Ricky Craven, encouraged by his #50 Midwest Transit Co. teams strong finish, will return to the Winston Cup team next season and intends to run the full 36-race schedule. The team didnt have a primary sponsor this season so Craven was only able to run in 16 of the 34 races. And since they were limited, they couldnt qualify for provisional starting positions. This is the finest group of people Ive ever worked with. They work so well together and have made so much progress over the last month and a half, said Craven. I dont want to give up on that and I want to expand on what weve done here.” Cravens name had been mentioned as a possible replacement for Bobby Hamilton in the Kodak Chevy #4 ride for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. But that ride went to Robby Gordon. Craven said longevity is a key to success in the business and he expects the entire team to return next season including crew chief Greg Conner. Craven talked to team owner Hal Hicks on Tuesday and he said, without elaborating, that there are some very interesting things cooking, some very legitimate things. Craven would love to have a primary sponsor in place for next season. Midwest Transit is an associate sponsor. But, even if they dont, he feels Hicks has made a firm commitment to the team and will do his best to make further improvements. The improvements have already begun, according to Craven, who pointed out that they are in the process of lining up testing at the four tracks that host the first four races in 2001: Daytona, Rockingham, Las Vegas and Atlanta. As for his status on the BGN, Craven said he hasnt thought about it. Craven ran six Busch Grand National races this past season but he hasnt decided to what extent he will be involved next season(in part from the Bangor Daily News)(11-22-2000)
