Matt Crafton Leader of the Pack at ThorSport Racing
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[/media-credit]Celebrating his twelfth season at ThorSport Racing, 35 year old Matt Crafton may well be known as the ‘leader of the pack’ among his fellow drivers, including championship runner-up Johnny Sauter and Rookie of the Year contender Dakoda Armstrong.
And although the driver of the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra is fine with that ‘leader of the pack’ moniker, as well as being the ‘wily veteran’, he does take exception to anyone who pins the ‘old’ label on him.
“That’s what they’ve named me,” Crafton said of his ‘leader of the pack’ status. “I didn’t so much come up with that but I guess that’s what they’re calling me.”
Whether leader or wily veteran, Crafton admits that he definitely has had an unusual amount of time with the same team, especially in the ever-changing sport of NASCAR racing.
“It says so much for Duke and Rhonda Thorson (ThorSport owners) and Menards (sponsor) who have been behind me for these past years,” Crafton said. “Duke has run this like a business and has grown each year but has not overspent, like so many race teams do.”
“Duke said if I’d stick with him as he was growing, we would be just fine,” Crafton continued. “And he has been a man of his words.”
Will this long-term relationship with ThorSport Racing lead to a championship run for the ‘wily veteran’ this upcoming race season?
“I sure hope so,” Crafton said simply. “That would be a dream come true for the Thorsons and for me.”
In addition to his teammate Johnny Sauter, who has been with ThorSport Racing for several years, Crafton is also looking forward to his newer teammate Dakoda Armstrong. With the trio racing together for ThorSport, Crafton is convinced that they may just be that team to beat for the Truck Series championship.
“It’s definitely going to help us,” Crafton said of his teammates. “It will give us some more people to bounce ideas off.”
“There’s going to be some weekends that me and Johnny will struggle and Dakoda and his team might be on a different path and able to help us,” Crafton continued. “That’s one of the great things about having a multi-truck deal.”
“Dakoda’s going to do a good job,” Crafton said. “He’s got a lot of learning to do and he’s definitely green.”
“But if he keeps calling me ‘old guy’, we’re going to have a problem,” Crafton said with a chuckle. “He’s going to have to learn to respect his elders.”
In addition to his young teammate, Crafton also has another major change facing him for the 2012 season. For the first time in his Truck career, he will be driving a Toyota instead of a Chevrolet.
“It’s been great,” Crafton said of the change. “Toyota has been a great company to work with so far.”
“I’ve been with Chevy since I started in the Truck Series and that’s all I’ve ever known,” Crafton continued. “So, I had no idea how this was going to go.”
“But they give you so many tools and their door is always open to ideas and questions you might have,” Crafton said. “They have 40 engineers on staff and you can go to them and they thrive on figuring out the answer.”
“That’s one of the cool things that Toyota has given us.”
“Chevy was great to us but we were racing against Cup-associated and affiliated race teams,” Crafton said. “To get to the next level, we felt we could get that Cup technology by going with Toyota.”
Not only does Crafton have a new manufacturer, but he also has a new crew chief, Carl Joiner. And while Joiner may be new to the top of the pit box, he has been a long time team member and friend of the veteran driver.
“He’s actually been our shock guy for, oh my God, seven years if not more,” Crafton said of Joiner. “I just got married this year and he was my best man.”
“The year I won the championship on the southwest tour, he and my dad were my crew chiefs,” Crafton continued. “He was doing it back then and we’ve always had a great relationship.”
“I’m really, really super-stoked about working with him this year.”
While he may be looking forward to the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season, Crafton has been busy off the track as well. In fact, he has been on the road during his time off just about as much as during his race season, even taking time to tie the knot.
“I have been traveling,” Crafton said. “From the time I left Homestead to two days ago, I’ve only been home eight days.”
“Everybody always says we should be resting but I love to travel so I’m not complaining,” Crafton continued. “Right after Homestead, we went to southern California and played in the sand.”
