Matt Crafton Bio: Early Life, Wife, Crash And Net Worth
Matthew Justin Crafton, a.k.a Matt Crafton, is a famous American professional stock car racing driver.
Matt Crafton is a full-time driver, competing in driving the No.88 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing. He is also a three-time champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Matt’s journey began when he made his Truck Series debut in 2000. However, Crafton joined the Featherlite Southwest Series as a substitute in 1996 for his father because his father was injured.
He piloted the No. 88 for ThorSport full-time starting in 2001. Crafton’s first NASCAR win was on May 16, 2008, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Crafton has also made occasional appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Further, he substituted for other drivers in the Cup Series for various reasons, including injury, health issues, and other circumstances.
Matt substituted for Paul Menard and other drivers in Cup races, often due to his sponsorship with Menards.
Crafton’s Cup Series appearances have been irregular and typically associated with substituting for other drivers.
American stock car racing driver Matt has continued to compete in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2000 and is still achieving significant success, including championships and multiple wins.
Early Life
Born o June 11, 1976, in Tulare, California, U.S., Matt Crafton is the son of Danny Crafton and Jeannie Crafton. His father, Danny Crafton, was born on November 14, 1946, in Tulare, CA.
Matt’s father has made a mark as a Crew Chief. In addition to his racing background, Danny’s upbringing included the companionship of two bullmastiffs, Axle and Ava.
Before joining NASCAR racing in 2000, he competed in go-karts, midgets, and mini sprints.
His go-kart journey started at the age of seven when he received a kart as a gift for kindergarten graduation.
Furthermore, Matt achieved numerous national and regional championships in go-kart racing. He moved to midget racing at the age of 15, where he won twenty main events.
Stock car racing driver Matt, in 1996, substituted for his injured father, Danny Carfton, in the Featherlite Southwest Series, driving the No. 46 entry for the last three races of the season.
Crafton took over the No. 46 full-time in the Featherlite Southwest Series in 1997.
Subsequently, in 1998, Crafton gained national exposure by participating in the Winter Heat Series at Tucson Raceway Park, competing against other NASCAR drivers such as Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ron Hornaday.
After four full-time seasons in the Featherlite Southwest Series, Crafton secured the Championship in 2000, claiming four wins that year.
His performance in the Featherlite Southwest Series in 2000 led to an opportunity to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for SealMaster Racing, and the rest is history.
Achieved Records
Throughout his 22 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Matt Crafton has achieved remarkable milestones and broken records.
Crafton holds the record for the most consecutive Truck Series starts by an active driver, surpassing Terry Cook’s previous record of 296 consecutive starts.
He holds the fastest qualifying lap record at Martinsville Speedway in a truck, set on October 29, 2011.
On August 6, 2011, Crafton and teammate Johnny Sauter started ThorSport Racing’s 354th NCWTS race, surpassing Roush Fenway Racing’s previous record.
Crafton became the first back-to-back NCWTS champion on November 14, 2014.
Additionally, Crafton ran his first Cup race in the 2015 Daytona 500, substituting for Kyle Busch in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 after Busch suffered a compound leg fracture in the previous day’s Xfinity Series race.
Furthermore, on November 15, 2019, he secured his 3rd career Championship, making history by being the first to win a championship without winning a race in the season’s second year in a row.
Wife
Matt Crafton is known to keep his personal life private but is currently engaged with Lauren Crafton.
While her birth date remains undisclosed, Lauren celebrates her birthday on February 12.
The couple’s strong bond is evident as they share a harmonious life, offering mutual support and companionship.
Lauren Crafton is actively involved in the business world, specifically with SharpFinn.
SharpFinn is a prominent web design and marketing company specializing in website development, design, and SEO ranking.
This comprehensive design firm offers various services, including web design, print design, business cards, brochures, package design, social media management, Google Ads management, photography, and brand identity.
Within Matt’s family, the couple shares a son named Matthew Crafton. Matthew is the family’s youngest member.
Before his current relationship, Matt had a daughter named Elladee Ann Crafton from a previous relationship.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, the four family members have found harmony and joy in their shared experiences, frequently embarking on travels and adventures together.
