Craven named USG’s Person of the Year

Ricky Craven of Newburgh, driver of the No. 32 Tide Pontiac for PPI Motorsports in the Winston Cup series, has been named the USG Person of the Year.

The award honors drivers for their community service efforts and charitable contributions as well as their driving. Craven has sponsored the Ricky Craven Charity Snowmobile Ride around Moosehead Lake for the past six years and has raised more than $500,000 for charities like the Marrow Foundation, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Travis Roy Foundation and Give Kids the World.

The seventh annual ride will be held Saturday, Jan. 31.

Craven received $100,000, which was supposed to be divided evenly between Craven and his charities. But Craven donated his share to his charities.

“I’m extremely honored by this recognition, but there’s a lot of people I want to share it with,” said Craven. “This award really should go to all the volunteers who have helped us so selflessly, to my family and friends, and to the drivers and all the race fans who’ve helped us raise money for these wonderful charities.”