NASCAR News: Matt Crafton’s Last Lap
The roar of the engines at Daytona still echoed in Matt Crafton’s (pictured) ears as he sat in the quiet of his motorhome, the dim glow of a single lamp casting shadows across the cluttered table.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
At 49, the veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver had seen it all—three championships, 15 wins, and over 500 starts. His ThorSport Racing No. 88 truck was practically an extension of his body, but lately, his body wasn’t cooperating. A nagging shoulder injury from a wreck at Bristol last season flared up after every race, and the long hauls between tracks left him drained in a way they never used to.
It was February 2026, and the season opener was a week away. Matt knew it was time to make the call he’d been dodging for years: retirement.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at a faded photo taped to the wall—him, his wife Ashley, and their four kids, all grinning trackside after his 2019 championship. That was the high point, the moment he thought he’d race forever. But forever had an expiration date, and the mirror didn’t lie. Gray streaks in his beard, lines around his eyes, and a body that ached for rest told the story of a man who’d given everything to the sport.
Matt had always been a planner. He wasn’t one to make snap decisions or chase headlines. So, months ago, he’d started laying the groundwork. Quietly, he’d talked to ThorSport’s owners, Duke and Rhonda Thorson, about stepping back. They’d built something special together since 2008, and he didn’t want to leave them scrambling.
“We’ll miss you, but we get it,” Duke had said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Pick your moment.” Matt decided it would be the end of the 2026 season, his 26th in the Truck Series. One last run, one last shot at a fourth title to cap a Hall of Fame career.
He hadn’t told Ashley yet. She’d supported him through every crash, every late-night drive, every missed birthday. But he’d caught her worried glances when he winced climbing out of the truck. She deserved a husband who could be home, not just a voice on a phone call from some far-off track. His kids—teenagers now—barely remembered a weekend without racing. He wanted to change that, to be there for soccer games and school plays, to teach his youngest how to wrench on a car without a race deadline looming.
The plan was simple but deliberate. He’d race the full 2026 schedule, aiming to go out strong. He’d mentor Ty Majeski, his teammate, to carry ThorSport’s torch. Off the track, he’d work with Menards, his longtime sponsor, to transition into a brand ambassador role, maybe do some TV commentary. He’d seen too many drivers fade away after retiring, lost without the adrenaline. Matt wasn’t going to let that happen. He’d stay connected to the sport, just not behind the wheel.
The hardest part was telling the fans. Crafton wasn’t flashy like some drivers, but his blue-collar grit had earned him a loyal following. He drafted a statement in his head: *“After 26 years, I’m hanging up the helmet at the end of 2026. This sport’s been my life, and I’m grateful for every lap. I’m not going far—just stepping out of the truck to spend more time with my family and give back to this community that’s given me so much.”* He’d release it after Daytona, let the season be his victory lap.
A knock on the motorhome door snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Ty, holding two beers, a grin on his face. “You ready for one more season, old man?” he teased. Matt chuckled, taking a bottle.
“One more,” he said, clinking glasses. He didn’t say the rest, but the weight of the decision settled in his chest. One more season, one more shot to leave it all on the track. Then, Matt Crafton would drive off into a new chapter, the finish line finally in sight.