“Then we came home and flew off to go get married just south of Cancun, Mexico and then we went to honeymoon in Costa Rica,” Crafton said. “When we got home from our honeymoon, we were home for two days and went to play in the sand again in California and then drove our motor home back.”
“We actually take our motor home and leave it out there all winter and before the season we drive it back,” Crafton continued. “And that is not very much fun.”
“But if we made it through that long drive stuck in the motor home for three days, I guess we can be married.”
As hectic as his off-season has been, Crafton can barely contain his excitement for the beginning of the Truck season at Daytona this weekend.
“I am just super-excited,” Crafton said. “I’m so looking forward to this season.”
New IndyCar Chassis Makes Canadian Debut at Canadian Motorsports Expo
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- Trevor Knowles, IndyCar Director of Engine Development
On Friday February 10th, IZOD IndyCar Director of Engine Development Trevor Knowles unveiled the brand new 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar for the first time in Canada as part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo at the International Centre.
The car includes many safety features to make the IndyCar Series safer after the death of Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas last October. Ironically, Wheldon had been helping series officials throughout 2011 develop this car, so therefore the car was named DW12 after Wheldon.
Some of the safety features and other changes include…..
The fenders are wider in the back to therefore prevent wheel-to-wheel locking, which was one of the contributors in Wheldon’s crash.
The drivers’ cockpit has changed as it’s wider to give the driver’s more room and sits them lower so they have more protection. Knowles also added that there is more padding with the new seats, saying, “As you remember, Justin Wilson hurt his back last year after going over a car. That wouldn’t had happened in this car.”
The series will run spec cars, which means “the teams have to run the cars as delivered by Dallara”. Knowles says they did this to therefore keep costs down, adding that this chassis is cheaper than the 2011 chassis. He went on to say that the same suspension will be used on road courses and speedways. The gearbox is also supplied to the teams.
They switched from steel to carbon brakes, which once again reduce the costs because the brakes last longer.
There is no clutch button in the car as it powered by a lever on the steering wheel now. Knowles added, “Hopefully that will keep the car running and reduced the number of full course yellows during practice or a race.”
There are three engine manufactures on board – Chevrolet, Lotus and Honda. In past recent seasons, Honda has been the sole supplier of motors. The engines are going to be a 2.2 V6 turbo charged with a spec minimum weight. Knowles says that IndyCar does have control over certain individual specs of the motors, too, and changes may come during the season as they are needed. These motors will be controlled by ECUs, which will be supplied by IndyCar. It controls gear shifts and clutch, along with setting in an RPM limit. Manufactures will be allowed to change calibrations, but nothing beyond that as Knowles says that stops the usage of traction control and other tricks.
Also, IndyCar will be incharge of how the manufactures supply the engines. Knowles spoke of how sometimes manufactures pick and choose certain people to get certain engines to therefore have some cars stronger. This will not happen as manufactures must send the motors to IndyCar first, and then IndyCar will send them out to the teams.
Teams will only need up to eight motors a year and IndyCar will be keeping track of this. Approved engine changes will be allowed – such as when a motor reaches its life or has blown up. Unapproved changes are also allowed, but the team will be penalized for that. Also, once the motor is put in the car, it will be sealed as officials don’t want them making changes once at the shop.
They’ve also switched the fuel from ethanol to Sonoco’s racing fuel and switched to direct injection, which makes it easier for the manufactures in development.
The Turbo Chargers are also supplied by one company to the manufactures to keep things even across the board. Manufactures had the choice between a single turbo charge or a twin turbo charger. Honda chose single while both Chevrolet and Lotus chose twin.
They will also run torque sensors on select cars each week to therefore determine the varying performance levels. If a manufactures performance is significantly lower than that of their rivals, they will be allowed to make changes. Knowles says, “We don’t wanna punish a manufacture for running good, but we wanna keep all manufactures competitive.”
IndyCar will begin the season without the overtake switch and whether or not it is implemented will depend on how the racing looks. If they
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[/media-credit]choose to implement it, it will have a different set-up than they’ve had before. The old system it would initialize the overtake right away, while the new system would have a slight delay before kicking in.
