Matt Crafton at the wheel of the No. 88 Silverado at Daytona. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Like most drivers, Matt Crafton has always had an affinity for racing at tradition-soaked Daytona International Speedway. According to Crafton, however, the famed 2.5 mi. tri-oval hasn't exactly rolled out the welcome mat for him during his previous visits. As Friday night's Silverado HD 250 and the start of the '07 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season approaches, Crafton is confident that this time around will be different.

"I love Daytona, but based on my previous finishes here, the track doesn't seem to like me," Crafton joked. "It's an awesome place to race, with all of the history and excitement, and I'm thrilled to be back here and to get the season started. I'm hopeful we can turn our luck around at Daytona a little, and establish early momentum for the season." Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Menards/Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Silverado, has collected 66 career top-10 finishes, but has finished no better than 11th in six career starts at Daytona. He finished 26th last season.

"Speedway racing is a blast, but there's always the danger of getting caught up in someone else's mess because we're racing so close together," Crafton said. "Things can happen in a hurry, and you can get swept up in a bad situation. The big key at Daytona is to be patient and try to stay out of trouble, so we can give ourselves a chance to be there at the end."

Crafton is entering his 7th full season in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition, and the ThorSport Racing veteran believes the competition in the series has never been stronger. "The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series continues to be super-competitive, and you've got to show up each week focused and committed," he said. "You have to keep working to get better, and continue to find the best ways to do things."

The Tulare, CA. native believes the No. 88 team is on the right track. "I think we've taken the right steps, and we keep improving and continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together," he said. "We had some real good runs last year, and just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. I feel like we're in a position to do some special things, and we're ready to go."

SPEED Channel coverage of the Silverado HD 250 at Daytona International Speedway begins at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday.