Contrary [to] published reports, Ricky Craven explained Friday afternoon he has not been hired to drive in 10 Craftsman Truck Series races in 2006.

A press release issued Tuesday by Curry Racing Inc. asserted the Newburgh native would be one of several people to drive for its fledgling NASCAR racing team this year. A look at the Curry Racing Inc. Web site Friday afternoon maintained that assertion.

Craven said Friday he was “baffled” by the report and that there was no truth to the news.

“I haven’t heard from them in months,” said Craven, who is on vacation with his family. “I’m not under contract to anybody. Everything is extremely premature.”

Craven acknowledged he received a call a few months ago from Ray Montgomery of Curry Racing concerning the prospect of him driving a limited schedule for the team, but no agreement was reached, and he hasn’t heard from him since then.

A phone message left by the Bangor Daily News on Friday afternoon with team owner Julius Curry seeking comment was not returned.

On the rickycraven.com Web site, Craven said Friday he also has left messages with Julius Curry and Montgomery seeking to clarify the situation.

Craven said he bears no ill will toward the team and that “I wish them the best of luck.”

But he reiterated that he wants to return to the Nextel Cup Series and is willing to wait until much later in the season before he reconsiders that stance.

Craven raced in the truck series for Roush Racing last season and became only the 15th driver to win in the Nextel Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series when he won at Martinsville, Va.

Craven, who turns 40 in May, parted ways with Roush Racing after one year on his two-year deal. He decided after the season that he wouldn’t take a full-time Busch or CTS ride despite having offers in those series because he wanted to return to the Nextel Cup Series and needed to leave his options open.

“I know it’s a gamble. I put myself in this position when I didn’t sign anything last fall. But my position hasn’t changed and I’m hoping this puts me in a favorable situation down the road,” said Craven.

He wants to drive for a successful or a promising Nextel Cup team and it doesn’t matter if it is just a part-time ride.

If it gets late in the season and he still hasn’t landed a Nextel Cup slot, then he will consider a Busch or CTS ride, he said.

“I miss racing. I’d done it for 24 consecutive years,” said Craven, who hopes to land a ride in any series for the two races at New Hampshire International Speedway in July and September.

He said it’s too early in the season for Nextel Cup teams to make changes and added he needs to do a “better job letting people know I’m available.”

Craven has 278 Nextel Cup races to his credit, including two wins.