Circle Bar Racing Welcomes UYRS Intern - Since its inception in 1995, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has been heralded as a training ground for young racers to learn and perfect the art of auto racing.  This weekend NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Circle Bar Racing welcomes intern Ari Summers, who most recently joined the team in the Charlotte area.  Summers a future racer will join Rick Crawford as the team debuts the #14 Sears "Good Life, Great Race" Ford F-150 at the Dover International Speedway.

Summers, 19 (Mathematics, Civics and Science Charter School in Philadelphia) joined Circle Bar Racing in their Concord shop May 17th through the 21st as the team prepared for the Infineon Tailgate 200 at the Lowes Motor Speedway.  Summers a part of the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) was participating in a one week internship program sponsored by Craftsman® Motorsports.

The UYRS is a non-profit organization committed to the education, training and preparation of today's urban youths through exposure to the automotive and motorsports industry.  Summers a senior in the program spent the first part of the week in Charlotte learning from Circle Bar Racing's mechanics and pit crew in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  That Thursday Summers joined the team in their track duties, and then participated as part of the pit crew during Friday's Infineon Tailgate 200.

From participating in pit stop practice, to welding on the race truck, to pushing the truck through inspection at the track and then watching the green flag wave on race day, the students of the UYRS were involved in every aspect of race preparation. 

This weekend Ari once again joins Rick Crawford and the Circle Bar Team at the Dover International Speedway for the MBNA America 200.  An added bonus for Summers will be the opportunity to show Rick Crawford his Mini-Cup car when the Circle Bar driver visits the Philadelphia based Urban Youth Racing School Wednesday afternoon.

Quotes from Rick Crawford: "We're excited to have Ari back with the team at the Monster Mile.  When he came down to Charlotte he helped the guys in every facet possible of preparing the Circle Bar Ford for action at the Lowes Motor Speedway.  Craftsman Tools is a big supporter of the Urban Youth Racing School program and we're proud to be involved with their initiative.  This weekend Circle Bar Racing will debut the Sears "Good Life, Great Race" Ford F-150 and Ari was a big part of getting the truck ready during his visit to Charlotte.  I hope we can put together a strong run for Sears this weekend, but even more I hope we can give Ari something we're all aiming for, a trip to victory lane."

Close but no Cigar for Crawford in Dover:  Victory has eluded Rick Crawford at the Dover International Speedway for four seasons, but just barely.  In four starts Crawford has an average starting position of 3.75, earning his first career pole at the Monster Mile in 2002.  Crawford's finishing average of seventh comes from two third place efforts (00 & 02), an eighth (03) and a 14th (01).  However, maybe the most interesting fact is that out of 800 possible laps, Crawford has held the point for 182, more than 22% of the total laps completed.

Believe It or Not?  In Rick Crawford's 176 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, Circle Bar Racing owner Tom Mitchell has never attended an event.  ZERO - that’s right; Mr. Mitchell has been affiliated with Rick Crawford for more than 13 years, through Crawford's run in the NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Series and seven straight seasons of Craftsman Truck Racing and has never seen one lap of active competition with Crawford behind the wheel.

Consecutive and All-Time Starts Leader:  "Ironman" Rick Crawford has started 177-consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events in his career, more than any driver in Series history.   Crawford has been an active part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 1997 earning three victories in his career.

Championship Magic?  Circle Bar Racing is enjoying their hill top view from their new 26,000 sq. foot home in the Lowes Motor Speedway Industrial Park.  A building the team hopes still holds some of its championship charm.

The building was first owned and built by 1992 NEXTEL Cup Series champion Alan Kulwicki.  The building changed hands several times after Kulwicki's tragic death in 1993, with the team purchasing the building in the winter of 2004.

To date the move has proven successful for Circle Bar Racing as they have captured a victory in the Kroger 250 at the Martinsville Speedway, two top-five and 3 top-ten finishes in the Series first four events.
 
Ray Stonkus Equals Dover Success for Crawford:  Crew chiefs often have an ace in their bag of tricks and for Ray Stonkus that ace seems to be on concrete.  In four starts at the Dover International Speedway, Stonkus has led driver Rick Crawford to three top-ten finishes.  The duo has combined to lead 182 laps, so both are hoping to pull that final ace this weekend, the one that helps them reach victory lane.

Rick Crawford on Ray Stonkus's Success at Dover International Speedway:  "Ray and I have that connection that he knows my style at that particular banked racetrack and I already know when I get there what I'm looking for and Ray can sometimes see that in my eyes, were both pretty aggressive when we get to that racetrack and I'm looking forward to going there this Friday."