Matt Crafton misses Truck Series playoffs for the first time

RICHMOND, Va. — For the first time ever, Matt Crafton won’t compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs this fall. 

The three-time NCTS champion finished 15th in Saturday’s regular season finale at Richmond Raceway. Crafton missed the playoffs, while Taylor Gray, Ben Rhodes and Daniel Dye secured the final three spots. 

Crafton entered Saturday’s race -43 to the playoff cutline, needing to win to secure his spot. He looked to be in an okay position to possibly make a strategy play until he spun out on lap 129, ending his hopes.

It’s been a disappointing 2024 for Crafton. He’s only earned five Top-10 finishes with three of them coming in the first five races, including his lone Top-5 (fourth at Bristol).

The downturn didn’t begin this season. Crafton’s last Championship Four appearance was in 2021. 2020 saw his last trip to victory lane, at Kansas Speedway, which followed up a winless NCTS championship season the year before.

At 48 years old and with a decline in performance, the finish line of Crafton’s 24-year career seems to be rapidly approaching.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take next week off. Then, they will open the playoffs August 25 at The Milwaukee Mile. The LiUNA! 175 will go green just after 4 p.m. ET.