Ricky Craven, remembered for one of NASCAR’s closest finishes, has embarked on a new venture at 59 years old by purchasing Speedway 95 in Maine. This historic track, a longtime fixture in the racing community, was previously owned by Delano Merritt since 1968. Craven’s acquisition highlights his commitment to investing in the future of NASCAR venues, blending his racing legacy with track ownership.
Craven’s Racing History Fuels His Vision for Speedway 95
Craven’s NASCAR career included an iconic victory in 2003 at Darlington, where he edged out Kyle Busch by just .0002 seconds—the narrowest margin ever recorded in the Cup Series and a record that lasted 21 years. Despite those on-track achievements, Craven finds new excitement in his role as a track owner. His connection to Speedway 95 runs deep, as both his mother and father secured wins there in the 1970s, making the facility a significant part of his personal and racing heritage.
Plans for Growth and Collaboration with Outgoing Owner
Expressing both respect for the outgoing owner and enthusiasm for the road ahead, Craven shared that he and Delano Merritt will jointly oversee Speedway 95 through the conclusion of the 2025 season, which ends on October 12. He revealed ambitions to implement a multi-phase plan designed to enhance the facility, promising the community a future shaped by “an aggressive vision” that will evolve the track‘s offerings and status within NASCAR.
We will in the near future share with all the people with equity in this track our intentions to do some aggressive vision of how this facility will continue to evolve. It includes several phases that I can not wait to get started.
—Ricky Craven, Owner of Speedway 95
Significance of the Purchase for NASCAR and Local Racing Culture
This acquisition marks a meaningful milestone as a former driver with deep ties to the sport blends his competitive experience with track stewardship. With Merritt’s legacy as a foundation, Craven aims to preserve the historic character of Speedway 95 while revitalizing it with fresh energy and innovation. His investment promises to impact both local racing culture and the broader NASCAR scene by sustaining one of the sport’s cherished landmarks into the future.