Previous Love Life Of Matt Crafton
Matt Crafton was engaged to Ashley Greer in a previous chapter of his life. According to The Knot, the couple was married on January 14, 2012.
Ashley, the daughter of Ronda and Jeff Greer shared a unique connection with the world of racing due to her father’s deep involvement in the sport.
Growing up with a racing enthusiast like her father, Ashley was immersed in the racing culture from an early age.
Interestingly, her father himself was a racer, which added another layer of connection to the racing world.
Furthermore, Ashley’s mother also worked for the racing community as a photographer for the NCWTS (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series).
According to various sources, in a lesser-known chapter of Matt Crafton’s life, he was previously married to Jocelyn Janusiewicz.
Matt’s love story with Jocelyn began in their hometown of Tulare, California, when they first met in March 1999. Starting as friends, their relationship became romantic after spending several months together.
When Matt received the offer to drive for SealMaster Racing in Sandusky, Ohio, for the 2001 season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (#88 truck), Jocelyn chose to accompany him in this new career chapter.
The couple’s commitment became stronger as they exchanged vows on October 25, 2002, in a lovely ceremony at Shoreline Park on Lake Erie.
Jocelyn Janusiewicz was born in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 10, 1981. With two brothers and a sister, her family experienced frequent relocations before finally settling in Tulare, California.
From a young age, Jocelyn displayed a passion for modeling and performing.
Her journey in the entertainment world began when she took on the role of Goldilocks in fifth grade, followed by achieving the first runner-up position in a local “Model of the Year” contest in sixth grade.
She continued to nurture her talents and acting pursuits by attending Tulare Union High School, where she even secured the title of Best Actress during her first year.
Moreover, she graced the stage in productions such as “Grease,” “12 Angry Men,” and “Damn Yankees.”
Her experience extended to commercials, voice-over work, and participation in various modeling and acting workshops. Her dedication led her to join Millenium Model Management in 2002.
Matt Crafton and Jocelyn Crafton embarked on a journey that blended their passions and pursuits, creating a unique and vibrant shared life.
Sadly, the couple was not destined for a lasting journey together.
Crash
Matt Crafton was leading the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Daytona International Speedway.
According to ESPN, on the race’s final lap, Crafton’s truck was clipped by a spinning truck driven by Ben Rhodes.
As a result, Crafton’s truck went airborne, performing a complete flip horizontally in the air before landing back on its wheels on the track.
Despite the dramatic crash, Crafton was fortunate and escaped without any injuries.
Crafton’s truck was hit multiple times during the crash sequence involving Ben Rhodes.
Matt’s truck partially landed on the truck of Johnny Sauter, another competitor. The crash occurred on the last lap of the race.
Moreover, Matt’s crash was the second significant crash of the race, with a 17-truck crash occurring earlier. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident.
Net Worth
Matt Crafton’s net worth remains private, yet it stands as proof of his thriving racing career and successful brand partnerships.
His priceless endorsement deals and outstanding performance on the racecourse have contributed to his financial success.
Crafton’s racing achievements and strategic brand endorsements have paved the way for his substantial earnings.
His dedication and performance in racing have undoubtedly contributed to his financial well-being.
Although Crafton’s exact net worth is unknown, he has partnered with a number of well-known companies, demonstrating his interest as a brand ambassador.
Famous companies like Park MGM and MGM Resorts are among his relationships, showing his appeal outside of the racing scene.
Furthermore, his endorsement roster extends to Off Axis Paint, a professional helmet painter, and dealer, along with SISU Watches, each adding a layer of diversity to his brand affiliations.
Crafton’s partnership with Menards is an important part of his brand endorsements.
The addition of other respected names like Globe, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Wileyx, Scott, Mayhem Wheels, and FXD shows his diverse sponsorship portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Matt Crafton’s Parents’ Name?
Matt Crafton is the son of Danny Crafton and Jeannie Crafton.
Who is Matt Crafton’s wife?
Matt’s wife’s name is Lauren Crafton.
