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NASCAR WCUP: Ricky Craven to Drive for Midwest Transit Racing

29 June 1999

Concord, NC-- Lake Speed, General Manager of Midwest Transit Racing, has announced Ricky Craven will be piloting the #50 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, July 3rd.

"I'm excited to have Ricky come drive for us," said Speed "His past accomplishments and experiences that he will be able to bring to our race team and the fact he has already worked with John Monsam is a big plus, they know each other and there's chemistry there."

Since the release of Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, Dan Pardus, Speed has been interviewing experienced Winston Cup Drivers to fill the seat. After a meeting between Craven, Speed and team owners Hal Hicks and Mike Witters, they came to an agreement on Craven driving.

"Ricky has a competitive nature," said Speed "This will be really good for the race team and the crew members because people know Ricky has won races, qualified on the pole and finished well in races. It gives everybody here more incentive, encouragement and to be more optimistic on the future of Midwest Transit Racing."

The team's new crew chief, John Monsam needs no introduction to Craven. In 1994, he was Cravens Crew Chief in the Busch Grand National Series for the #2 Dupont Automotive Chevrolet. Together they finished 2nd in the final point standings.

"Ricky and I have maintained a good relationship since we parted ways a few years ago" said Monsam. "To work together again is really good for me. The position I'm in I need somebody who can give me input, some guidance and a driver of Ricky's caliber is just a great benefit to me."

Ricky Craven's NASCAR career has had pole positions and scoring victories in all of NASCAR's major divisions, including the Busch Grand National North championship in 1991. In 1995 he joined the NASCAR Winston Cup ranks and captured NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the year title. His first victory was in 1997 in the Winston Open at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"There is so much about this team that is exciting", said Craven "They have great people, many that I'm already familiar with. I just think this opportunity is going to be the most fun I've had in a long while".

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