Rick Crawford and his Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel by International team rolled into Kansas Speedway for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250, fresh from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Spring Break looking to keep the momentum going from a solid start to the 2007 season.

Over the years, the Kansas Speedway has become one of the Power Stroke Diesel teams favorites venues. Crawford leads all drivers in laps led and last year the team finished in the runner up position. For the 2007 installment of the O'Reilly Auto parts 250 crew chief Kevin "Cowboy" Starland tapped the teams newest down force chassis CB-21 better known as "Black Jack". Black Jack was built as a clone to the team's "Flying Monkey" chassis, that earned its name at this track last year by passing trucks faster than the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. While the team had a new truck, the goal was the same, follow the yellow brick road to victory lane.

The No. 14 Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford F-150 and crew at the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Off the trailer Black Jack was rolling and the Power Stoke team was in the top 5 on the speed charts. Rain washed out the second practice, costing the team a valuable session to improve on a fast Ford F-150. After a great practice session the team had high hopes for qualifying but while going for the gusto the Circle Bar F-150 stepped sideways on Crawford and the team settled for a disappointing 19th place starting position. With the drop of the green flag Crawford was on the move, Black Jack was passing trucks in Kansas like it predecessor, the Flying Monkey. By lap 20 Crawford was in the top 10 and Black Jack was looking to double down to the top 5. On lap 29 Crawford muscled past Musgrave for 7th. The Power Stoke Diesel machine soon tracked down Benson for 6th.

On lap 60 the field started to make rare green flag pit stops and with some quick thinking by Cowboy the team would lead a lap while the rest of the top 5 pitted. The team performed a smooth stop, 4 tires, fuel and a few tweaks to the Circle Bar Ford and Crawford was back on track. As the stops cycled the field Crawford was now up to 5th, with a couple of trucks in front of him that were working a different pit strategy. With the caution flag in the air, the leaders made their way to pit road. With another fine stop in the books and the Power Stroke Diesel Ford F-150 was back on track in the 6th spot.

Under green Crawford was on the move again, within 5 laps he had picked up 2 spots to 4th. The 3rd place truck went up in smoke and Crawford set his sights on second. Within 8 laps Crawford has second cleared but the leader got away while Crawford was battling for 2nd. The race would go green the rest of the distance and Crawford would not get an opportunity to mix it up with the leader.

The second place finish solidifies the teams 3rd position in the Championship points standings and would earn the team the Mobil1 Command Performance Driver of the Race award. The finish also puts Crawford in very exclusive company, by becoming the 5th driver in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history to reach the 4 million in winnings.

Rick Crawford: "Congratulations to Erik Darnell on his first win. It's great to have Fords run one-two here at a Ford racetrack. I can't say enough about Ford Motor Company, Kevin Starland and all of the guys on our Power Stroke by International race team did a heck of job. They worked really hard today and it paid off."

While the series had a few weeks off, Crawford and his team had been busy. During the break Crawford returned to his hometown, Mobile, Alabama, to be inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall Fame. Crawford's induction was the first from motor sports and the first of an active athlete. While Crawford was picking up some hardware from a great career, Rick's son Adam made 2 trips to the Gulf Coast to try and pick up some hardware of his own. Adam, the 2006 Rookie of the Year at Mobile International Speedway had 2 solid races in super late model competition at Pensacola and Mobile. Throw in a test session, some new trucks and a few appearances and the team was still looking for the "off time" as they loaded up for Kansas.

The Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel Team will be in action when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series holds round 6 of the 2007 season in the Quaker Steak and Lube 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday May 18th.