Craven last visited Victory Lane at Darlington in 2003 after a memorable battle with Kurt Busch. Credit: Autostock

Happy Craven ready to begin new journeys

Truck Series run, fatherhood on horizon for New England driver

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ricky Craven has plenty of reasons to smile these days.

His wife, Cathleen, is due to deliver the couple's third child sometime in February. His driving career is back on track with Roush Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series.

And his beloved Boston Red Sox are champions of the world.

"Have you noticed there are a lot more Red Sox hats these days?" Craven wondered aloud during NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway.

There are, but Craven's is older and worn, the sign of a true member of Red Sox nation.

	Ricky Craven has two wins in NASCAR's premier series. Credit: Autostock
	RICKY CRAVEN •   Driver Page •   2004 Stats •   Store: Ricky Craven gear!

Some may joke that Craven himself is older and worn, having been banished to the Truck Series after his release from Cal Wells' Nextel Cup team last year.

But driving the No. 99 Ford for Jack Roush is no joke to Craven. And neither is the Truck Series, which is home to more manufacturers than any other NASCAR division.

"I expect life will be different in roughly 30 days," Craven said. "My wife is expecting our third child. Between personal and professional, there's going to be a lot of change for me.

"The circumstances surrounding this opportunity are perfect. I have high regard for the Craftsman Truck Series, the competitors and the identity that it has. I am looking forward to being a part of that from a broader perspective, being successful in the Craftsman Truck Series. So the changes for me are plenty.

"We'll have a third addition to our family sometime in mid-February, and we're going to have a new team, a new focus. I'm not going to tell you there won't be withdrawals, but I've been part of the Cup Series for a decade, and there's no question that from a competitor's standpoint that's always been the draw.

"But this is the path I've chosen, and it's a great opportunity. I want to capitalize on it."

Craven used that line of thinking several times during a discussion with media members recently. He realizes what a good chance driving for Roush in the Truck Series could be for his career.

Craven was a rising star in NASCAR several years ago, joining Hendrick Motorsports in 1997 after moving up the ladder from Busch North, Busch Series and Cup racing.

But a head injury from a crash in 1998 left Craven's career in doubt. He later said he came back too soon, eventually spending most of the next three years out of the race car.

In 2001, Wells hired Craven, and the move paid off with the first two victories of Craven's career. Both were thrillers, with Craven holding off Dale Jarrett at Martinsville in 2001 and beating Kurt Busch in a classic metal-banging duel at Darlington in 2003.

But Wells' single-car team struggled with luck and performance in 2004, and Craven was let go after 26 races. Firing hurt, but losing likely hurt Craven more.

"There's nothing comfortable about losing," Craven said. "We had a miserable year last year. There's nothing comfortable about that."

Craven made an appearance at New Hampshire in a truck last year, and many wondered whether another former Cup driver would make the move to trucks. Drivers like Bobby Hamilton, Mike Skinner, Ted Musgrave, Jack Sprague and Johnny Benson had all found a home in the trucks after their Cup careers stalled, so why not Craven?

	2004 NCTS AT A GLANCE •   Results •   Standings •   Best 25 Over Last Six Races •   Best Starts •   Best Finishes

Last November, Roush hired Craven as the replacement for Carl Edwards, who was moving to Nextel Cup.

"This is fresh," Craven said. "My first experience with a truck was last year at New Hampshire, and it left an impression. I also left an impression on the Turn 1 wall.

"It's fresh, it's a lot of fun. I like the way they drive, I like the momentum this series has. Even testing is different. We tested at Talladega, and it was fun for me again."

But don't for a second think Craven has abandoned hope of getting back to Nextel Cup.

"I feel like I've got some unfinished business there," Craven said. "Whether I get back or not depends on capitalizing on this opportunity."

And that means winning races, running up front, just what Edwards did last year. Edwards won three times -- including the season-opener at Daytona -- and finished fourth in the points standings in 2004.

Craven expects to do as well, if not better, than that.

"Mike Beam coming on as my chew chief is big," Craven said. "I'll be in Daytona with the crew chief I've had for three years, went to Victory Lane with, a team that had made some great accomplishments, and a lot of support. We had a lot of success last year, and I just want to capitalize on the opportunity. It's a good one.

"What an opportunity. I'm glad to be with Roush. I'm glad to be a part of their organization. Obviously, it speaks for itself. Going into 2005, my expectations are high, Jack's expectations are high, and we're going to exhaust ourselves to be a contender for this."

And maybe Craven can end 2005 the way he started: with a broad smile.

"It's perfect for circumstances," Craven said. "I'm looking forward to this because I believe we're going to have an opportunity to battle for this title. I have tremendous confidence in the people surrounding the Superchips team."