Ricky Craven, a two-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series and native of Newburgh, Maine, will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301, taking place Sunday, September 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The event will see Craven pilot the official Toyota GR Supra pace car as he leads 36 top competitors to the green flag, marking a notable return to his home region for the only NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race in New England this season.
Craven Returns to Lead the Field at New Hampshire
Craven, who was named the 1995 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year, expressed enthusiasm about returning to his favorite racetrack.
“I’ve been looking forward to my return home for several months,”
said Ricky Craven, 1995 NCS Rookie of the Year.
“This was, during my driving days, and will always be my absolute favorite racetrack. Each time I returned to New Hampshire to compete in a NASCAR event, I had the advantage of feeling as though I was racing with a home field advantage. I am so grateful for the opportunity to get back behind the wheel to lead the Cup Series field to the green flag.”
—Ricky Craven, 1995 NCS Rookie of the Year.
Welcoming a Hometown Hero
The leadership at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is eager to welcome Craven, emphasizing his impact as a source of regional pride and excitement among local spectators.
“Ricky is a pride of New England, and I can’t wait to see him back on ‘The Magic Mile’ behind the wheel of the official Toyota GR Supra pace car to lead the field of NASCAR’s stars to the green flag,”
stated David McGrath, Executive Vice President and General Manager at the speedway.
“We’re excited to welcome him for the whole weekend to engage with New England race fans back on his home turf.”
—David McGrath, Executive Vice President and General Manager, New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Apart from his duties as Honorary Pace Car Driver, Craven will engage in appearances throughout the Mobil 1 301 Playoffs weekend, connecting with fans and the broader racing community at the speedway.
A Look Back at Ricky Craven’s Racing Achievements
During his NASCAR Cup Series career, Craven captured two victories, including a memorable win on March 16, 2003, at Darlington Raceway. That race concluded with a .002-second margin over Kurt Busch, which stood as the series’ tightest finish until 2011, when Jimmie Johnson equaled the mark at Talladega by edging Clint Bowyer. Recently, the record was eclipsed by Kyle Larson, who narrowly defeated Chris Buescher by .001 seconds at Kansas Speedway on May 5, 2024.
From 1991 through 2004, Craven competed in 278 NASCAR Cup Series events, securing two wins, 17 top-five finishes, 41 top-10s, six pole positions, and leading 1,075 laps. He also ran 142 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series between 1986 and 2006, where he notched four victories, 27 top-five and 57 top-10 finishes, seven poles, and led 1,579 laps. After transitioning away from the Cup Series, Craven shifted to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, making 26 starts from 2004 to 2005, with one win, four top-fives, nine top-10s, and leading 114 laps.
Weekend Schedule Features Diverse Racing and Entertainment
The racing action kicks off on Friday, September 19, featuring practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as the SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. Saturday’s doubleheader offers the Mohegan Sun 100 for the Modified Tour, the Team EJP 175 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs race, and practice and qualifying for the Cup Series. The weekend reaches its climax on Sunday when the Cup Series drivers compete in the Mobil 1 301, beginning the playoff’s Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s renowned Magic Mile.
Beyond the on-track excitement, attendees can look forward to The Magic Mile Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, live concerts including performances by Draw the Line and Being Petty: The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Experience, as well as a Family Movie Night screening Captain America: Brave New World. Additional attractions will include a host of driver appearances, live shows, and fireworks, making the event a celebration for fans and families alike.
The Significance of Craven’s Role and What Lies Ahead
Ricky Craven’s return as pace car driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 highlights his enduring connection to the sport and the region, bringing added enthusiasm for New England’s sole Cup Series Playoffs weekend. The event not only honors Craven’s legacy but also energizes the local community and racing fans, with anticipation building for an action-packed lineup of races and off-track festivities at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
