ThorSport Racing has been involved in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series nearly since its inception. With that, the organization kicks off its silver anniversary this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
One would assume a team located far from the epicenter of NASCAR would face many challenges and obstacles. However, twenty-five years on track has proven this is not necessarily the case. The racing organization from Sandusky, Ohio has made its mark on track, earning many accolades over the years.
Making History
Terry Cook piloted their first Truck Series start at The Milwaukee Mile in July 1996. Just one year later, he claimed the first pole award for the team and in 1998, led ThorSport Racing to victory lane for the first time. Both accomplishments occurred at Flemington Speedway in New Jersey.
After that, there was no stopping ThorSport. The esteemed organization would begin to rack up top-five and top-10 finishes, and eventually more wins.
Johnny Sauter’s team goes to work in Miami.
(Photo Credit: Josh Jones)
Incredibly, the first start for current ThorSport Racing driver, Matt Crafton, came in October 2000.
Crafton would bring home the first Championship for ThorSport in 2013. And amazingly, he would follow this with another successful run the next year. This feat allowed him to become the first driver to win back-to-back Truck Series championships.
A Growing Team
The first year as a four truck team came in 2016. Just two years later, in 2018, the organization as a whole amassed 50 top-10 finishes, 26 top-five finishes, three wins, and five poles. As if this were not enough, the quartet led an astounding 590 laps that season.
Another historic year for ThorSport Racing came in 2019 when Grant Enfinger claimed the regular-season championship. A few weeks later, Crafton brought home his third championship for, and with, Thorsport Racing. Ironically, this accomplishment came for Crafton without winning a single race that season – not even the finale at Miami.
Grant Enfinger/Martinsville Speedway.
(Photo Credit: Michael Guariglia/The Podium Finish)
In total, ThorSport has visited victory lane 30 times and started from the pole position 33 times. The stats continue to amaze with 533 top-10 finishes and 253 top-five finishes accumulated over the years.
Looking Ahead
Certainly, this silver anniversary season has the potential to be yet another extraordinary year. The drivers returning to ThorSport Racing as multi-year veterans of the organization include Crafton, Enfinger, Johnny Sauter, and Ben Rhodes.
Ben Rhodes/Miami-Homestead Speedway. (Photo Credit: Josh Jones/The Podium Finish)
In anticipation of the weekend, ThorSport Racing announced special paint schemes for Daytona commemorating their 25th anniversary season.
(Photo Credit: ThorSport Racing)
Catch the trucks in action Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Additionally, you can keep up-to-date with ThorSport Racing and their drivers via Twitter:
ThorSport Racing
Johnny Sauter
Matt Crafton
Grant Enfinger
Ben Rhodes
