Another season of racing has begun at Daytona. For the first time in several years, Maine NASCAR fans are looking toward the 2001 season with a sense of renewed optimism. The signing of Newburgh native Ricky Craven with PPI Motorsports and sponsor Tide fuels that optimism.

Craven’s qualification efforts this Saturday have renewed the interest and support Mainers give their native sons and daughters.

Fans are the number one reason for NASCAR’s success. Ricky Craven realizes the importance of his fan base. That became evident when Craven, newly signed to join the Cal Wells PPI Tide racing team, made it clear he would honor his commitment to attend an autograph session at the recent Northeast Motorsports Expo in Augusta.

The team agreed to meet Craven at Daytona the next day at 6 a.m. to begin the Ford testing session. Craven proceeded to turn in the third fastest speed Tuesday after only two days with the team.

Over the past couple of years Craven has had more time to spend with his family at his camp in Maine. He realizes now the time has come with this opportunity to become a part of competitive team. His schedule, which allows him the chance to run the full championship series, will make spending time with his family more difficult.

Most people have a weekend to wind down from their work week. Beginning with Daytona, top drivers on the NASCAR circuit this year will only have four weekends when there are no Winston Cup races. With each week Craven will now need to guard his family time more than in years past, especially these last 21/2 years.

Since fans are NASCAR’s claim to its popularity, several Craven fans who showed up at the Motorsports Expo were asked their reaction to the “Tide Ride.”

Isabel Smith of Winthrop said Craven’s background attracted her to become a fan.

“What attracted me to him most was this small-town guy making good, plus my brother used to carry him on his school bus,” Smith said.

Jesse Dodge of Unity is predicting a big season for Craven.

“I think it’s a real good move for Ricky. I think he will be in the top 15 in points this year,” Dodge said. “I started racing with him when he was Rookie of the Year at Unity. I was a rookie, too.”

Make-A-Wish child Kyle Fitzherbert of Bath, with his oxygen bottle in tow, is a fan who benefited from Craven’s fund-raising recently with the Snowmobile Charity ride in Maine. When young Kyle was asked what he wanted to say to Ricky, he happily replied, “Good Luck Ricky in the Tide Car!”

Several fans, feeling Craven has a chance to be competitive after a couple years with an under-financed team, were very enthused about their driver’s possibilities in 2001.

Devout fan Gary Sirois of Sydney brimmed with enthusiasm when making a prediction on Craven.

“You can quote me, Ricky’s going to win a race this year, guaranteed, bet the farm,” Sirois said.

When asked if he would go out on a limb to predict the race Craven would win, Sirois said, “The Monster Mile, Dover [Del.], he’s good on short tracks!”

Racing veteran Gardiner Leavitt of Action Racing has Winston Cup connections. His son Steve works for Eel River Racing in North Carolina and his son-in-law works in the Jeff Gordon shop.

“I believe it’s a good move for him. They have got good equipment and he’ll do pretty well,” Leavitt said. “I think he will be qualifying better, time will tell.”

Just as baseball spring training brings with it an air of optimism for the upcoming season, so does the beginning of a new season in NASCAR. One thing for sure though, is that Craven has lots of support back in his home state.