Rick Crawford Dover Preview
Rick Crawford's Dover International Speedway Results
Date Start Finish Laps Status
6/04/04 4 2 200/200 Running
5/30/03 2 8 200/200 Running
5/31/02 1 3 200/200 Running
6/02/01 2 14 199/200 Running
9/22/00 10 3 200/200 Running
Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10 Laps
5 0 1 3 4 999/1000 (99.9%)
Notes/Quotes
• Dover International Speedway is one of the tracks on which NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rick Crawford shines brightly. The Mobile, AL native has a remarkable record on the concrete oval and is looking to take his success one step further by scoring a victory in the June 3 MBNA 200.
In five starts in Dover, Crawford has one pole, two outside poles and has never started outside the top 10. His finishing record is equally as stout with three top-five and four top 10 finishes. Also, he's completed 99.9% of the potential laps.
"Dover is the type of track that attracts a driver to it because it's one of the toughest places to compete," said Crawford, driver of the No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford F-150. "It proves who is a tough driver. Its nickname, The Monster Mile, certainly fits."
The high-banked one mile oval is unique, but Crawford finds it similar to the track he cut his racing teeth on.
"When I got to Dover for the first time, it reminded me of Mobile (AL) International Speedway," explained Crawford. "Both have elevated straights, which are self cleaning, and high banked corners. Both are drivers' tracks."
In order to achieve success in Dover, Crawford knows he needs a truck with a comfortable handling package.
"Dover is a high speed track and momentum is the key to going fast," said Crawford. "It's a grit your teeth and go kind of place. You need to be able to get off the corner the fast. The driver on the throttle the longest is going to win."
• Kevin 'Cowboy' Starland, crew chief on the No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford F-150 describes Dover International Speedway in three words - exciting, fast, hair raising
"The speeds are so fast it seems like they are going 200 mph," said Starland. "You almost get dizzy watching them go around."
The Chesaning, MI native knows what it takes to be successful on the demanding Dover track.
"Truck clearance and a stable shock package are imperative," said Starland. "The driver needs to be able to keep the truck on the bottom without scraping the track. If the truck hits the track, it upsets it and moves it up a groove. When that happens, other trucks will get underneath. Getting the right setup is a balancing act."
• The No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford F-150 which Rick Crawford will pilot in the MBNA at Dover International Speedway is known simply as chassis No. 9. It has been raced twice in the 2005 season at Martinsville Speedway and Mansfield Motorsports Speedway.
• The MBNA 200 at Dover International Speedway marks Rick Crawford's 206th consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start. Crawford's impressive string of starts, a series record, earned him the nickname ‘Ironman'.
Circle Bar Truck Corral Racing Pit Crew
Crew Chief Kevin ‘Cowboy' Starland
Truck Chief/Rear Tire Carrier Ronnie White
Rear Tire Changer Tim Sanders
Front Tire Carrier Shawn Pincola
Front Tire Changer Bobby Clark
Jackman Gene ‘Gator' Morris
Gas Man Dan Heiser
Catch Can Eric Gifford
Spotter Milt Bishop
Rick Crawford's 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results
Date Track Start Finish Laps Status
2/18 Daytona Int'l Speedway 19 36 10/100 Accident
2/25 California Speedway 14 14 100/100 Running
3/18 Atlanta Motor Speedway 1 29 128/135 Accident
4/9 Martinsville Speedway 14 21 249/250 Running
4/30 Gateway International Raceway 19 5 160/160 Running
5/15 Mansfield Motorsports Speedway 4 6 254/254 Running
5/20 Lowe's Motor Speedway 2 25 119/136 Running
Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10 Points Laps
7 0 1 1 2 755 (16th) 1020/1135 (89.9%)
Rick Crawford's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Totals
Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10
205 3 3 47 97
