Matt Craig Back for 2024 Southern Super Series Title Run

When Matt Craig was a youngster he got to watch the family team and the number 54 C&C Boilers car win races and championships in the Pro Cup ranks. Clay Rogers was the driver and the JCR3 Motorsports number 54 machine was the class of the field.

Years later Craig, an accomplished racer, looks back at those moments and remembers what he was thinking watching the family ride take win after win.

“I didn’t think I would be a race car driver,” admitted Craig. “I mean, it was always cool to go to the races when I was 10 years old. I would just hang out, be there the whole time, and didn't know much about what was going on. Clay Rogers was the one driver I remember and he won a lot of races for us. As I got older I got a chance to do what he did in the seat of the 54.”

As the 2024 season gets ready to roll, Craig comes into the year riding a wave of momentum as the team is hungry for a win after a respectable 2023 season. A lot of the team remains the same with owner and father, Jeff Craig, brother, Nicholas Craig, and Crew Chief, Richard Tournear (Mo-Back) as the main pit crew members from the last few years.

The goals remain the same and they look to improve on the 2023 success.

“I think we made some improvements in 2023 and got our cars where we can be competitive and lead laps,” said Craig. “We got a pole at Hickory. We were right there all season long for the Southern Super Series points. We just needed that little bit more, and a little luck to help us finish out a couple of races, but I think the speed was there.”

Craig led the third most laps on the ASA STARS National Tour, despite not running all the races. He was second in the ASA Southern Super Series points in a battle that went down to the final race. He ended the year with a solid fifth-place run in the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL).

“You always remember the last race and the Snowball Derby sticks in my mind,” said Craig. “You know, that first run that day gave me the most amount of confidence. You know, our car was very good on the long runs. We were able to drive up from the middle of the pack and that’s what I hope we can do at Cordele.”

Despite it not being his best track, Craig will kick off his 2024 season eyeing another Super Late Model title like he did with the CARS Tour Super Late Models and PASS Super Late Models in the past.

“We just get a little bit better there each time we go to Cordele,” added Craig. “We are looking forward to getting the season going in Georgia.”

The Southern Super Series will kick off the 2024 season at SpeedFest on January 19th & 20th at Watermelon Capital Speedway at Crisp Motorsport Park (GA). This will be the first season the January event will count for points. For more information log on to www.SouthernSuperSeries.com.

-Story by: Elgin Traylor/Southern Super Series
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America