Craven wins spirit award

Newburgh native Ricky Craven, who won his first career NASCAR Winston Cup race in the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 15, was named the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for the fourth quarter of the 2001 season. It was his 174th career race.

The NMPA/Pocono Spirit Award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship, and contributions to motorsports. It is voted upon each quarter by the NMPA membership. Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon won the other three quarters. They will join Craven on the ballot for the annual award, to be presented at the NMPA convention on Jan. 20 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Craven and his PPI Motorsports and Tide Ford team will test at Daytona International Speedway next week.