Matt Crafton December news

Sandusky, OHIO (Dec 17, 2001) - With Christmas just a week away, Matt Crafton, 25 of Tulare, California is looking forward chatting live with fans, friends and family.

"I'm looking forward to chatting online with TruckSeries.com," stated Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 SealMaster Racing Chevy Silverado. "I got the chance to chat online before while we were in Daytona last February and it was pretty cool."

Crafton finished his rookie season with the NCTS in 12th place and 3rd in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year chase. The team collected eleven top-10 finishes with the highest finish being 6th, twice, both at Martinsville and Pikes Peak.

"Our goals included finishing in the top-10," stated Crafton. "Overall we had a good first year."

"We have made major changes to our engine program and we hope with those changes and a new sponsor, we will be in the winners circle more than once next year," stated Crafton.

After spending Thanksgiving in Ohio, the Crafton Clan of mom, Jeannie, dad, Danny, fiancée, Jocelyn, and Matt all flew down to the Bahamas for a week. For Matt, scuba diving developed into an exciting adventure when a sting ray spotted him darted his way.

"I don't really care for scuba diving," stated Crafton, "I will stick to racing."

Off-season rituals for the team include taking time to spend the holidays with those whom they usually see very little of during the race season. Matt will be spending Christmas in Ohio along with his sister, brother-in-law, and niece, Taylor, who are flying in from California this week.

"We are hoping that our first Christmas in Ohio will be a white Christmas," stated Jeannie Crafton, Matt's mother. "But with all this rain, we might not get to see snow this year."

Crafton and the No. 88 SealMaster Racing team look to participate in upcoming test sessions prior to the season opening NCTS race in Daytona. A new sponsor is also in the works and hopefully will be announced soon. For Matt, he has a little more than the regular pre-season jitters as 2002 will also include wedding bells for he and Jocelyn sometime in September.

-SMR-