Chat Transcript: Ricky Craven
October 19, 2001
10:44 AM EDT (1444 GMT)
[NASCAR_Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Ricky Craven!
[Ricky_Craven] I just want to tell the world what a great week it has been! I have spent a large part of my life thinking about winning a Winston Cup race and finally we were able to do it on Monday. I just want to thank all the fans for making the sport what it is and making this week so special.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [SPark lover] Ricky, congratulations on an awesome race Monday. My question is what are your plans for the remainder of the season and are you remaining with the same team next year? Thanks!
[Ricky_Craven] Well, we have six great races coming up. We are prepared for each of them with the Tide Ford and I am signed through 2002 with PPI and Tide. I can't imagine racing for anyone else, to be honest. It is really just been a great year.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [rickyfan32] Are drivers more aggressive this year or does it just seem that way because of all the TV coverage of altercations?
[Ricky_Craven] I really believe that the competition or the parity among cars is closer than ever, and because of that, it is more difficult to pass and that creates closer, tighter racing. As a result, you will have some incidents.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [sdim3] How does it feel knowing you were the FIRST driver to get the No. 32 into Victory Lane ever? That will always be in the NASCAR history Books!
[Ricky_Craven] That is one of the things that I learned on Tuesday! I am really proud of that.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [GO24flames] Ricky, what did your daughter have to say about your win? Is she one of your biggest fans?
[Ricky_Craven] That was a great part of the victory because my little girl, who is sitting next to me right now, was in school and when we won the headmaster came across the PA system and said that Riley Craven's dad just won the Winston Cup race. That was just a great story when I got home and we got together and she told me.
She also makes or gives me good luck charms every week. That is something that we have done all year long. She gave me some beads that she put together. They were different colors, for good luck, strength, success and energy. She was the reason we won, believe me.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [nascarluv] What is the hardest aspect of a Winston Cup race?
[Ricky_Craven] The fact that you have to run hard every single lap and there are so many great drivers in this series that it makes winning special. Personally, the hardest part is of course being away from your family.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Arctic Cat] Are you and your team better at shorter tracks than longer tracks, and if so what are you all doing to equal it all out?
[Ricky_Craven] I really believe we have shown speed at all the tracks. We have qualified top-5 or top-10 at Talladega, Michigan, Daytona, and on and on. We have great balance. It is a reflection on the people at the shop who have built me some great cars, particularly at the halfway mark. We have been running our own cars, in-house cars. That has been a big bonus.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [TALLADEGA2001] How do you feel about having to wear head and neck restraint devices?
[Ricky_Craven] I commend NASCAR for making that mandatory. I feel that will become as common as the helmet or firesuit as it relates to safety.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Chevy] Ricky, what kind of personal vehicles do own?
[Ricky_Craven] Well, I drive a Ford Expedition and my wife has a Volkswagen Beattle. That was a 30th birthday present. You can't drive it and you can barely get a ride in it!
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [kellythe3fan] Ricky, what do you do to prepare for the races?
[Ricky_Craven] It has become more of a routine, but it is diet and exercise. The greatest contributor is actually sleep. That is also the greatest challenge too, to get the sleep you need. I also stretch and have a diet for race morning. I always start loading up on fluids on Wednesday prior to the race.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [nascarfan] Ricky, in your article "The Ride of a Lifetime" you mentioned your great crew team. Are you guys still together, and how much credit do they get for this win?
[Ricky_Craven] I would not have won this race without Mike Beam and Roy McCauley. The pit crew was fantastic. They matched the other teams stop-for-stop. Track position is the most significant part of Winston Cup racing, and the pit stops were very significant to Monday's win. The team back in Hickory deserves some major credit also. They are showing some muscle. Cal Wells is the company owner, and I think it was 58 races to win their first. That is a real credit to him and PPI.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [CraventurnstheTide] I have been hearing that you and Bob Bahar (owner of NHIS) have bought Wiscasset Raceway (a racetrack in Maine). Is it true?
[Ricky_Craven] That is not true. In mentioning Bob, I am really excited about the New Hampshire race being the last one of the year, and I may be the only one! That will be the only time we have done that, finishing up at home.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [GO24flames] Ricky, anything fun planned for the off season?
[Ricky_Craven] Absolutely! I have a recreation dealership in Maine, Ricky Craven Motorsports North. We will be snowmobiling and we have a trip planning to Quebec City. My family and I are also going on vacation in December. Christmas is a special time for us. We go to our log home in Maine and there is always 3-4 feet of snow, which is appropriate for Christmas.
We get testing in January, which I am looking forward to. The break will be nice, but I am really having a lot of fun. I am not looking forward to seeing the season end.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Ricky3201] Hi Ricky! Do you support any other charities other than Give Kids the World?
[Ricky_Craven] Actually, with our charity ride we have had for four years, we have made contributions to the Make a Wish Foundation, the Children's Miracle Network, the Marrow Foundation, and the Travis Roy Foundation. Each of those four have been something I have worked with for years. We are going to add Give Kids the World to the charity ride this year. I was introduced to Give Kids the World by Procter & Gamble and Tide. It is for kids with terminal illnesses to stay in Florida. It is really spectacular. It is a wonderful organization.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [bob] What is the most critical component of a racecar in today's type of racing?
