, serving 91 percent of the U.S. population and 44 percent of Canada.
- ThorSport Racing Press Release
Article Tags: Bud Haefele, Coca-Cola 250, Earnhardt Childress Racing, ECR, Kroger 200, LOR, Lucas Oil Raceway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Matt Crafton, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NCWTS, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, NHMS, No. 88 Menards / CertainTeed® Chevrolet Silverado, No.88 Menards / Roto-Rooter Chevrolet Silverado, Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
