Matt Crafton will not return to the No. 88 ThorSport Racing entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, a ride that he has competed behind the wheel of for 24 of his 25 full-time seasons in the series, in 2026. According to a statement from ThorSport Racing, Ty Majeski, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, will take over the driving duties of the team’s flagship No. 88 truck next season.
“ThorSport Racing announces a new chapter for its storied No. 88 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry,” the team said in its statement. “Three-time series champion Matt Crafton will complete his full-time role after the 2025 season. His 23-year partnership with Menards is the longest-running driver/primary sponsor relationship in NASCAR history. Teammate and 2024 series champion, Ty Majeski, will pilot the No. 88 full-time in 2026.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE pic.twitter.com/hsw2m2XoRF
— ThorSport Racing (@ThorSportRacing) August 18, 2025
Majeski driving the No. 88 ThorSport Racing is the first confirmed announcement of a driver or team’s plans for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Keep up with all of the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series silly season moves as they happen with TobyChristie.com’s Driver/Team Chart.
As Crafton seems set to reduce his racing schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the driver has built quite a legacy.
The 49-year-old racer from Tulane, CA, has secured 15 race wins in NASCAR Truck Series competition in 585 career starts. Crafton collected three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championships, including back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014.
Crafton made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Auto Club Speedway in 2000 behind the wheel of the No. 88 ThorSport Racing entry.
This past weekend, Crafton finished 26th at Richmond Raceway, which sealed that he would miss the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs for a second consecutive season. The veteran racer will have seven races remaining this season in the No. 88 entry, and he’ll look to end his tenure in the ride on a high note.
Majeski, 31, will be competing for ThorSport Racing in the Playoffs again this season as he attempts to join Crafton as the only back-to-back NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champions in history. Majeski has amassed six wins over nearly four full-time seasons with ThorSport Racing.
The Wisconsin native, who is seeking his first win of the 2025 season, finished runner-up this past weekend at Richmond Raceway.
