High Sierra Photo

Ricky Craven came to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005 with a renewed sense of optimism. Fighting from the short tracks of the Northeast, Craven landed in the top-tier NASCAR series in the early 1990s, first in the Busch Series and then in the Cup Series. Always strong wherever he's run, Craven has racked up Rookie of the Year honors in both series (Busch 1992, Cup 1995) and is a winner in both. Fighting back from injuries that nearly ended his career, Craven earned his first Cup Series win in a thrilling battle with Dale Jarrett in 2001 at Martinsville, and followed it with a second win in a near dead-heat photo finish with Kurt Busch at Darlington in 2003.

When things went south with his Cup ride, Craven walked away wondering what the future held next. A phone call from Jack Roush while Craven was on a family shopping trip led him to his next opportunity. With Carl Edwards moving into the No. 99 Cup ride, Roush needed a veteran to handle the reins of the No. 99 Truck and give guidance to the youngster that would move into the team's No. 50 truck after the 2004 "Gong Show".

Craven stepped to the plate, and to this point has not disappointed. A strong first half of the 2005 season has seen Craven finish in the top-5 three times and rack up a total of seven top-10 runs in the season's first 12 races. Overall, Craven and team sit fifth in the championship standings as we approach the halfway point in the season.

"It's not something I have taken lightly," Craven said. "This series is as competitive as any other out there. People ask me all the time if it is easier than Cup. There are aspects of it that are easier. You aren't away from home as many days, which is a lot easier. But when you are talking about the racing on the track, this series very challenging."

Even with numerous top-10 finishes and a top-5 position in the series standings, Cravena dn the Roush Racing organization have not been content with the status quo. After the return of team manager Max Jones from a stint in the Indy Car Series, Craven and company have mixed things up in an effort to improve the performance of both of the team's two trucks. Crew members have been swapped, with Craven's long-time crew chief Mike Beam moving over to work with young Todd Kluever, and veteran Truck Series crew chief John Monsam coming from Kluever's team to work with Craven.

"We made some changes in an effort to get the communication better," Craven said. "It worked for the 50 team last week in Kansas and it's going to work for us too. We are in the first inning of watching it play out, so it's still too early to say if it's the right thing to do, but it seems to be working. We are all working together as one big team to put both of the Roush Racing trucks in the winner's circle."

While Craven's focus is winning races and getting back in the fight for the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, everyone wants to ask what is on tap for 2006. Craven would prefer to stay out of the rumor mill and let his performance on the track speak for itself.

"Roush Racing has hired Jamie McMurray to drive the No. 6 Nextel Cup Series car starting in 2007," Craven said. "I think it is a great move. He will compliment the guys that are driving the Cup cars very well. As for me, I signed a two-year contract to drive for Roush Racing and I am totally happy with and focused on driving the No. 99 Superchips Ford. This is a performance-based business. I am going to stay away from the rumors. When there is something to report and I know for sure, then I will address them. Until then, I am going to put forth all of my effort into getting the No. 99 truck into victory lane."

Listen to more with Ricky Craven