HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) – Ricky Craven’s new ride has four wheels and a bed. And it reaches speeds upward of 180 mph.

Craven has reached an agreement to drive the No. 50 Craftsman Truck Series Ford for Roush Racing next year. The other Roush driver will be American Speed Association driver Todd Kluever.

Craven, 38, of Newburgh, Maine, made his truck series debut in September at the New Hampshire International Speedway. He wrecked on Lap 82 but left the race saying it was the most fun he’d had all year.

“I am looking forward to racing in the Craftsman Truck Series since the competition just gets better every year,” he said Friday.

The 1995 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year began the season behind the wheel of the No. 32 Tide car. But he parted with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells, severing a relationship he had with the team since 2001.

Craven had a poor finish last season and struggled this year. Still, he was the only driver from a single-car team to win races during his 31/2-year association with Tide, winning at Martinsville in 2001 and Darlington last season.

Craven said he looked forward to working “with an outstanding rookie like Todd. I think the combination will be exceptional.”

Kluever, 26, from Sun Prairie, Wis., won Roush’s “Race for the Ride” tryout to get a spot on the team.

Craven has said in the past that he’d consider driving trucks but his comment at the time suggested he wanted another shot at the Nextel Cup series.

After his race in September, he said he’d love to get the opportunity to participate some NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races, “but I have some unfinished business on the Nextel Cup side.”

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On the Net:

www.rickycraven.com

AP-ES-11-19-04 1358EST