When you've dealt with coyotes during a full moon in the middle of a desert night, keeping up with the likes of Ron Hornaday in the Camping World Truck Series isn't likely to seem very intimidating by comparison.

So it is for Matt Crafton, who last year finished second in the point standings to Hornaday in the Truck Series. Crafton, who drives the No. 88 Chevrolet for Thorsport Racing, spoke recently with NASCAR.COM about his passion for racing the truck and how another of his passions -- joyriding around the sand dunes of California -- almost got him into some serious trouble last New Year's Eve.

Question: Why do you think the Camping World Truck Series has such great appeal with the fans?

Crafton: I think it's where the true racing is, that true fans love to see. It's the kind of hard-nosed racing that people love to see, and more and more people are starting to realize that and follow it for that reason.

I would also say it's more like a proving grounds -- so from the green flag to the checkered flag, we're out there to prove ourselves each and every lap. I'm not saying it's not like that in Cup, but their races are longer and sometimes they can sit back a little. Our races are shorter and we don't have the time to do that.

Q: How does it work out with you living in Mooresville, N.C., and the shop for your truck being located all the way up in Sandusky, Ohio?

Crafton: I go into the shop at least once a month. I truthfully believe it's better for the driver not to be there every day. If you had asked me this seven, eight years ago, I would have said you're crazy to say the driver shouldn't be in the shop every day. But there are so many guys that are working on these race cars, they're always going to have something to complain about; there is always going to be something wrong with something. The driver is quarterback. He doesn't need to get a whole lot of negative in his head. If he does, he's going to start second-guessing stuff.

When you're at the shop, you hear it all the time. ... I lived in Ohio in 2001, 2002 and 2003. And you heard the negative so much, it brought the driver down. I actually talked to Carl Edwards about it in the last year or so, after he moved back to where he's originally from [in Missouri]. He said he thinks it has helped him mentally as well -- just not being at the shop every day and letting the every-day stuff drag you down. (Continued)