CRAFTON BECOMING A DRIVER TO WATCH

Matt Crafton is young, smart, and knows how to put himself in position to win. He's always in contention and his win at Utah earlier in the season gave the California native two consecutive NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series season wins.

Now in his junior year with the series, Crafton is becoming a driver that everyone from the fans to the competitors are starting to take notice of. He has a talent that is readily apparent. There is no question he will make it big, there is only the question of when.

For now he focuses on his driving. And some of the better tracks for Crafton are the tougher ones. Colorado National Speedway may not be the toughest track the series races on, but it is far from the easiest. Crafton did well at CNS earlier this season bringing home a 5th-place finish. Every race is different and has it's own unique characteristics. But no one will be surprised if Crafton has his 2nd podium and 5th top-five finish of the season this Saturday night.

RacingWest: Is the set up for CNS the same as Utah?
Matt Crafton: No, but it is pretty close to the same set-up.

RW: Does the thinner air give less down-force on the spoiler?
MC: No it does not.

RW: I understand the late model division is good up there. Is this the best bunch of locals you see all year?
MC: Yes it is one of the best locals we see.

RW: Thin air equates to less horsepower how do you as a driver compensate for it?
MC: In order to compensate for the lack of horsepower the driver has to drive smoother.

RW: Does the altitude change the way they set the engine and aero packages?
MC: We have to change the jets in the carburetor.

RW: Do you do any extra exercise to get ready for this race?
MC: I prepare for this track by riding my bicycle for an hour a day. Bicycling helps keep my upper body in great shape and gives me the extra boost towards the end of the race.

RW: How would you rate the track at Colorado?
MC: I rate this track about a 7 1/2 (on a scale from 1-10; 10 being the highest). It is a very fast and smooth 3/8 mile track.

RW: What is the trickiest part of the track?
MC: The hardest part of the track is to try and get the car to turn in the middle of the corner.

RW: What is your crew-chiefs name and what was his best call this year?
MC: Danny Crafton is my crew chief. He has made many great calls thus far this season, however the greatest call he made was in Utah. Right before the main event Danny decided to change the set-up a little on the car. Well this little change, ended up making a big difference (I won the main event).

RW: The Southwest Series is one of the best things going. Do you see any way it could be made even better?
MC: I think Danny Grill is doing a great job with the series, however I feel that the series could become even better by increasing the pay.

RW: What is your thought on wheel-tethers?
MC: It is a very good idea to have wheel-tethers, especially because it keeps the fans in the grand stands safer.

RW: Know any good places to eat in the area?
MC: Our team usually goes to the Cracker Barrel Restaurant to eat.