Femmefan Exclusive Interview: Rick Crawford - Quiet Intensity in the Pursuit of Perfection

By Valerie Wood

July 26. 2005

Recently, Femmefan sat down with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver Rick Crawford for a one-on-one interview. In July, Rick's streak of 209 consecutive race starts ended after a vicious wreck in qualifying at Kentucky Speedway, which prevented him from racing that weekend. The "Iron Man" of NASCAR's Truck Series returned to the track this past weekend in Memphis on a mission, and garnered a respectable 11 th place finish.

Rick Crawford is a man who is truly living his dream. When you consider that only about 130 professional racers in the USA make a living as a driver at the top levels in racing, this is no small achievement. Indeed, it is something to take pride in.

t's a long way from the short-tracks of Mobile, Alabama to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (CTS). This third generation racer knew at age 16 that he wanted to drive a racecar. Raised largely by his grandparents, Pops and Clara (Rick's dad died at age 63), it was Pops who helped Rick get started in racing when Rick confided his ambition with his grandfather. His grandfather, a well known racer in his own right in Mobile, taught Rick about building and driving race cars, and gave him a firm grounding in the basics of mechanics.

Following his avocation, Crawford made his mark on the short tracks of Alabama in the early 1980's, capturing two Alabama short track championships, three track championships at Mobile International Speedway and two championships at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

"Short track racing is where most of the NASCAR drivers started their careers," Crawford noted. "It's where we all grew up. Memphis reminds me of my local short track, Mobile International Speedway. Both are drivers' tracks." Rick spent 12 years in the NASCAR All-Pro Series, compiling 11 wins in 111 starts and 61 Top-10 Finishes. In 1989, he won the prestigious Snow Ball Derby at Five Flags.

Crawford has made his climb steadily in the CTS, driving the #14 Circle Bar Racing Ford F-150. In 2002, he fought his way to a second place finish in the Championship Standings, and started the 2003 season with an exciting, spectacular win at Daytona International Speedway-a victory that was voted by Speedchannel as the CTS' Greatest Finish. Rick crossed the finish line first - just a mere thousandth of a second in front - in one of the Series' closest-ever races. A victory at Daytona, whether in CTS, Busch or Cup, is the ultimate achievement for a racer.

This quiet and intense Alabamian has a thoughtful, introspective streak. He knows what he wants in racing. He has goals yet to reach and dreams yet to be fulfilled. He values loyalty-a strong value which still means a lot in certain parts of this world-and when he gives his word or handshake, you can take that to the bank. The term 'Southern gentleman' still connotes a special breed of man, and Rick Crawford epitomizes the term perfectly. A self-described ladies' man, this Southern gentleman is down-to-earth, approachable and completely charming-somewhat of a cross between a Rhett Butler's dashing gallantry, served up with a distinctive sense of humor, and the cool, deadly determination of a gunfighter like the principled, mysterious Shane. Handsome and self-assured, Rick is single and, when he's not behind the wheel of his race truck, enjoys golfing, taking the boat out, playing guitar and spending time with his 16 year old son, Adam, who is starting a career in racing under his dad's watchful, careful tutelage.

While Crawford would like to explore other racing series and prospects, he is firmly committed to Circle Bar Racing and Tom Mitchell. If an opportunity in NASCAR's Busch or Cup Series arises which will not conflict with this, he is opening to trying something new. He has cast speculations on considering driving in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), perhaps in Funny Car, Top Fuel or Pro Stock. But, he's a Circle Bar man first and foremost. Loyalty.

Rick has been with the Circle Bar Team for 14 years, first in the All-Pro Series and in the CTS since 1997. Circle Bar Racing (the Super 8 Motel and Circle Bar RV Park centered in Ozona, Texas) and Rick Crawford first teamed up in 1991 when owner Tom Mitchell began sponsoring Crawford's NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Ford. Prior to this, Mitchell was involved in Indy Car Racing and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. In 1997, Crawford and Circle Bar Racing moved up to the NASCAR Truck Series, and have been a part of it since. As a CTS rookie driver, Rick had a measure of success with 2 Top-5's and 10 Top-10's, finishing 12 th in the overall standings. His next season was highlighted by his first CTS victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but there were ups and downs-engine problems, racing luck. He finished with 4 Top-5's and 5 Top-10's in 1998.

Circle Bar Racing relocated to North Carolina, and recently purchased the shop which was previously owned by the late Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki. Hallowed ground for a race team, in the heart of racing country.

This season's addition of veteran Crew Chief Kevin "Cowboy" Starland to Circle Bar Racing gives the team added savvy and punch. As Starland notes, " Rick is one of the smartest driver's in the Series. He is smooth, consistent and understands his equipment and how to save the best for last. With his talent and the guys we have on the crew, I truly believe that this Circle Bar team is a strong contender."

Always persevering, always seeing improvement. Crawford is not a man who is comfortable in 'settling' for what he can get. He is a racer, through and through. There are drivers-and there are racers. The late great Dale Earnhardt was the ultimate racer. Tony Stewart is a racer. Rick Crawford is a racer. A key frustration in racing is that even though the driver controls the car, all elements have to come together for victory-the truck, the crew, the equipment, the timing, the strategy. "Unlike golf or football," Rick commented, "racing is a sport which is neither an individual nor team effort. No matter how well you are doing, one little thing-a problem on a pit stop, or with equipment, and it makes the difference in how you finish in the race." This element of racing is the one area in which there is not a lot of control, and it's the area in which timing and luck play a factor in a race's outcome.

Fans can contact Rick via his interactive, well-designed website, www.rickcrawford.com. The site includes a message board, where fans can leave a note for Rick or chat with other fans. Information on the Rick Crawford Fan Club is also online there as well. Rick reads the messages and enjoys hearing from race fans.

Rick Crawford is a man who is living his dream - and a man who is still dreaming of more in racing and in life. It's a long way from the short tracks of Mobile, Alabama to the NASCAR CTS. Rick Crawford has come this far. Don't bet that he won't go farther still. A perfectionist in pursuit of a dream.

For information on Valerie Wood's novel, Enforcer, visit http://www.enforcer.fcpages.com/ (Official Website for Enforcer) or http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/14441 (Publisher's Website/read an excerpt).

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