The Frontstretch: Matt Crafton WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race in NC Education Lottery 200 posted by Kim DeHaven -- Saturday May 17, 2008

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Matt Crafton WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race in NC Education Lottery 200

Saturday May 17, 2008

WIX FILTERS LAP LEADER NOTES FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATION LOTTERY 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES RACE AT LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY, MAY 16, 2008.

· Matt Crafton led twice for 10 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in tonight’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200. He claimed the award for the first time this season. In fact, tonight was the first race Crafton has led in 2008. He is the fourth different driver to claim the honor this season.

· Crafton won tonight’s race, his first victory in 178 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. He crossed the finish line .184 seconds ahead of second-place Chad McCumbee.

· Crafton scored his 11th top-five finish and 57th top-10 effort in his first superspeedway victory in 132 starts on track one-mile or larger.

· Crafton is fourth in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, 45 points behind leader Ron Hornaday Jr. He is seven points behind third-place Todd Bodine and leads fifth-place Dennis Setzer by 12 points. He gained three positions in the standings with his victory tonight.

· Crafton collected his third top-five and third top-10 finish of the 2008 season.

CRAFTON QUOTES: “It’s awesome. Perseverance pays off and we never gave up. I’ve got a really good group of guys behind me and have great owners, Duke and Ronda Thorson. The crew chief is awesome and they all believe in me and I believe in them and that’s what it’s all about in this deal. Never give up and just put yourself in the right position each and every week and you’re going to get wins. I’ve won in a lot of series, in everything that I’ve ever raced in. I mean, it’s been a black cloud following me for a long time so finally the black clouds have moved on and maybe we can get a few more this year.”

· Ron Hornaday Jr. and Todd Bodine are tied for the lead (2-2) in the WIX Filters Lap Leader standings.

WIX FILTERS LAP LEADER AWARD STANDINGS

Todd Bodine 2
Ron Hornaday Jr. 2
Dennis Setzer 1
Matt Crafton 1

WIX FILTERS LAP LEADER AWARD WINNERS BY RACE

EVENT DRIVER
Chevy Silverado 250 Todd Bodine (49 laps)
San Bernardino County 200 Todd Bodine (25 laps)
American Commercial Lines 200 Ron Hornaday, Jr. (81 laps)
Kroger 250 Dennis Setzer (126 laps)
O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 Ron Hornaday, Jr. (136 laps)
North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Matt Crafton (10 laps)

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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.