Ricky Craven: DHL 400 preview

HICKORY, N.C. -- Ricky Craven, driver of the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet, has one pole, one second-place finish and two top-15 finishes at Michigan International Speedway.

You've had two 15th place finishes in the Tide Ride over the past two June races at Michigan...

"We've run really well in both of those races. In 2002, we had a flat tire and lost a lap. We were the first car one lap down at the end, but we had a car much better than 15th. Last year, we were unbelievable. We took a provisional to start, but drove up to the second position under green. We were really, really smokin'. We got caught up in an incident with a lap car and it tore the fender off our car and we limped home 15th. At the time we were battling Tony Stewart for third."

Why is Michigan one of your favorite racetracks?

"If I were going to build a race track, Michigan would be a great template. And they actually did that with California. The reason why is it is a two-mile track, so you have a lot of speed, but it is unrestricted, so you have corner entry speed fast enough where you have to use some brake. Handling is a premium, but aerodynamics is a big issue and you and mix it up a little... you can run side-by-side or push someone down the frontstretch. It seems like it has all elements of racing. Even fuel mileage plays a factor."

What is your favorite thing to do while visiting Michigan?

"While Michigan is one of my favorite race tracks, it is also one of my favorite places to visit. I love the weather and the environment. There is an enormous ice creamery in Jackson that my family and I frequent.... I can't seem to recall the name, but it is awesome."