By Phil Whipple,Staff Writer

LOUDON, N.H. – For Newburgh’s Ricky Craven, any opportunity to race at New Hampshire International Speedway is much like going home.

His well-documented success on the Bahre family’s immaculate 1.058 mile oval was instrumental in his rise to NASCAR’s elite divisions, and fan support couldn’t be any stronger.

Craven, who announced recently he is departing the high-profile Roush Racing organization after this season, will compete in today’s Sylvania 200 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. A field made up primarily of former Nextel Cup Series drivers and aspiring young stars will take the green flag at 3 p.m.

Speed Channel will televise the race live to a national audience.

“If there was a track on the circuit where I wished we raced more it would be New Hampshire,” says Craven. “When I go home and race there it is a real treat. I’ve always felt that I have a slight home-court advantage over the other drivers since I’ve run so many laps here. It would be the perfect place to get my first truck win.”

After an impressive start to the 2005 season, Craven has slipped from second to 13th in the points standings. Following the departure of crew chief Mike Beam, team chemistry and communication just hasn’t been where it needed to be.

Never one to be rattled, Craven says the team is still focused on winning before season’s end.

“I felt like we hit a headwind back in the middle of the year and had some strange circumstances. It’s been frustrating, but every time I’ve strapped on the helmet I felt like we were in the game. We’ve just got to finish the job and we haven’t done that for a while.”

Craven has 17 Nextel Cup starts at New Hampshire, with one top-five and two top-10 finishes, along with nine Busch Series starts and one Craftsman Truck Series start. Craven started ninth in last year’s Sylvania 200, ran among the leaders early but got caught up in an accident and finished a disappointing 31st. He refuses to comment on his plans for 2006, choosing instead to focus on the remaining races on the truck series schedule.

Former series champion Mike Skinner paced Friday’s practice session with a fastest lap of 29.447 seconds in his Toyota Tundra. Nextel Cup Series rookie sensation Kyle Busch was third-fastest, with veteran Ken Schrader and former champion Jack Sprague fourth and fifth respectively. Skinner says the team brought the same truck to New Hampshire that carried him to victory last week in Richmond, Virginia. “The truck felt really smooth in the first practice, and we didn’t have to make any major changes to the setup. We’ve been on a roll lately with wins at Bristol and Richmond, and I think if the weather cooperates, we’ll have a truck capable of winning here.”

In the Spotlight

One of the biggest items being discussed this week within the NASCAR community is the changes going on at Hendrick Motorsports. Robbie Loomis announced Wednesday he is leaving his position as crew chief for Jeff Gordon, and Cornish native Steve Letarte assumes the helm starting with Sunday’s Sylvania 300 Presented by Lowe’s. Letarte, 26, has been with the Hendrick organization for nearly a decade and is well-qualified for the job.

“Steve has worked from the ground up at Hendrick,” said Gordon. “He brings a lot to the table, and calling the race this weekend will get us headed into the right direction for next year.”

On a roll

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Rusty Wallace is having the time of his life as he wraps up his final season of competition. The 1989 series champion and driver of the famed No. 2 Miller Lite/Penske Racing Ford easily made the 2005 Chase for the Nextel Cup, and sits third in points as the chase begins Sunday here at New Hampshire. Wallace spoke with the media Friday about his success and strategy as he enters the chase.

“This has been everything I ever wanted for my final season,” he explained. “We’ve been running strong everywhere and it really feels good to be in the chase. Larry Carter, my crew chief, has been right on top of things here lately and we’ve been able to get the cars dialed in to where they need to be.”

Wallace says he always planned to go out on top, and is thrilled with the way his program is running as these all-important last 10 races get underway.

“If you’re going to to have a stretch of races where you’re hooked up, right now is the time for it. I’d like nothing better than to win the championship in my last season, not just for my own legacy but for my sponsors and team members as well.”