By Tommy Praytor, Circle Bar Racing
Photo(s): Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford F-150 racing against 3 time series champ Jack Sprague and Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick.
With a win and the track record to his credit Martinsville Speedway had become one of Rick Crawford’s favorite venues in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team’s previous success led to high expectations for this years running of the Kroger 250. Crew chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland knew that only the best in the Circle Bar fleet would be able to reach the top of the chart in Martinsville, CB-17 better known as “Elvis” Elvis has become the Power Stroke Diesel by International teams favorite short track chassis. When Elvis is in the house Crawford is looking for the “Money Honey”.
As with all big performances Elvis needed a little warm up before the show. A daylong test at Caraway Speedway had Elvis in rare form and ready to rock and roll in Martinsville. Off the trailer Elvis was on cue and by the end of the practice was at the top of the charts. During qualifying Elvis missed the pole and a new track record by less than a tenth of second. Crawford and his Power Stroke by International team had scene Elvis perform before and they knew a big day was ahead of them on Saturday.
With the glare of the bright lights shining from Fox network television Elvis was ready for the Saturday matinee. From the drop of the green flag Elvis was rockin and rollin, climbing the charts looking for the top spot. From the seat of his favorite short track chassis, Crawford knew his Power Stroke Diesel by International team had given him a Ford F-150 that had a shot at winning. The goal in the first part of the race was to stay out of trouble, make a solid stop and get set for the long ride to the finish. Over the years the Martinsville race has taken on a road course characteristic on pit stop strategy, stop as soon as you hit your pit window and hang on to your track position for the rest of the race. Up to 3rd Crawford brought Elvis down pit road on lap 72. The over the wall gang went to work with 4 fresh Goodyears and a load of Sunoco fuel. A track bar adjustment along with other team working different pit strategies would restart the Circle Bar team back in the 14th position. Restarting back in the field the Elvis was climbing the charts again to the front. Lap by lap Crawford picked off competitors. With 60 to go Crawford was up to 5th and a group of lapped trucks took each other out and some of the leaders with them. Elvis didn’t escape without damage; the right front fender was now crushed causing a tire rub. Cowboy and Crawford had been in this spot before, stopping to fix the damage would cost them the race staying out could cost them the truck. Titles are won and lost with these decisions, for Crawford and Starland it was time for “A Little Less Conversation and a Lot More Action”, Elvis stayed on stage. Back under green Crawford spent the first few laps making sure his Ford F-150 would handle like it did before. The lap truck incident left the Circle Bar machine a little tighter than before but drivable. With the laps winding down Crawford was able to pick off a couple more trucks, moving up to 3rd before the curtain closed on another Elvis performance.
Kevin “Cowboy” Starland: “Elvis was alive today. I wish we had a better stop and we might could have stayed out of that lapped truck mess. Rick really had to hustle to keep us in the top 5 but when it’s time to go he’s one of the best in the business”
Rick Crawford: “Cowboy and the guys gave me a great Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford F-150 today. I was able to make some bold moves and really had good time. Lap traffic was really frustrating; I don’t understand what some of these guys were thinking. The one deal took off the right front of my truck and nearly put Sprague in the wall. When it’s not your day you should show more respect for the people who have an opportunity to win. All in all it was another solid performance for our Circle Bar teams we almost had 2 trucks in the top 10 and the 14 is now in up to 3rd in points.”
The Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel Team will be in action when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series holds round 5 of the 2007 season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, April 28th at 5:30 PM EST. For live trackside reports of practice and qualifying go to truckseries.com. Live coverage of the race provided by Speed Channel, MRN and Sirius Radio.
www.circlebarracing.com or www.rickcrawford.com