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LEBANON, TENNESSEE – JUNE 24: Hailie Deegan, driver of the #1 Wastequip Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2022 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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LEBANON, TENNESSEE – JUNE 24: Hailie Deegan, driver of the #1 Wastequip Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2022 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
It’s official. Hailie Deegan will be racing for Thorsports in the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series. Just over a month ago, there was uncertainty regarding Deegan’s career trajectory. Despite her impressive debut, she wasn’t able to secure her seat in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. But Ford made sure she landed in a quality team in the Truck Series, and it was announced that she would return to the Truck Series with ThorSports.
Recently, an interesting fact came to light regarding her and a teammate of hers. Many people are unaware that one of her teammates will be Matt Crafton. The three-time NASCAR Truck Series champion made his debut in the series back in the year 2000. This essentially means that he has been racing in the series since before she was born.
A NASCAR journalist recently tweeted, “Here’s a stat that doesn’t get nearly enough appreciation: Matt Crafton’s consecutive starts streak of 521 races in the Truck Series, which dates back to October 28, 2000. For reference, his newest ThorSport teammate, Hailie Deegan, was born July 18, 2001…”
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Here's a stat that doesn't get nearly enough appreciation: Matt Crafton's consecutive starts streak of 521 races in the Truck Series, which dates back to October 28, 2000.
For reference, his newest ThorSport teammate, Hailie Deegan, was born July 18, 2001… pic.twitter.com/eqQFDPRuT1
— Ben Schneider (@bcschneider53) December 23, 2022
Apart from Crafton, Deegan would be joining Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes at ThorSports for the 2023 season. Deegan will be counting on inputs from her new teammate and Truck Series veteran.
Matt Crafton’s amazing career
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Crafton has had an impressive career, with both longevity and consistency that few can boast of. He is among the most experienced and well-established drivers in the Truck Series.
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Mold Armor/Menards Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
It is worth noting that Crafton’s resume has been astonishing throughout his career. He has 15 wins, 16 poles, 132 top 5s, and 312 top 10s to his name, as well as 3 Truck Series championship titles. That’s a resume worthy of a Cup Series run. Add to it the fact that over the last 16 seasons, he has never finished out of the top 10 rankings. He certainly has matured like an exquisite spirit.
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For Deegan, this poses an amazing opportunity for her 2023 campaign. She will get to learn from one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the series. Hopefully, she can produce some eye-catching results in the upcoming season.
