Craven earns first quarter USG honors

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Despite temperatures in the single digits back on January 25, well over 500 winter weather enthusiasts joined NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Ricky Craven in his home state of Maine to participate in the sixth annual Ricky Craven Charity Snowmobile Ride. The event totaled nearly $200,000 in contributions that were targeted to numerous charities, the most money raised in the history of the ride.

For his efforts in staging the event and generating significant charitable funds, Craven has been named the 2003 First Quarter NASCAR USG Person of the Year.

USG, the Official Building Products Supplier of NASCAR, is in its first year as sponsor of the NASCAR USG Person of the Year program. The award is designed to honor drivers, not only for their accomplishments on the track, but for their community service contributions and charitable efforts.

"Our annual snowmobile ride generates lots of donations and I'm thrilled to be able to pass that on to the charities," said Craven, driver of the No. 32 Tide Pontiac and currently seventh in the NASCAR Top 10 championship standings.

"I know that there are many folks out there that are really having difficult times and it's great that I can help some of those folks in need by working with various charities," Craven said. "One of the commitments that I made to myself is that I'll always try to help those less fortunate, and to be recognized for this gives me great pleasure."

Craven, who provided one of the closest finishes in NASCAR Winston Cup Series history with a side-by-side, .002-second victory over Kurt Busch at Darlington in March, has raised over $500,000 as host of the Snowmobile Ride. Monies from the event benefit charitable organizations such as The Marrow Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Travis Roy Foundation and Give Kids the World.

"While I've been selected for the award, I know that all the guys I race with each weekend all donate their time to great causes," said Craven. "Really, every one of the drivers, and for that matter, most of the members of the NASCAR community, all pitch in to help the various charities."

For the purpose of determining the NASCAR USG Person of the Year Award winner, the NASCAR Winston Cup season has been divided into four quarters in which drivers are nominated for their off-track efforts. A select group of panelists will select one of the four quarterly finalists as the NASCAR USG Person of the Year. This award will be presented the week of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Awards Ceremony in New York City, along with a prize of $100,000. The prize will be divided evenly between the driver and the charity of his/her choice.

In addition to the NASCAR USG Person of the Year, USG also sponsors the Driver of the Race Award, which goes to the eligible driver who wins each of the 36 NASCAR Winston Cup championship events. Each USG Driver of the Race Award winner receives $2,500 with an additional $2,500 going to the charity of his/her choice.