An early morning fire has gutted Ricky Craven Motorsports North store along Searsport Avenue. The fire was reported to authorities at 6:30am. The store is owned by Ricky Craven, a Newburgh native who races on NASCAR’s Winston Cup Circuit. Lowell Keene told VillageSoup that he noticed some black smoke coming from the rear of the building but could not see any flames. More info at the Belfast VillageSoup .(8-31-2003) UPDATE: A fire gutted a store owned by Winston Cup driver Ricky Craven on Sunday. The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause. Waldo County officials learned of the fire around 7 a.m. Sunday when a caller reported smoke inside Ricky Craven Motorsports North. The store was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported. The business, which opened in September 2000, sold all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and racing paraphernalia associated with Craven, a native of nearby Newburgh. Lauri Matheson, Craven’s sister and manager of the store, described the fire as a setback that would not put an end to the business. “We are ready to fight and build a new business,” she said. “It’s life, it does happen. We’re not going anywhere.” Matheson said in addition to merchandise, trophies and other memorabilia were destroyed. “A lot of it’s priceless,” said Matheson, adding that a temporary office was being opened. Craven learned of the fire just before the Southern 500 in Darlington, S.C., his sister said. “Then he went out there and raced a great race,” Matheson added. Craven, who won at Darlington in March, finished eighth Sunday.( Charlotte Observer/AP )(9-1-2003)
