PERSONAL PROFILE
	Spouse: Cathy Kids: Bryan, Dominic, Calissa Hometown: Arvada, CO Birthdate: May 9, 1954 Personal Vehicle: 1997 Chevrolet Z-71 Hobbies: Skiing, Snowmobiles

Rick Carelli's September 2000 victory in the Phelon Motorsports Ford at Richmond International Raceway was one of the tour's most popular, completing the veteran's recovery from the previous season's serious injury. The victory was the fourth for Carelli, who has won in four different seasons for two owners and three crew chiefs.

A late-season charge of four top-10 finishes in the final five events enabled Carelli to claim 15th in the final standings, with his stats including his win, two top-5s and eight top-10s in 24 starts. It marked a remarkable comeback that occurred in little more than a year. After his come-from-behind win at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., Carelli stood sixth in 1999 NCTS points when a devastating accident at Memphis Motorsports Park ended the year.

He was back on the circuit as a CBS broadcaster in July and began testing shortly after the campaign ended. He returned to the track, and Victory Lane, in the season opening Copper World Classic Featherlite Southwest Series event at Phoenix. Prior to joining the Craftsman Truck Series, Carelli won championships in the Winston West Series (1993) and Featherlite Southwest Series (1991). He campaigned Late Model stock cars throughout the U.S. from his home base in Arvada, Colo., earning the "High Plains Drifter" nickname in the 1980s.