CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 41 Kodiak Chevrolet, driven by Newburgh native Ricky Craven, will carry a badge of honor at Phoenix this week in the form of a No. 24 decal on the car.

It’s Craven’s way of support and good wishes for Boston University hockey player Travis Roy, who was paralyzed when he crashed into the boards during BU’s first game of the season this past weekend. Roy’s uniform number is 24.

The 20-year-old Roy, a BU freshman, is a special friend of Craven. Roy’s father, Lee, was a crew chief on Craven’s team when he ran the American/Canadian Tour Series in 1988 and 1989. Travis Roy also served as a crew member on Craven’s team.

In addition to the decal on the No. 41 Monte Carlo during the NASCAR Winston Cup race, Craven is supplying the Kodiak crew members with No. 24 patches to wear on their pit-crew uniforms at the track.

“I was absolutely stunned and shocked when I heard the news about Travis’ accident,” Craven said. “He is a bright, athletic young man who had worked hard to attain his goal of playing hockey with BU, and he is very, very special to me. His whole family is wonderful. They’ve been friends of mine for a long, long time.”

Craven added, “I want to do something special for him, and perhaps the decals and patches will help in some way. Our prayers are for a complete recovery for Travis. We’re fully behind him and his family. I intend to fly up there to visit with him next Tuesday or Wednesday.”