NASCAR Cup

Bristol II: Ricky Craven preview

HICKORY, NC (August 23, 2004) - Ricky Craven, driver of the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet, returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 16th time in his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series career. Craven's best finish at the half-mile track came last year in this event ...

Published: Aug 26, 2004, 11:34 PM

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HICKORY, NC (August 23, 2004) - Ricky Craven, driver of the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet, returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 16th time in his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series career. Craven's best finish at the half-mile track came last year in this event where he finished eighth.

Special Paint Scheme: The No. 32 Tide Chevrolet will debut a new paint scheme at Bristol this weekend for a new product, "Tide with a touch of Downy." Tide with a touch of Downy is a combination of the cleaning technologies of Tide and the softness and freshness technologies of "Downy Through-the-Wash". "Downy Through-the-Wash" is a new formula of Downy that contains detergent-compatible softness technologies to deliver softening even when it's added to the wash cycle. Look for Tide with a touch of Downy in these three scents - Clean Breeze, April Fresh and Soft Ocean Mist - and experience a touch of softness you never imagined from Tide! The No. 32 team will also run this paint scheme at New Hampshire International Speedway and Martinsville this fall.

Ricky Craven, driver of the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet:

Does racing at Bristol at night seem more intense than the day race?

"I don't think there is any more electric atmosphere than the Bristol night race. There is not a ticket in the sport more sought after than the Bristol night race. That is my own poll, but I also hear it over and over again. Even to the point of people asking me and writing me for tickets. The most interesting came recently when I was getting on a plane. Someone approached me, which I thought was for an autograph, but instead they asked if I had access to tickets to the Bristol night race."

Is racing at Bristol more physically or mentally taxing than other tracks because of the 15-second lap?

"Along with Martinsville, it is the most physical racing of the year. The mental part of it is almost more defensive as you don't get many second chances. There is such a dependency on your spotter and judgment of what you should protect and what you should give up relative to someone trying to get under you or you attempting a pass. It is so calculated. It obviously becomes physical at times, but there so little room for error that it is a taxing race both physically and mentally."

What is your favorite thing about racing at Bristol?

"Without question, it is the electricity and energy of the fans. Whether it is the National Anthem or the fireworks at the end of the race, it is just different than any other place we race. When the race is over, you look up and you don't see the grandstands empty. The fans stay because it is just about being there. It is such an event. People plan their week around this event as opposed to driving to and from it."

Chassis No. 46: The Tide Racing team is taking Chassis No. 46 to Bristol this weekend. This is the same car the team raced in the past three events at Bristol Motor Speedway, where its best finish came in this event, one year ago, where it finished eighth.

Appearances:

* Craven will sign autographs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Food City Family Race Night held on Thursday, August 26th. The event is held on State Street in downtown Bristol, TN.

* Craven will sign autographs on Saturday, August 28th approximately from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Tide Souvenir Rig. Please check with the souvenir rig in advance for ticket distribution.

-ppir-

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