Craven makes Pontiac debut in Bud Shootout Newburgh driver starts two-part race in 6 slot

Newburgh’s Ricky Craven grew up running 20-, 35- and 50-lap features at Unity Raceway and other tracks across the state.

It was pedal-to-the-metal racing.

Craven will return to that format Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway when he joins 18 other Winston Cup drivers for the 70-lap Budweiser Shootout.

The race is for 2002 pole winners and past winners of the Shootout. Craven claimed two poles last season en route to his career-best 15th-place finish in the points standings.

He will start sixth, based on Thursday’s draw.

The race will be broken up into two segments: 20 and 50 laps.

After the first 20-lap segment, there will be a 10-minute intermission and crews can work on the cars.

Craven will be running his first race with Scott Miller as his crew chief and Kent Day as his race engineer and he will be driving a Pontiac after making the move from Fords.

Miller replaced Mike Beam and Day took over for Roy McCauley.

Cal Wells’ PPI Motorsports team also has its own engine program for the first time.

“It’s very exciting. It’s a fun race,” said Craven. “There are no consequences because it doesn’t count in the points and doesn’t affect [where you start in] the Daytona 500 next weekend.

“It’s a prestigious race. This is the fifth time I’ve been in it. It’s like an all-star event. Before I retire to my log home, I am determined to win the trophy from this race,” added Craven, who will be driving a new Pontiac he had never driven until the prerace practices.

But he wasn’t concerned.

“I have confidence in my team,” said Craven.