Craven continued to improve in 2002

CONCORD, N.C. -- Ricky Craven and the Cal Wells-owned No. 32 Tide Ford team didn't find victory lane in 2002, but they were statistically the best single-car team in the Winston Cup Series.

The team scored nine top-10 finishes --up from seven in 2001 -- but inconsistency dogged Craven after a quick start.

Craven won Bud Pole Awards in two of the first five races, but fell to 19th in the points after wrecking at Fontana in the season's 10th race.

Year in Review  •  Joe Gibbs Racing  •  Chip Ganassi Racing  •  Jasper Motorsports  •  Petty Enterprises  •  The Wood Brothers  •  Hendrick Motorsports  •  Bill Davis Racing    ALSO  •  Miller returns to PPI as Craven's crew chief

The team's top performance of the year came at the Coca-Cola 600, where Craven started and finished third.

It was Craven's second straight full season after a 1997 head injury threatened to end his career. Craven set a personal record in winnings, banking more than $2.4 million, $500,000 more than 2001.

He also completed 94 percent of the competitive laps and registered five less DNFs (four) than 2001.

In 2003, PPI Motorsports and Craven will switch to the revamped Pontiac Grand Prix. Along with a new make, the team also hired Scott Miller to replace crew chief Mike Beam, who went to work with Jeff Green at Richard Childress Racing.