Engine recovery system is also not included on this car, but may be included down the road. This is part of trying to save the teams money right now.
With regards to suspension and handling, teams will have an option to run a combination of the old style with the new style. The new style suspension pushes more weight towards the front of the car. By allowing this, it allows the teams to have some innovation on their side to some weeks some will get it right and other weeks they won’t get it right.
A lot of people are excited for what the 2012 season has to bring for the IZOD IndyCar Series as it should be exciting with the changes have taken place and what it is to come.
The 2012 season begins with St. Petersburg on March 25th. For more information on the IZOD IndyCar Series, check out http://www.indycar.com.
IndyCar: The Future Looks Bright For the Honda Indy Toronto
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- IndyCar Director of Engine Development Trevor Knowles and Honda Indy Toronto VP & GM Charlie Johnstone
Every year, fans across Canada head to Exhibition Grounds to see the Honda Indy Toronto, which is headlined by the IZOD IndyCar Series.
With IndyCar debuting a new chassis for 2012, anticipation is high for this year’s event.
“I think this year’s Honda Indy Toronto is going to be spectacular,” Honda Indy Toronto VP and GM Charlie Johnston says. “It’s the largest sporting event in Ontario. We now have a new chassis that the Indy teams will be running – it will be the first time for the new chassis in Toronto. The new engines manufactures, you’ll see increased competition so I think the future looks really bright for this year and future years for the Honda Indy Toronto.”
Johnston was at the Canadian Motorsports Expo on Friday February 11th, part of the Canadian unveil of the 2012 Dallara DW12 chassis.
The car includes many safety features to make the IndyCar Series safer after the death of Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas last October. Ironically, Wheldon had been helping series officials throughout 2011 develop this car, so therefore the car was named DW12 after Wheldon.
Johnston says the car looks good and addresses safety issues, but also addresses other concerns.
“I think they’ve really addressed some of the safety issues, speed issues and cost issues so we’ve got a lighter, faster, safer racecar so it’s going to be awesome in the streets of Toronto,” he says.
Coming into the race, a lot of Ontario fans have kept their eyes as of late on Oakville, Ontario native James Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe recently announced that he would be replacing Danica Patrick at Andretti Autosport, driving the Go Daddy car in 2012.
“I think it’s great,” Johnstone comments. “James is a great kid to be in the Go Daddy, to be driving for Michael Andretti, who has won this race five times and this will be his hometown race. I think the future is bright for both James and his involvement in the Honda Indy Toronto.”
Beyond Hinchcliffe, Alex Tagliani is locked to be part of this year’s edition of the race, while Paul Tracy is trying to solidify details to be there.
“Anytime you can have Canadians involved with the Honda Indy Toronto is great and cheer for the local heroes is fabulous,” Johnstone comments.
For more information on the Honda Indy Toronto and to get tickets, check out http://www.hondaindytoronto.com.
USAC Amsoil Sprint Cars End Show With A Bang.
The Bubba Raceway Dirt Army 3 day USAC Amsoil Sprint Car show was cut to two days by mother nature with the second night being rained out by torrential rains. The rains left the track a soggy wet marsh that track officials and the Sprint car drivers themselves worked all day to make race able. And man were they successful with the closest A main finish in Bubba Raceway history coming between Darren Hagen and Bryan Clauson. The margin of victory .092 seconds.
There was no doubt that the track was going to be fast and the show was going to be furious when the top 3 qualifiers all broke the old track record that was set by Brady Bacon (14.366) on Friday. Darren Hagen broke it first with a lap of 14.282. Levi Jones broke it immediately following with a lap of 14.123. Finally the last qualifier of the night, Justin Grant broke it for the final time with a lap of 14.018. Cars coming dangerously close to the record included Jon Stambourgh, and Cody Swanson.
The four heat races were hard fought and no holds barred events that showed the skills and the determination of all in the field. Four wide was the standard of the day and the power slides were simply breath taking. The four winners, Casey Shuman, Brady Bacon, Chase Stockon, Bud Kaeding would all breathe a sigh of relief knowing their transfer positions were secure.
