“It was terrible.”
That’s how three-time champion Matt Crafton described his final race as a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver. A 13th-place finish Friday (Oct. 31) at Phoenix Raceway closed the book on a season where the 49-year-old failed to score a single top-five finish, the first time that’s happened to him in 22 years.
“It was terrible we sucked as bad as we did tonight and we sucked as bad as we did all year,” Crafton told Frontstretch after the race. “There were some moments where we were decent this year, and we made some gains, [but] tonight was terrible.”
When the checkered flag dropped over the Truck season finale, Crafton did still complete a longtime NASCAR goal. He lived out the remainder of his career in full-time Truck competition, right where he wanted to instead of moving up to Xfinity or Cup.
“I’ve always said I’d be happy to stay in the Truck Series and end my career in the Truck Series because it’s just awesome racing,” Crafton said in a 2017 interview. “I truly, truly love it here. I’m out here to win races and do what I love to do, all while running up front.”
Boy, how times have changed.
For the last three seasons, Crafton has gone winless and put up a combined 21 top-10 finishes. In 2025, he finished inside the top 10 just five times, his lowest total since his sophomore season in 2002.
After such a prolonged slump, you wouldn’t blame Crafton if he decided to hang up his helmet for good. But the three-time Truck champion has made it clear he’ll still run a few races, though the schedule and tracks have yet to be determined.
The way in which he describes the Trucks these days, it’s clear Crafton feels like he can still be competitive with the right equipment.
Any racetrack, any time. With a truck chassis he feels has evened out the playing field – perhaps a little too much.
“I always said anywhere I use two feet, because a lot of these racetracks…” Crafton continued. “In all seriousness, I mean, you can put a monkey in there and they can drive them.
“It’s pathetic.”
Crafton’s scathing review of how NASCAR has adjusted the trucks throughout his 25-year tenure speaks volumes since he’s seen so many iterations of the rulebook when it comes to parts and performance specifications.
“What NASCAR has done to the Truck Series,” he continued. “Is they got too much downforce, not enough motor, and you try to talk to them about it – and I’ll probably get in trouble for it – but they just have their opinions on stuff.
“It’s not really fun racing when you run around a mile-and-a-half, and most of the time you’re wide open. You really can’t make a difference [with driver skill] on some of the bigger racetracks. I mean, yeah, the driver can make a little bit of difference, but… you’re only as good as the stuff you’re sitting in.”
Even though he’s no longer competing full-time, expect to see Crafton’s involvement on a regular basis with ThorSport Racing. He competed for the team in 24 of his 25 full-time seasons running Trucks and remains committed to the organization long-term.
“Duke and Rhonda (Thorson, owners) are very loyal,” Crafton explained. “Duke’s always said we’re going to build it like a business and keep making it better and better… I think Duke wants to keep using me as a tool, and I think I can make it better.
“I don’t know what we’ve done in the last few years and we have… we’ve made it worse. I’ve learned a lot and I feel like I know quite a bit on these race cars, and I think maybe me not doing it full time, I can add to it and figure out some of the problems that we’ve had and what’s made this program worse.”
As for what’s next for Crafton outside of NASCAR?
“Just look forward and go race part-time and go enjoy the family,” he explained. “And go do some dirt racing and do the things that make you smile.”
After 592 career Truck starts, three championships and 15 career wins, Crafton’s sure earned a break.
It suck nascar didn’t ever give him a interview after or before the finial race .Show u how nascar feels for the people that race for them .
“Too much downforce and not enough motor” is a true statement about what is ailing all of Nascar
It’s amazing isn’t it. People have been saying this over and over for years. Its like Nascar takes it as a sign of weakness if they actually listen to someone.