Ricky Craven through the years

By Staff Report | Published: June 25, 2019 15

Robert Laberge | Allsport

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Ricky Craven came up in racing the old-fashioned way. He had four wins in what is now the Xfinity Series, including this victory at Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway in 1994.

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David Taylor | Allsport

In 1995, he moved up to what is now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series full-time, capturing four top-10 finishes and the Rookie of the Year honors.

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Jamie Squire | Allsport

In his early premier series days, Craven drove the No. 41 Kodiak Chevrolet for Larry Hedrick Motorsports.

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After two full seasons with Hedrick, Craven moved to Hendrick Motorsports. In his first race with the team, Craven (right) finished third, completing a HMS sweep of the top three positions with Jeff Gordon winning the 1997 Daytona 500 and Terry Labonte as runner-up.

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Harry How | Allsport

Craven was driving the No. 25 Budweiser car before Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne eventually carried the brand's bright red-and-white colors. In 1997, he suffered a concussion, and as symptoms persisted in 1998 he was released from Hendrick.

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Craven drove for Scott Barbour's SBIII Motorsports in 12 races in 1999, followed by 12 for car owners Hal Hicks and Mike Witter. In his first race for the latter team at Daytona in July, steering problems dropped Craven to a 43rd-place finish. His best finish with Hicks and Witter -- 13th -- was at Loudon the following week.

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Robert Laberge | Allsport

Craven's luck took a turn for the better in 2001 as he signed on to drive the No. 32 Ford Taurus for PPI Motorsports.

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Donald Miralle | ALLSPORT

Craven won his first Monster Energy Series race at Martinsville in 2001 and by then was making the orange Tide car his own.

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Jamie Squire | Getty Images

Craven didn't get a win in 2002 but rose in the final season rankings to 15th, his best showing in the series standings.

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On March 16, 2003, Craven beat Kurt Busch in the closest finish in NASCAR's top series history with a margin of victory of .002 seconds.

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Jamie Squire | Getty Images

Craven's crew was ecstatic. It turned out to be Craven's last Monster Energy Series victory.

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Craven won the Kroger 200 in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series on Oct. 22, 2005 at Martinsville Speedway. It was his final victory in a NASCAR national series.

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Jason Smith | Getty Images

Craven remains a figure at NASCAR events, here speaking at preseason media days in 2010.

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Matthew Stockman | Getty Images for NASCAR

Craven serves as a broadcaster, and in 2010 interviewed Matt Kenseth before the Daytona 500 for ESPN.

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Robert Laberge | Getty Images

TV personality Craven talked with Brad Keselowski in the Loudon garage in 2016.