Ricky Craven celebrates his victory in the Kroger 200 at Martinsville. Credit: Autostock

NASCAR veteran Craven wins first Truck race

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Ricky Craven drove the last 145 laps on the same tires and tank of gas, and made Jack Roush the leader in career wins among owners in the Craftsman Truck Series with a victory Saturday at Martinsville Speedway.

The victory was the 37th for Roush in the series and first since Carl Edwards won at Bristol in August 2004. Todd Kluever was second in the Kroger 200, giving Roush Fords their first 1-2 finish since Jon Wood and Edwards did it here in October 2003.

Kroger 200 Official Results Pos. Driver Make 1. R. Craven Ford 2. T. Kluever Ford 3. B. Whitt Toyota 4. T. Musgrave Dodge 5. Ky. Busch Chevrolet • Complete Results, click here Point standings after Martinsville Pos. Driver Finish Behind 1. T. Musgrave 4 -- 2. D. Setzer 19 -54 3. R. Hornaday 9 -222 4. T. Bodine 10 -310 5. B. Hamilton 14 -339 • Official Standings, click here Victory LaneRicky Craven celebrates his Kroger 200 win at Martinsville Taking overTed Musgrave takes the NCTS points lead at Kroger 200 Late wreckBill Lester gets the worse of a late wreck at Martinsville One and doneDarrell Waltrip closes the book on a historic career at Martinsville Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

The race also cost Dennis Setzer the Craftsman Truck points lead. He started with a five-point lead on Ted Musgrave, but had a rough day, finishing 19th to Musgrave's fourth.

Musgrave now leads Setzer by 54 points with four races remaining.

Craven pitted for tires and fuel after 55 laps, took the lead on Lap 106 when most of the leaders pitted under caution and held on with the help of a series of cautions.

In all, the race was slowed nine times for 50 laps, the last 37 with Craven in the lead. It also had a red flag delay that lasted more than 11 minutes with 43 laps to go after a three-vehicle accident left Bill Lester's truck against the outside wall.

Craven, who is leaving Roush after this season, became the 15th driver in NASCAR history to win in all three of its top series. His first Truck series victory came at the track where, in 2001, he won for the first time in 174 career Nextel Cup races.

The victory was a long time coming, Craven said.

"I'm really proud of the team," he said. "We lost our way midway through the season and they stuck with it, stood behind me and we came here and got back on track.

"Our expectations were pretty high, and we honestly fell short. But the fact is when you get to Victory Lane in NASCAR, you've redeemed yourself regardless of how long it takes."

Craven has not announced his plans for next season.

Kluever, like Craven, made his only stop after 55 laps.

Inside the Numbers Drivers with wins in each of NASCAR's top three series Driver Cup Busch Truck M. Martin 35 47 1 G. Biffle 8 17 16 T. Labonte 22 11 1 B. Labonte 21 9 1 T. Stewart 24 1 2 K. Harvick 5 16 2 B. Hamilton 4 1 10 J. Spencer 2 12 1 C. Edwards 2 4 6 J. McMurray 1 7 1 Ky. Busch 1 6 2 K. Schrader 4 2 1 R. Craven 2 4 1 S. Park 2 3 1 K. Kahne 1 3 2

After the Roush drivers, Brandon Whitt finished third in a Toyota, Musgrave fourth in a Dodge and Kyle Busch fifth in a Chevrolet.

Musgrave stopped on pit road for tires and gas during the fourth caution with 106 laps remaining. He emerged running seventh, but never had a chance to catch up.

"We opted to put on tires," Musgrave said. "My call, just to make sure we got no flats or anything happened. Good day for us in points, but the season ain't over yet."

Mike Skinner drove a Toyota with "Thanks, D.W." painted on the hood, a tribute to three-time NASCAR Cup champion Darrell Waltrip, who was in his last Truck race. Waltrip finished 13th, while Skinner went to the garage with 47 laps to go and wound up 33rd.