NASCAR Truck series driver Matt Crafton talks to reporters during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Crafton only needs to start Friday's race to win the season title. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) (The Associated Press)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Matt Crafton has reason to celebrate, and not just because he is close to winning the NASCAR Truck Series championship.
Crafton got a contract extension with ThorSport Racing on Thursday, ensuring him a 10th consecutive season with team owner Duke Thorson.
It's a fitting reward for Crafton considering he wrapped up his first series title last week at Phoenix. He has a 46-point lead over Ty Dillon heading into Friday night's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It's a big enough lead that Crafton only has to start the race to clinch the championship.
Crafton says he's endured "a lot of sleepless nights. You wake up at 2, 3 in the morning asking, 'How can I lose this thing?'"
Realistically, he can't.
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