Rick Crawford Kansas Speedway Preview
O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 Kansas Speedway Kansas City, KS July 1-2, 2005 Rick Crawford's Kansas Speedway Results Date Start Finish Laps Status 7/03/04 4 3 167/167 Running 7/05/03 13 23 106/167 Engine 7/06/02 5 12 165/167 Rear End 7/07/01 10 8 166/167 Running Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10 Laps 4 0 0 1 2 604/688 (87.8%) Notes/Quotes • Since 2004, the Circle Bar Truck Corral Racing team has prominently displayed the logo of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) on the tailgate of its No. 14 Ford F-150. Team owner Tom Mitchell served in the SAC, under the command of General Curtis E. LeMay, at Loring Air Force base in Limestone, Maine. He worked as an A&E mechanic on the B-36 Peacemaker. His truck, which competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, carries the logo as a tribute to the men and women who served in this important military organization. "The Strategic Air Command logo on the truck is a part of me," said Mitchell. "It represents the strength of the United States, better known as the ‘big stick'. It was an honor working under the command of General LeMay. I think he was the greatest man there ever was." "Carrying the logo is Circle Bar Racing's way of showing appreciation to the many men and women who serve in the military today, especially the Air Force. Their service to our country preserves our freedom." The SAC was formed in 1946 to maintain a global nuclear deterrent force. SAC maintained an everyday capability to carry out conclusive long-range aerial bombardment against any target in the world. It conducted strategic air operations on a worldwide basis and was ready to support area commanders by attacks on suitable tactical targets. It was capable of launching nuclear attacks which would destroy an enemy's war making capacity to the extent that it no longer would have the will or ability to wage war. SAC had numerous bases located throughout the world. In 1992, the end of the cold war and a major restructuring of the United States Air Force saw the stand down of the SAC. For more than forty years,SAC's motto proclaimed, ‘Peace is Our Profession' and it had fulfilled its mission. • Rick Crawford is one of seven drivers who have competed in all four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway. The Mobile, AL native has a solid record on the 1.5 mile speedway with one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He has also led 128 laps, the most of any Truck Series driver. "Kansas is a good track for us," said Crawford, driver of the No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford F-150. "We've had some great runs and lead a lot of laps. This year with Cowboy and his experience here, we are confident we have a good chance to score a victory." • Crew Chief Kevin ‘Cowboy' Starland has enjoyed success at the Kansas Speedway, winning last year's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race with Carl Edwards. In 2005, he returns with Rick Crawford and the Circle Bar Truck Corral Racing team hoping to score a repeat win. "It's always exciting to go back to a track where you've had a win," said Starland. "It's hard to repeat but we have a driver, truck and team capable of winning. We've had strong trucks on one and a half mile tracks this year and I'm glad to back in Kansas." • The No. 14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford F-150 which Rick Crawford will drive in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at the Kansas Speedway is chassis CB-15. Earlier this season, Crawford drove CB-15 at Gateway International Raceway, Lowe's Motor Speedway and Michigan Speedway. Circle Bar Truck Corral Racing Pit Crew Position Team Member Hometown Crew Chief Kevin ‘Cowboy' Starland Chesaning, MI Truck Chief/Rear Tire Carrier Ronnie White Polkville, NC Rear Tire Changer TBA Front Tire Carrier Shawn Pincola Cadiz, OH Front Tire Changer Bobby Clark Wyandotte, MI Jackman Gene ‘Gator' Morris Adrian, GA Gas Man Dan Heiser Princeville, IL Catch Can Eric Gifford Mayfield, NY Spotter Milt Bishop Milwaukee, WI Pit Support Adam Crawford Mobile, AL Pit Support Brandon Abernathy Cleveland, GA Rick Crawford's 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results Date Track StartFinish 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 6/4 Dover International Speedway 21 11 200/200 Running 6/10 Texas Motor Speedway 2 19 164/167 Running 6/18 Michigan International Speedway 3 6 100/100 Running 6/24 Milwaukee Mile 12 8 199/200 Running Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10 Points Laps 11 0 1 1 4 1283 (13th) 1683/1802 (93.4%) Rick Crawford's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Totals Starts Wins Poles Top 5 Top 10 209 3 3 47 99