Silly Season, referring to changes and rumored changes in Nextel Cup racing, has begun.

And the numerous changes could provide an opportunity for Newburgh’s Ricky Craven to return to Nextel Cup racing for the first time since 2004.

Among the changes:

. Ray Evernham released Jeremy Mayfield from his ride in the No. 19 Dodge on Friday;

. It appears Robert Yates Racing will be looking for two drivers for 2007, although David Gilliland and young Stephen Leicht are rumored to be among the top candidates;

. Red Bull Energy Drink will have two Toyota teams in 2007 with one ride open; and

. Ken Schrader may not return to drive the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford.

Craven, with 278 Nextel Cup races and two wins to his credit, has spent most of his summer at his Greenville home with wife K.K. and children Riley, Everett and Lydia.

He raced in the TD Banknorth Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and in the Goody’s 250 Busch Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway but that has been the extent of his racing.

“The next month and a half will be an interesting time. I don’t have any plans for the rest of the year, as of today,” said Craven on Friday. “But I didn’t plan to run at Martinsville until a week before the race. That’s the way it works.”

Craven drove for Roush Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series last season and became just the 15th driver to win a race in the Nextel Cup, Busch and the truck series.

Craven and his family will return to their North Carolina home Sunday and that is where most of the race teams are located. That should improve his chances of landing a ride.

“I’ve been out of the loop,” said Craven, who added that he has had a “fabulous summer” with his family.

He admitted that he “misses the competition” of racing but reiterated that if and when he returns to racing, it has to be with a competitive team.

“Racing and competition have always been about establishing goals and objectives. My next objective is to win a truck series championship. Or get with a solid Nextel Cup team which would give me a chance to win a race at New Hampshire [International Speedway]. I still have that desire. I’d love to win a Cup race at New Hampshire. It’s a debt I owe the New England fans and the people who have supported me.

“I’d also like to run a few more Daytona 500s and run at special places like Indianapolis. That was a wonderful experience,” said the 40-year-old Craven, who added he would also consider running for a Busch team if it had a chance to win the points title.