DEUCES WILD: This weekend when Crafton takes the green flag, he will officially surpass Dennis Setzer for second in all-time consecutive starts in the series with 268. Terry Cook is the current record holder with 296, which Crafton can break at the end of the 2012 season if the schedule has 25 or more races.
SAIL THE OPEN SANDS: In addition to running 219 miles behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet Silverado, Crafton’s week in Vegas includes some extracurricular driving activities. Crafton will embark on the maiden voyage of his newly built sandrail, a lightweight motor vehicle designed for off-road driving and skimming the surface of sand dunes. Be sure to tune in to this weekend’s NCWTS Setup on SPEED to see Crafton hit the dunes with Ray Dunlap.
COME SAY ‘CIAO’ AT THE RIVIERA: This weekend, both the No. 88 and No. 13 trucks will carry the Riviera Hotel & Casino on board as the official Las Vegas hotel of ThorSport Racing. Crafton and teammates Sauter and Dakoda Armstrong will also be making an appearance at the ‘Riv,’ signing autographs at a meet and greet on Friday, October 14 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. local time. Visit www.rivierahotel.com for more information.
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SHOP: 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. 41 this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is the chassis Crafton drove to the pole position earlier in the season at Michigan International Speedway. Crafton most recently raced No. 41 at Kentucky Speedway two weeks ago.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Crafton and the No. 88 team rallied back from mechanical issues on the first lap to finish 23rd at Kentucky Speedway. After being forced into the garage immediately after the green flag due to a bad vibration, the team quickly repaired the Menards/Ideal Door Chevrolet and returned to the track, earning back several laps and gaining many valuable positions before taking the checkered flag in the Kentucky 225.
Do you like going out to Las Vegas?
“I love going out there, it’s the West Coast, that’s where I’m from. I always go out there early to head home for a bit and spend some time in the desert. I just finished building a brand new sandrail, so I’m really looking forward to getting out onto the dunes to break it in. Everyone says it’s so hot out there, but it’s a dry heat. It’s definitely a little different than hot weather on the East Coast.”
What do you like about Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
“I love racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway because there’s always a great turnout in the stands, and it has been a really good racetrack for ThorSport. Two years ago, me and Johnny [Sauter] finished one and two, and we both ran well and finished in the top five last year too.”
How does Las Vegas Motor Speedway compare to other intermediate tracks?
“It has definitely gotten more of a second groove over time. When we first went there, everyone would run around the bottom, but now the groove has moved up, especially in 1 and 2. That’s what I really like about the place, the fact that the groove has moved with age. It also has one of the best garages in the sport.”
Race Info:
October 15, 2011
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
1.5-Mile D-Shaped Oval
Smith’s 350
146 Laps/219 Miles
Broadcast Info:
TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 3:30 p.m. EST
Radio: MRN will broadcast live at 3:00 p.m. EST
Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: 8th
Crew Chief: Bud Haefele
Chassis: 41
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)
Matt Crafton NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
Starts: 10
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 3
Top 10: 4
Laps Led: 18
Average Start: 14.7
Average Finish: 15.2
- ThorSport Racing Press Release
