Craven to race in NASCAR truck series Driver talented, owner Roush says

Only once in his Nextel Cup career has Newburgh’s Ricky Craven been part of a successful, multi-car conglomerate. That was when he was with Hendrick Motorsports with Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte as his teammates.

Craven, the 1995 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year, officially announced Friday that he will join one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations when he signed a contract with Jack Roush Racing to drive in the Craftsman Truck Series next season.

He will drive the No. 50 Ford which is currently being driven by Jon Wood. Wood will move to the Busch series next year.

Craven will be joined on the team by former American Speed Association driver Todd Kluever, who will drive the No. 99 truck being piloted by Carl Edwards this year.

Three of Roush’s drivers in the Nextel Cup series, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth, qualified for the 10-race chase for the championship.

“This is perfect for me,” said the 38-year-old Craven. “It’s a chance to be a part of a quality organization. Jack Roush has been successful at every level of racing.”

Craven parted ways with Cal Wells III and the PPI Motorsports team in July after 31/2 years in the Tide No. 32 car. He was 34th in points and was victimized by sub-par equipment which led to poor qualifying runs and low finishes.

Craven had hoped to land a ride with a competitive Nextel Cup team for next season but he received a phone call from Jack Roush approximately a month ago and then met with the icon.

“It was a Saturday and Jack was in the midst of the [Nextel Cup] points chase when he called,” said Craven who was obviously impressed that Roush took time from his busy schedule to contact him about the prospect of driving a truck for him.

Craven said the meeting was “fantastic” and he found Roush to be “inspirational.”

“Jack has been a supporter of mine and I have been a supporter of his,” said Craven.

He discussed the deal with his wife, K.K., and they agreed that it was an excellent opportunity.

“Our truck program will be very strong next year with the combination of Ricky and Todd,” said Roush in a press release. “We are lucky to get a veteran driver with the talent and experience that Ricky brings to the table. He will be a huge asset to our program and he will also be a great mentor for Todd.”

Craven had made his debut in a Craftsman Truck Series in the Sylvania 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway in September and had a good run going when he wrecked the truck. He started ninth and was about to move into third place when he wrecked. He finished 31st.

“I had a lot of fun,” said Craven. “The truck series keeps getting better and better and it has gotten the attention of the sponsors.”

He said that he wasn’t going to settle for a Nextel Cup ride if he didn’t feel it was going to be competitive.

“Now that I’ve gotten older, it isn’t just about racing. It’s about racing with an opportunity to succeed,” said Craven who still has a strong desire to eventually return to the Nextel Cup series.

Craven, who won Nextel Cup races in 2001 and 2003, expects to be very competitive and wants to bring Roush another points championship.

Greg Biffle won the 2002 points title in a Roush truck. Biffle is currently driving a Nextel Cup car for Roush.

There will be a 25-race schedule, 11 fewer than in the Nextel Cup series, and 16 of those dates will coincide with Nextel Cup races in the same city.

Will Craven double up and drive a Nextel Cup or a Busch car for Roush at some of those venues?

He will cross that bridge when he comes to it.

“My entire focus is on the truck series and doing everything I can to be successful,” said Craven, who has had a teammate for just 56 of his 278 Nextel Cup races. “If we do what we’re capable of doing next year, I feel I’ll be rewarded [with a Nextel Cup ride].”

Martin has announced his intentions to retire after next season.