BELFAST (AP) – The state fire marshal’s office sought the cause of a weekend fire that gutted a store owned by Winston Cup driver Ricky Craven.

Waldo County officials learned of the fire around 7 a.m. Sunday when a caller reported smoke inside Ricky Craven Motorsports North on Searsport Avenue.

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 Newburgh native.

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 that in addition to merchandise, trophies and other memorabilia were destroyed. As to a value estimate, Matheson said, “A lot of it’s priceless.”

She said a temporary office was being opened.

Craven was upset when he heard the news, which came just prior to the start of the Southern 500 in Darlington, S.C., his sister said. She decided Craven would rather hear from her than through the grapevine.

“Then he went out there and raced a great race,” Matheson added. Craven finished eighth.

AP-ES-09-01-03 1129EDT