The B Main was not short on excitement with it’s 6 transfers being Kevin Thomas Jr, Cody Swanson, Wes McIntrye, Hunter Schuerenberg, Robert Ballou, and Mitch Wissmiller. Kyle Cummings would take a provisional to start the A Main.
Coleman Gullick who had earned a front row starting spot had to give up that spot and start at the back of the field when he could not find a replacement rocker arm and had to go to a back up car to start the race. Gullick would manage to finish 13th but never was a factor the rest of the evening.
The A Main was a hard run race with some of the closest racing I have seen in a long time. Two and three wide throughout the pack. The battle of the night was between Bryan Clauson and Darren Hagen. Clauson tried numerous times to take Hagen on the low side pulling up even but not able to make the pass. Hagen held his line until the last lap when he moved to protect the bottom out of three. Clauson then dived to the top and pulled even with Hagen down the front stretch the pair touched right before the start finish line forcing Clauson into the wall at the start finish line and spinning him down into the infield in turn one. Hagen’s margin of victory over Clauson was .092 seconds. Clauson who was unavailable for comment walked away from the car uninjured.
Also in a tight battle all evening were Silver Crown Champion Levi Jones and Jason Grant. Although for they were battling for the 3rd position, the battle couldn’t have been more heated. Grant flexed his muscle in the final 3 laps to finally pull ahead of Jones for the 3rd spot with Jones coming home a very very close 4th.
Also running tonight in Scraven Georgia was the second night of the UNOH ASCOC series. And the A main was incredible. With 15 laps to go the Winged Sprints had already run 53 laps on the track and were forced to stop and fuel the cars under the red flag for a 4 car crash in turn 1. When the green flag flew again the cars at the front of the pack were on a mission. Lead by Jason Sides the top 5 started slicing around the track. On the back stretch Joey Saldana made a daring pass on Tony Stewart. Stewart went high into 3 and took the position back and began his march to the front taking the lead on the next to last lap, Stewart never looked back and took the race in convincing style. When you stop to consider that the track was frozen due to temperatures in the low 30’s it was an incredible feat of driving. “It’s not ideal racing conditions. There is ice on the bottom down there. I am real appreciative of everyone who stuck it out with us here.” Stated Stewart in victory lane. When he was asked if he was holding something back there in the beginning he said, “I wish I could say I was. But the car just came around. I’ve worked my guys to death the last few days. I couldn’t do it without them.”
So ends an incredible weekend of racing and we look forward to yet another next weekend. Many thanks to 3 Wide Life whose broadcasts enabled millions to watch the racing in Florida who could not afford to travel there. Your coverage was incredible! Also thanks to the Dirt Vision folks who broadcasts from Scraven Georgia save a few audio difficulties allowed people all over the world to enjoy the UNOH ASCOC competition and the WoO late models as well. Congratulations to all the winners. Incredible job to all the competitors and teams.
One note of correction from my piece on Friday. I misunderstood the announcer on Friday when he announced where the electric midget was built. The electric midget was built in Columbus, OHIO by Columbus Electric Motorsports, in cooperation with USAC, and with the support of CAR Technologies LLC. I apologize for the error to my readers and the Columbus Electric Motorsports company for the error.
Sergio Pena Looks Forward to Freshman Year On and Off the Track
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[/media-credit]Sergio Pena, one of the graduates of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program, is looking forward to his freshman year of learning on and off the track. The young up and comer will soon enjoy his freshman run with a new race team on the track, as well as his freshman year off the track as a student at Radford University.
For his freshman year on the track, Pena will pilot the No. 1 Toyota Camry in the K&N Pro Series East with Hattori Racing Enterprises. The 18 year old from Winchester, Virginia had previously raced in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program with Revolution Racing.
“I’m really excited for this season,” Pena said. “I actually did not re-sign with Revolution Racing this year, who I was with for two years, but signed with a new team, Hattori Racing Enterprises.”
“My crew chief and Andy Santerre all left Revolution Racing and merged with Shigeaki Hattori and created a team for me to race in the K&N East Series.”
