Since being fired by Hendrick Motorsports midway through the 1998 season, all Newburgh’s Ricky Craven has wanted is an opportunity to prove himself with a competitive Winston Cup team. His next two rides, with SBIII Motorsports and Midwest Transit Co., offered him limited opportunities.

His wish has now been granted.

Craven was officially named as the driver of the Tide No. 32 Ford for PPI Motorsports during a Wednesday afternoon teleconference call with PPI Motorsports president and owner Cal Wells III.

Craven signed a multi-year deal and will replace Scott Pruett, who was released from his duties after one year behind the wheel. Craven will be part of a two-car team with Andy Houston, who will drive the No. 96 McDonald’s Ford.

“This decision came awfully easy for me. This is a class operation that I recognize as being a championship contender in the future. I just want to be a part of it. It’s a phenomenal opportunity,” said Craven, who could only run 16 of the 34 Winston Cup races in the Midwest Transit Chevy this past season because the team didn’t have a primary sponsor. That resulted in limited resources.

The 34-year-old Craven went on to say Wells’ team is “mechanically, as good as any opportunity I’ve ever had. This car will be prepared, in my opinion, better than any I have ever sat in. It will be pulled by an engine that is second to none.

“What is also really exciting is representing one of the world’s largest companies. And I will be surrounded by people I am very comfortable with,” added Craven, whose crew chief will be veteran Mike Beam.

Craven decided to leave Midwest Transit Co. last month when it became evident owner Hal Hicks hadn’t secured a primary sponsor to ensure he could run the entire 36-race schedule next year.

“I didn’t want to run a limited schedule and I wanted to give them some time to find somebody else. I was without a job for a couple of weeks there,” said Craven.

But Wells and Craven got together and Wells decided Craven was the man for the job in the No. 32 car.

“Ricky is extremely hungry and extremely talented,” said Wells. “He’s an athlete with a tremendous upside. Even though he’s [only] 34, he has decades worth of experience and is very focused.

“He has been a proven winner, a multi-winner, at every level except Winston Cup,” said Wells, who is convinced Craven can be a winner at the Winston Cup level with the support and resources he is going to provide for him.

Wells said Craven has received a bad rap including the belief he hasn’t been the same since his injury problems resulting from major accidents at Talladega and Texas Motor Speedway. He was eventually sidelined for four months with post-concussion syndrome and an inner ear problem.

Wells said the PPI team had Craven put through a battery of medical tests and finalized the deal only after Craven was given a completely clean bill of health.

“I think some decisions were made about him that were based on real falsehoods. We have ourselves a fine young man who can press the buttons and make the race car run very fast, very safely and very sanely,” said Wells, who also considers Craven a fierce competitor.

Craven, who posted three top-20 finishes in his last five races with Midwest Transit, said in addition to Wells, the team and the shop, he has also been impressed by his new crew chief.

“Mike Beam is one of the five most recognized names in Winston Cup racing the last 10 years,” said Craven, who will have significant input. “And that doesn’t come for free. He has established a credibility in the sport. He has a keen desire [to succeed].”

Craven won’t run any Busch Grand National races because “I want to devote 100 percent of my time to the Tide team.”

The 1995 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year will begin his career by testing at Daytona International Speedway next week in preparation for the series’ first race: the Daytona 500 in February.

“And we believe we can go to the Daytona 500 and win it. I’m really excited about it,” said Craven, who has never won a Winston Cup race in 144 starts but has seven top fives and 17 top 10s.

Craven said he has learned a great deal about himself, his weaknesses as well as his strengths, over the past three seasons.

“I am better prepared than I was when I took the Budweiser ride [for Hendrick Motorsports four years ago],” said Craven.

Craven and Wells both said they hope this is a relationship that lasts for a long time.

“I believe we’ll have a chance to win races for several years and I believe we can win this year,” said Craven. “I wasn’t sure I would ever receive another chance like this.”