[Ricky_Craven] I would guess the steering wheel! Ha, ha. I don't really know how to answer that because the sport is challenging becauuse there are so many aspects There is the car, the tires, the engine, the pit stops, the aerodynamics, and all of those things are critical.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [readyricky] Ricky, you have had much improved career stats this year. What are the main factors that contribute to your success?
[Ricky_Craven] People. We've got a great group of people at PPI. We are racing for a first-class company that has never put pressure on us to win. Tide hired us all and they said "we got exactly what we are looking for and go do your jobs," and that is the key.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [rickyfan32] Ricky, out of the five racing series you have driven, which was your favorite and why?
[Ricky_Craven] I have some special memories from Busch North because it is home and the two years we ran there we had a lot of success. It was amongst friends and family, but without question the highlight is racing in Winston Cup. You go to a different state each week in front of new fans at a different track. It is really a great way to make a living.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [VaCravenFan] Are the people at Action going to make Ricky Craven merchandise so we die-hard fans can have more access to your memorabilia?
[Ricky_Craven] I am not sure who we are licensed through. I do know that we have Team Caliber and they have already put out some great product, along with Checkered Flag. We will have more product next year and heading into the off season.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [BethLovesNascar] What track do you consider your best track on the circuit and why?
[Ricky_Craven] Well, New Hampshire because it is home court. Statistically it would have to be Rockingham. I think I have had four top-5s there.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [GO24flames] Ricky, do you follow any other sports other than racing?
[Ricky_Craven] All sports. One of my favorites is the University of Maine college hockey, and sadly the University of Maine hockey coach, Shawn Walsh, died about a month ago. He helped bring two national championships to the state and it is a very exciting sport, the game of hockey.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Juniors' Girl] Hello Ricky, after all the trials on and off the racetrack, who or what inspired you to continue racing?
[Ricky_Craven] There were several inspirations. I think Dale Jarrett was the greatest example that I used because he has really done so well and it didn't come easy. He earned it. Later in his career he has become Champion and won several races.
When he went to the No. 28 car, the expectations were so high, and he recognized the level of frustration that I have dealt with and I would always look back on how he handled himself at that time as a good example. I really, really appreciate having raced him for the win on Monday. It was really perfect.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [GoDaleJrandHankJr] Ricky, I'm a 13-year-old girl and my biggest dream is to drive in Winston Cup. Did you get your start driving go-karts?
[Ricky_Craven] Actually, I began racing cars when I was 15. I did a little bit of go-kart racing but there is no substitute to an early start in stock car racing. I am still thankful for the system NASCAR has and my progress shows as a good example of that. I won the Busch North championship, the Rookie of the Year in '91, and then I went to the BGN in '92 and won Rookie of the Year, and moved to Winston Cup in '95 and won Rookie of the Year. It is a great farm system to make progress and reach the ultimate dream.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Countryred] Hi Ricky. Who was your favorite driver when you were young and just watching Winston Cup racing?
[Ricky_Craven] My favorite was Richard Petty, just my absolute favorite. He is such a good driver and such a great champion, but what really left an impression for me was when he had a bad day he would still smile for his interviews. He handled himself so well. I have always tried hard to be a percentage of what he is because he is that great. I am having tons of fun and I have won races, but I love spending time with The King. That is quality time. He is just a great guy.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [wendi] Out of concern, are you completely recovered from your post-concussion syndrome or are there lingering effects?
[Ricky_Craven] I am absolutely recovered. I was back in July of 1998. I am really thankful I have not gotten beaten up in the last 3-4 years. I have had healthy racing and just hope that in a perfect world we could have great racing for the next 50 years without the danger or risk involved, but that is an element of the sport you just have to accept.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [SteveParkFan] Hi!! Have you been in touch with Steve Park?
[Ricky_Craven] I actually have. I have called and spoke to Steve's mom. He is a great guy and a good friend and being from the Northeast, we both spent time together in the early days and having gotten beat up myself, I really feel for him right now because he is such a great racer and a good person. His career has been affected by the injuries, however, but he is smart and has a wonderful family and he will return successfully very soon, I am sure. He will be better because of it. It is really, really smart for him to be taking the time off and come back 100 percent rather than coming back at 90 percent.
[NASCAR_Host3] Ricky, thank you! That's all the time we have this afternoon. Do you have any final thoughts?
[Ricky_Craven] I have a Cocker Spaniel I would love to give away ... Ha, ha ... aside from that, for anyone wondering what this is like, just try and imagine the happiest moment personally or professionally in your life. That is how I felt.
I wish I could share it with my fans, friends and family. The acknowledgement we gotten from other team members and drivers has been great.
The messages that I have gotten about the last few laps are really special. The fans are a big part of why NASCAR Winston Cup racing is very special, and I look forward to Talladega!
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