Two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton will make a special appearance at Riverside International Speedway on September 9 when he enters the Lucas Oil 150 for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour.
This will be Crafton’s fourth appearance at Riverside and he’s coming back for one reason.
“I want to win,” said Crafton. “I want to take the trophy home with me. We’ve been close at Riverside but haven’t got it done. I’ve won the pole and led a bunch of laps but I want to go to Victory Lane.”
Crafton’s first three attempts to tame the 0.333-mile high banked oval at Riverside came in three consecutive IWK 250’s (2014-2016). His average finish in those events is 11.33 with a top spot of third in the 2016 edition of the event.
Crafton rates Riverside and its fans as among the greatest he’s ever been around.
“The fans are incredible,” said Crafton. “And Riverside is one of the nicest short tracks I’ve ever been to. It worked out that this event is an off weekend for the Truck Series, so when I found out there was a car available for me to drive I didn’t hesitate. I look forward to it.”
Crafton (Tulare, California) will run the Lucas Oil 150 in his familiar No. 88 out of the Nova Racing stable as a teammate to veteran Donald Chisholm (Antigonish) and rookie Braden Langille (Shubenacadie).
Crafton is the only driver in the 31-year history of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to win back-to-back championships. He began his racing career in go-karts, mini sprints and midgets before following his father, Danny Crafton, into late models where he won the 2000 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series championship. That success led him to ThorSport Racing where, in 2001, he became full-time driver of the No. 88 truck. In an 18-year NCWTS career, Crafton holds the record for the most consecutive starts of any active driver and has accumulated 14 wins, 236 top 10 finishes, and 13 poles in his 398 starts in the series. He is currently third in series point standings with one win on the season.
The Lucas Oil 150 is round 11 of 12 on the road to the championship for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and so plays a pivotal role in the overall standings for the season.
Advance reserved and general tickets for the Lucas Oil 150 will be available starting this Wednesday using Order & Pay Online. General admission tickets will be available at the gate on September 9.
There is plenty of free spectator and RV parking for this event. RV parking is unreserved and is not serviced; RV’s must park in areas designated for RV’s and must abide by the Riverside Camping Terms of Use (can be found here).
About Riverside International Speedway:
Riverside International Speedway, a 1/3-mile high banked asphalt oval, is located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, at exit 30 off Trans Canada Highway 104. Opened in 1969, the facility was totally rebuilt in 2006 to become a premier motorsports site, comparable to the best short tracks in Canada and the U.S. To learn more about Riverside International Speedway, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902.863.2410.
