Years ago Alabama and racecar drivers were nearly synonymous, but that’s not the case anymore.Rick Crawford, of Mobile, is the lone Alabama native running a full NASCAR series schedule in 2008. While a younger driver, Cale Gale, is currently running a part time NASCAR schedule with Kevin Harvick Incorporated, Crawford is the state’s only hope for a NASCAR championship this year.
As the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rolls into Kentucky Speedway this weekend, Crawford is fifth in points and looking to come back strong in the first race the series has had in a couple of weeks.
“We appreciated the two-week break,” Crawford said Tuesday. “I think all the teams needed it. We battled hard for the first half of the season. The Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford F-Series pickup has been performing well. I think it’s coming to potential now. And we’re looking forward to going to Kentucky this weekend with the Built Ford Tough 225.”
During his time off Crawford, like many drivers in the sport, didn’t stray too far from racing. He did some testing and visited some short tracks during the two-week break in the truck series schedule. Crawford said he’s considering purchasing the track in Montgomery, but the idea has been met with some opposition from citizens in the city.
“I am interested in buying the Montgomery Speedway down in Alabama, as you know, and make it into a racing complex, and give everybody in the southeast a nice short track to race at and several venues there at that particular property,” he said.
“Actually I went to one of the finest-run short tracks in the nation this past weekend at the Motor Mile in Pulaski County, Virginia. I think you are aware of that particular speedway. Those fine folks there at the Motor Mile treated me with utmost respect. I watched a fine show.”
Crawford said he would meet with city leaders in Montgomery today, but is expecting some people to oppose reopening the facility.
“I’m in a city conference on Thursday evening…on July 17th, and I feel like there might be some opposition there,” he said. “I hope my reputation and my vision for having a racetrack back alive in Montgomery, Alabama comes true, but you know, if there is an opposition there I want to be a friendly neighbor and a good neighbor. But like I say, if there’s an opposition there then they can leave the racetrack closed.”
While he’d like to open a short track in his hometown, Crawford is also focusing on his racing career. After years of racing cars both locally and around the country, Crawford has now found success driving a truck.
“I like to win,” he said. “I like to be competitive. I have a pretty hard drive for competing and racing. I’m not one of those that rides around, you know, and…write a book about where I raced at. I mean, I want to race hard. I want to be a hard racer. I want to give my sponsors what they’re paying for.
“I want to give my owner what he’s proud of his team and what he deserves and I want to give the fans what they pay to see. So if it takes putting on a show that’s what I want to do and that’s what I’ve always done and hopefully everybody’s enjoyed that.”
He’d like to win races each week, but a NASCAR championship is his ultimate goal.
“That would probably put the trophy at the head table and it would be a welcome sight,” Crawford said. “We’re trying to do that for circle bar racing, Ford Power Stroke Diesel, the Ford F-150 brand and for Rick Crawford. I have to add my name (to) this there last. I’d love to be called a NASCAR champion when it’s all over.”
Alabamians won’t have to wait too long to see Crawford race locally. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series comes back to Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 4 for the Mountain Dew 250.
