[simple simon]

he's from Maine like me, so maybe im biased

but i think he deserves a ride

you cant tell me out of the 44 or so drivers in each race he isnt better then the worst of them

i know people that know him personally and they told me he is kinda difficult to work with, but sponsors need to be seen, seems they would want the best driver available

[Nevadastars]

Where is Ricky now? I will never forget the big crash in the early 90's at Talledega when he went over the wall, and out of the racetrack.
His last win was also awesome when he and Kurt Busch were banging each other at the checkers. A great driver that had his chance with Hendrick Motorsports, but never seemed to get quite where he needed to be.

[LSC9901]

If he were really that good he would still be in the cup races. I do agree that there are some drivers who really lack the ability but for some reason they are still in a ride. Kevin Lapage is a New England native and has always been a 34th place driver. He's been with several teams and seldom produces any better finishes. Craven is just another driver who isn't quite as good as is really needed in the cup series.

[simple simon]

not good enough ? he has 2 wins which is more then many of them.

i think he got real spooked in his accident, and it took him awhile to get over it.

but since he left Hendricks he hasnt really been with a top notch team

think if he got with DEI or something he would be top 20 regular

[Nevadastars]

That wreck was amazing. I remember him racing at Sears Point the following week with two black eyes! Craven is a tough competitor, he just never found the right chemistry with a team, which is so critical. Look at Jamie McMurray this year. He is in a top shelf, Championship winning car, but is struggling. Johnny Benson is also a great driver, but just never got the "right" car under him. There are so many over the years that could have been legends had the right ride come along. Guys like Gordon and Johnson have been extremely lucky in the fact they had crew chiefs they "clicked" with right off the bat...........which makes me despise them that much more.

[LSC9901]

So if Ricky Craven did get all the right stuff under and with him would you hate him also ????

If Ricky Craven couldn't do it with Hendricks then who can he do it with ?? Kevin Lepage was with Rousch and couldn't do it. Sometimes drivers just don't have what it takes.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

If Ricky Craven couldn't do it with Hendricks then who can he do it with ??

i dont think he had a true shot with Hendricks

1st i dont think anyone can say they gave him equal people as they gave Gordon. Im not saying Ricky had scrubs off the street, i just dont think it was equal

2nd he did come in 2nd at Daytona

3rd can you blame him for needing time to get mentally over that wreck ?

now i admit it does seem to have taken him awhile to get over it, but i think anyone would agree he is over it after the win over Kurt

[LSC9901]

OK Simon .. here's what we'll do. We can pool all of our money and start up a team and get him as our driver and see how he makes out. I've got $7.63 for my share of the start up. How much will you be able to kick in and is there anyone else that wants a piece of this limited partnership?

P.S. 2nd place is merely the first loser to cross the finish line. Doesn't matter if it is 1/100th of a second behind or ten minutes.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

So if Ricky Craven did get all the right stuff under and with him would you hate him also ????

If Ricky Craven couldn't do it with Hendricks then who can he do it with ?? Kevin Lepage was with Rousch and couldn't do it. Sometimes drivers just don't have what it takes.

Hate?!? Who said anything about hating anyone? I dislike them, but hate is a strong word.
Gordon had the chemistry with Evernham, and Johnson has it with Knaus. The greatest ever, Dale Earnhardt couldnt do squat with Larry McReynolds but was awesome with Shelmerdine and Petri. It's all about getting all the pieces of the puzzle in the right place. Craven never found that extra piece. It's not just the driver that makes things happen.

[LSC9901]

Nevada you are correct and I apologize. There are few people and/or things in the world I hate .... but there are many of the same that I truely dislike. I do enjoy, not love but enjoy, this NASCAR forum.

[Nevadastars]

Didnt really need an apology, but it's all good.