Newburgh’s Ricky Craven was looking for better than a 39th place finish in the Goody’s 250 Busch race at Martinsville Speedway Saturday.

It was his first time in a race car since the season-ending Ford 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race on Nov. 19, 2005 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Fla.).

But Craven and team co-owner Armando Fitz formed an instant bond and they said they will discuss doing future races together next week after Craven runs the TD Banknorth Oxford 250 on Sunday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Craven climbed from a starting 40th spot to 28th within 20 laps in the FitzBradshaw Racing team’s No. 14 Family Dollar Dodge but his brakes gave out and his day ended early after just 66 laps.

“He was a delight,” said Fitz. “He’s so professional. He has a tremendous amount of knowledge and a tremendous amount of experience.

“I’d love to have him in our car for a few more races this year. We were fortunate to have him but I hated that we didn’t give him a good enough car to showcase his talent,” said Fitz. “The brakes melted down pretty good.”

They replaced the brakes but Fitz said they were already 35-40 laps down, the brakes “still weren’t exactly right” and the race was a “wreck-fest” with a track record 19 cautions so they decided to park the car.

Craven called Fitz a “great guy” and said the brake problem cost them a respectable finish.

“The car had potential. We could have had a good day,” said the 40-year-old Craven.

“It was fun. I obviously miss racing,” said Craven, who has 278 Nextel Cup starts and two victories to his credit.

“I told Armando that I was dedicating myself to the Oxford 250 this week but I’d like to talk again after that,” said Craven.

Craven said the odds were stacked against the team because Thursday was the first time he hooked up with them.

“It was a tall order,” acknowledged Craven.

Brakes were also a problem for the driver of the other FitzBradshaw team, the No. 112, piloted by Carlos Contreras. Contreras finished 29th after starting 31st.

Fitz said Craven was also helpful in assessing the race team.

“He pointed out some things he feels will help us,” said Fitz. “We’re open to any advice we can get from someone of his caliber. He has had a tremendous amount of success.”

Greg Ely made his debut as a crew chief for Craven and former Busch North driver Paul Wolfe was debuting as a crew chief for Contreras.

“Paul told me to get Ricky back here for more races because he learned something from him and would love to spend more time with him,” said Fitz.

Craven, who has spent much of the summer vacationing with his family at their Greenville home, said he “wouldn’t rule out racing full time in 2007.

“But it has to be an exciting offer and I want to race in the Nextel Cup series. The only way I’d take a ride in Busch or Trucks is if I can run for the championship,” said Craven, who tested a Johnny Clark Chevy Monte Carlo at Oxford Plains Speedway Monday.

Santerre to race at Wiscasset

Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre will run in a Late Model Sportsman race at Wiscasset Raceway on Friday, Aug. 4.

Santerre won four consecutive Busch North points championships before taking the roles of owner-crew chief for Busch East contender Sean Caisse this season. The 20-year-old Caisse is second in points.

Santerre said Wiscasset Raceway owner Dave St. Clair has been calling him about the prospect of racing and “Dave and his wife, Sandra, have always been real good to me.

“It’ll be good to see a lot of people from Maine, get caught up on what’s going on and do a favor for Dave,” said Santerre. “It’s a 100-lap race so I’ll find out if I’m still in shape.”

St. Clair will pay his expenses and Santerre is hoping to put people in the seats.

Santerre said he hasn’t run at Wiscasset “since the mid-90s.” He won’t run the TD Banknorth Oxford 250 Sunday.

St. Clair will provide him with a car and Santerre said, “I’m sure it will be a decent one.”

He thinks it’s the one Nextel Cup regular Ken Schrader has taken to victory lane in visits to Wiscasset last year and earlier this month.

“I’m younger than Schrader. Hopefully, I’ll win, too,” quipped Santerre.

Santerre is 38 while Schrader is 51.