Craven eager for truck series challenge Season begins at Daytona

After running 1,100 test miles at Talladega and Daytona International Speedway, including “98 percent of the laps in race mode”, an “eager” Ricky Craven is ready to embark upon his first season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series tonight at Daytona in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250.

The 38-year-old Newburgh native, with 278 Nextel Cup races under his belt, will drive the No. 99 Superchips Ford F-150 for Jack Roush Racing.

During Thursday’s qualifying, he posted a fast lap of 179.115 miles per hour, leaving him in the middle of the pack of 42 drivers seeking to make the 36-truck field.

Craven expects to contend for the points championship and wants to “win as many races as I can.”

The ultimate goal is a return to the Nextel Cup series. He left PPI Motorsports last July after 31/2 years. He posted two wins, 10 top-fives and 24 top-10 finishes in the single-car Tide No. 32 car for team owner and president Cal Wells III.

“It’s certainly going to be a change but it’s one I’m looking forward to,” said Craven Wednesday night. “Is it perfect? No. But I’ve never found a perfect situation yet. I’m going to enjoy it. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity I’m determined to capitalize on. I’m very comfortable with where I’m at right now and the path I’ve chosen.”

It has been a pleasant off-season for Craven capped by the birth of his third child, daughter Lydia Cathleen eight days ago. He said Lydia and his wife, K.K., are doing well.

“I have a lot to be thankful for. There’s a lot of good going on in my life,” said Craven, who added he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with K.K., Lydia, 13-year-old daughter Riley and 8-year-old son Everett.

There are only 25 truck races, compared to 36 Nextel Cup events, so Craven said it is important to get off to a strong start. There will be only five truck races between tonight and April 30.

He said his truck had the second-fastest time in a practice session earlier this week.

“It ran well,” said Craven.

Longtime friend and former Tide No. 32 crew chief Mike Beam will be his crew chief and they will have a young pit crew. But he is excited about their potential.

“They’re 22, 24, 25 years old and they have a lot of enthusiasm. They’re hungry. It’s going to be enjoyable working with them,” said Craven.

He reiterated that he has a lot of racing left in him, including some unfinished business in Nextel Cup.

“I’m only in the fifth or sixth inning [of my career],” said Craven.

He intends to treat the truck series the same way he has every other series.

“Whatever I do, I do 100 percent,” said Craven. “That’s exactly how I’m approaching this opportunity with Jack [Roush]. I love to compete. I’m passionate about it.”

He said the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has come a long way in recent years.

“It has changed a lot since it first started. It took some getting used to at first but it is now a series with its own identity. There’s a lot of interest in it now. It has a lot of momentum. The manufacturers are strongly behind it,” said Craven, who will be competing against several former Nextel Cup regulars in addition to veteran truck racers and newcomers.

Four truck racers had previous Nextel Cup seasons in which they finished 11th or higher in points including last year’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champ, Bobby Hamilton [Sr.].

One of the newcomers will be Craven’s teammate, Todd Kluever.

“He’s a bright young man and a good racer,” said Craven, who finished a career-best 15th in the Nextel Cup points three years ago.

Craven was running 34th in points last year when he decided to part ways with PPI Motorsports.

A sub-par engine program that produced poor qualifying efforts and race-day performances was the primary culprit. PPI Motorsports switched to Childress engines in the latter stages of the 2004 season with Bobby Hamilton Jr. in the driver’s seat.