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NASCAR BGN: Ricky Craven looks forward to Busch race as non-owner

18 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - Ricky Craven has pulled double duty as the driver and owner of a NASCAR Busch Series team since 1994. That's not the case this weekend as the Busch Series invades North Carolina Speedway on Saturday for the Sam's Club 200.

Craven, 34, sold his No. 23 Chevrolet to Emerald Performance Group which fields the No. 19 Yellow Freight/Pameco Chevrolet driven by P.J. Jones. The team also hired Craven to replace Jones as the driver for the remainder of the year.

"I'm closing out the season a little different than I started, but the objective is the same," said Craven who will drive the No. 19 AGREE Shampoo and Conditioner Chevrolet before the team switches back to Yellow Freight for the remainder of the year. "We want to win, but instead of doing it with my own team I'm driving for David Ridling. The team is taking the same approach to do whatever it takes to win a race.

"There is a sense of urgency since we are only running three of the last four races (Rockingham, Phoenix, Homestead). It's a matter of teamwork and finding the right chemistry to make things work, but I think the team has potential to contend for a victory this year."

Judging by Craven's past performances at North Carolina Speedway, a victory could happen sooner than they thought. He was the Busch Series Rookie of the Year in 1992, finished second in points in 1993 and 1994 and has seven top-10's in 11 career Busch races at "The Rock." His best finish is third, which he achieved in 1994,1996 and1997.

"I've had some great runs in the Busch races at Rockingham," said Craven. "Hopefully my past success here will carry over to this weekend and we can turn things around for the team. Winning is still the most important thing on our minds and we're going to do everything we can to make that happen."

Text Provided By John King

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