Newburgh’s Ricky Craven is a realist.

He understands the ups and downs of being a Winston Cup driver and how to deal with them.

He posted his second career win earlier this season in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. That was among three top-five finishes in the first eight races.

But it has been downhill since then.

He hasn’t had a top-five finish since April 6.

His No. 32 Tide Pontiac has had one problem after another and he has not finished two of the last five races due to engine problems.

His average starting position this season has been a dismal 25.3. His average finish has been 22.7. He has fallen to 24th in the point standings.

“What happened is because of our fast start, everyone lost sight of the risk involved with all the changes,” said Craven. “We have a new crew chief [Scott Miller], a new race engineer [Kent Day], a new engine program and a new car [Pontiac] all in the same season.

“They all create question marks we have to work through,” added Craven. “Scott and Kent are very good guys and they are qualified. But they’re short on experience. And we don’t have the resources of the multicar teams.”

He admits he has suffered his share of frustration with faulty race cars but isn’t going to let it get the best of him or the PPI Motorsports team.

“No one feels the pain any worse than the engine department,” said Craven. “Doing something like that [venting his frustration] isn’t going to help them. If I don’t lend them my support and ultimately help them in any way I can, I’ll just be hurting myself.

“You have to look at the big picture. We’ve got a single-car team competing against conglomerates like Hendrick, Roush, Childress and DEI [Dale Earnhardt Inc.],” said Craven.

Each driver is allowed seven tests, five at Winston Cup tracks, and Craven said that because he doesn’t have a teammate, he isn’t able to share information.

“We ran out of tests in July and that has slowed the process. It means we have to be fast right out of the trailer,” said Craven. “We only have two hours to prepare our car [for qualifying]. If you aren’t fast off the trailer, you run out of time [to develop the proper set-up]. Qualifying is critical. ”

Team owner Cal Wells III has been seeking another full-time sponsor so they can add another driver and race team.

Wells has indicated that he would like a driver with Winston Cup track time. The latest rumor involves Johnny Benson.

The 37-year-old Craven is elated about the two-year contract extension he received that will carry through the 2006 season and the fact Tide extended its primary sponsorship through 2006.

“It’s very rewarding. I’ve never had a three-year contract,” said Craven. “This is a perfect time for me and K [wife K.K.]. The next three years should be very productive.

“This is an example of the support I’ve received ever since I began racing with Cal [three years ago]. We’ve had wonderful sponsors and a great group of people to work with.

“Now Cal and I can have a three-year plan instead of just a one-year plan,” said Craven.

He added that he feels he is in the prime of his career and he wants to “cash in” over the next three years.

There are four races left this season and Craven would like to climb back into the top 20 in points and visit Victory Lane.

“I’d really like to get another win. If we could have a couple of wins this season, it would be a strong finish,” said Craven.