Santerre, a four-time champion in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, will manage Pena’s race team. He will be assisted by Matt Goslant, who will continue as crew chief for Pena, having worked with him last season, winning three of 12 races and finishing 5th in the East Series point standings.
“I am excited to be working with Sergio again this season,” Goslant said. “He has the talent to be a champion and we are a good team together.”
“He gives me 100% and I could not ask for anything more in a driver.”
Although a freshman with Hattori Racing Enterprises, Pena actually will be entering his third year in the K&N Series. And with that experience, he has his eyes set on one goal for 2012.
“My main goal is to win a championship,” Pena said simply. “The first year I struggled learning all the tracks and how to drive the cars because they were a lot different than anything I had ever driven before.”
“Last year, I learned a lot and I caught on quicker than I thought I would,” Pena continued. “So this year, the way things are looking, I think we have a great chance to win it.”
“My goal is to win as many races as possible and just learn a lot,” Pena said. “I want to be able to get more comfortable at the bigger tracks like Dover and New Hampshire and Rockingham.”
“I want to gain experience and learn as much as I can from these guys.”
Pena, like so many racers, comes by it genetically. His father, who came to the United States from Bogota, Columbia when he was 19 years old raced go karts and dirt bikes in his home country.
“He was a two-time champion in national dirt bike racing down there,” Pena said proudly of his father. “So, that’s pretty cool. That’s where I get my racing blood from.”
Pena himself initially followed in his father’s dirt bike footsteps as he launched his racing career.
“I actually started racing dirt bikes when I was five years old,” Pena said. “I got into jumping them and one time I hit a jump and my dad said, “No more, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“So, he got rid of the bike and got me a go kart instead,” Pena continued. “At the time, I was really upset but now I’m really happy about it.”
“I did go karts from when I was eight years old until thirteen,” Pena said. “Then I moved to a championship series out west and ran road courses in formula cars.”
“Then I had to switch to the ovals, where there was more of a future,” Pena continued. “When we heard about the Drive to Diversity Revolution Racing program, we thought that would be a great opportunity. And that’s how we got into this kind of racing.”
Pena has definitely put his go kart and dirt bike racing behind him, growing fonder for stock cars and oval racing. But the young driver has never forgotten his road racing roots.
“At this point, I like the ovals more,” Pena said. “But there still are some things I like about the road courses, like out-braking people and downshifting and all the switch-back turns.”
“The ovals just bring more excitement,” Pena continued. “You can beat and bang and everything’s really close. It’s a lot harder to win on an oval and so that just makes for more competitive and exciting racing.”
In addition to his on-track career, Pena’s other freshman activity includes starting his college career at Radford University in southern Virginia, where he is majoring in communications. As a freshman, Pena is facing that difficult task of balancing his studies with his new endeavors on the race track.
“It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be with racing,” Pena said. “Missing classes in high school wasn’t too bad but here it’s a little bit tougher to get them to understand that what I’m doing is not just a hobby anymore.”
“Some of them understand but some of them don’t,” Pena continued. “It’s the ones that want you to focus on school and nothing else that are a little tricky. But overall I’ve been able to manage it and I’ll continue to do both until it gets too hard.”
“I really think the communications degree is going to help, like with the media and doing interviews,” Pena said. “I’m also doing media production and I’ve gotten into making videos recently.”
“We have been making videos of the race weekend for promotions and sponsors,” Pena continued. “But being able to speak to the sponsors and the media fluently and well will help me a lot.”
Now that he has his first freshman semester under his belt at college, Pena is looking forward to kicking off his freshman year with Hattori Racing at a storied NASCAR track, Bristol Motor Speedway, on March 17th.
“We actually start off at Bristol this year and that will be pretty cool,” Pena said. “I’ve never even been to Bristol before but I’ve heard a lot of great things about it and watched a lot of races on TV from there.”
“I’m really excited to get started there,” Pena continued. “I think that will be a pretty cool race.”
“I know we will definitely be one of the teams to beat this year.”
