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NASCAR champ has troubled history with Gateway

Matt Crafton is a two-time NASCAR Camping World truck series champion. But he's had some very bad luck at Gateway Motorsports Park.

MADISON, Ill. – Gateway 200 is almost two months away, yet Matt Crafton is already mentally preparing.

“This place is definitely one of the race tracks that’s owed me one," said the NASCAR champion.

"We’ve led two different times and got wrecked, blew a right front tire." he said.

Crafton is a two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, an 18-year-veteran of the circuit, yet he's never won at Gateway.

“I always think when I come back to St. Louis, is it gonna be kind to me?" joked the Tulare, California native.

Along with other circuit drivers, Crafton and his team spent much of this past week testing the new pavement at Gateway.

Crafton's truck had to be adjusted several times to get up to speed. After what's happened in the past at the track, Crafton doesn't want to take any unnecessary chances.

“Some of it was other people’s stupidity I was racing around," he said.

Other times it was just bad luck.

“Should have won a few different races here. And I’ve got them taken from me or just a lot of bad circumstances,” he said.

In 2014 Crafton blew a tire while leading. In 2015 and 2016 other cars wrecked him while crashing.

The Menards-sponsored driver hopes this year will be different, especially considering it's his 18th year around the circuit.

"I’ve done it the longest than anyone in the truck series," he said. “I’m very passionate about what I do.”

“Hopefully we can come back here in June and get us one," said Crafton.

The Gateway 200 Presented by CK Power is June 23. Click here for more race information.

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