In the high-octane world of NASCAR racing, it’s not just the drivers and their teams who feel the exhilarating rush of victory or the crushing blow of defeat; sponsors, too, share in this roller coaster of emotions. Case in point, the recent schism between ThorSport Racing, a team with an impressive record in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and its erstwhile sponsor, Road Ranger.
ThorSport Racing, a juggernaut in the Truck series, flaunts six championships in its trophy cabinet. The most recent feather in their cap was added in November of last year, when Ty Majeski, driving the No. 98 Ford truck, thundered his way to the top spot at Phoenix Raceway.
Throughout Majeski’s triumphant 2024 season, which saw him amass three wins, 10 top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten places, Road Ranger firmly stood by his side. Shockingly, the team seems to have chosen to leave these shared victories in the rearview mirror.
The partnership between ThorSport’s No. 98 team and Road Ranger was solidified in 2022, the same year Majeski embarked on his first full-time season with the team. The driver’s two victories at Bristol and Homestead, and his 10 top-five and 15 top-ten finishes in 23 starts, helped pave the way for continued sponsorship. Majeski, eager for further glory, once stated, “Together, we will strive for success on and off the track with the ultimate goal of winning a Championship.”
However, it appears that team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson have decided to reshuffle the deck. Road Ranger, in a heartfelt Facebook post, announced that it was severing ties with ThorSport Racing, a bittersweet decision following three incredible years of sponsorship.
But the plot thickens. According to Road Ranger’s official website, the break-up was not so amicable. The site hints at ThorSport Racing being lured away by a more lucrative sponsorship deal, stating, “We were basking in the glory of our championship win in the truck series, feeling like the kings of the track. But in the blink of an eye, we were pushed off the No. 98 truck by a different sponsor with a bigger offer.”
Despite the severed ties, Road Ranger has found a new team to back, sponsoring Sheldon Creed’s No. 00 Xfinity car under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner. And while this transition has stirred up controversy, Majeski’s career trajectory continues its upward climb.
Majeski’s performance at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series organization test at Rockingham Speedway in late January was nothing short of stellar. Behind the wheel of the No. 98 Ford F-150, Majeski clocked the fastest time on the 1.017-mile short track in Rockingham, North Carolina, setting a new track record.
His time, 21.983 seconds, translates to a speed of 166.547mph, a staggering 20mph faster than the previous track record set in 2013. Following his record-breaking run, Majeski exclaimed, “We’re hauling ass here, I mean there’s no doubt about it.” His hot streak continued into the NASCAR season, with a runner-up qualification at Daytona International Speedway and an 8th-place finish from a 12th-place start in Atlanta.
The split with Road Ranger has not dampened Majeski’s spirit or stunted his progress. As Majeski continues his pursuit of a second Truck Series title, Road Ranger is setting its sights on new horizons with Sheldon Creed. Even in the face of dramatic change, the race goes on.
