Richard Dean Carelli (born November 9, 1954) is a retired American race car driver from Arvada, Colorado.[1] He was nicknamed the "High Plains Drifter".[2] He won multiple times in the No. 6 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series truck. He is the spotter for Erik Jones in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Rick Carelli
Carelli in 1997
BornRichard Dean Carelli
(1954-11-09) November 9, 1954 (age 70)
Arvada, Colorado, United States
Achievements1993 NASCAR Winston West Series Champion
1991 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour Champion
AwardsWest Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame (2009)
NASCAR Cup Series career
9 races run over 3 years
Best finish49th (1994)
First race1992 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 (Sears Point)
Last race1994 Slick 50 300 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
2 races run over 2 years
Best finish119th (2003)
First race1998 Lycos.com 250 (Pikes Peak)
Last race2003 TrimSpa Dream Body 250 (Pikes Peak)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
134 races run over 8 years
Best finish6th (1995)
First race1995 Skoal Bandit Copper World Classic (Phoenix)
Last race2002 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 (Daytona)
First win1996 Coca-Cola 200 (Bristol)
Last win2000 Kroger 200 (Richmond)
Wins Top tens Poles
4 60 0

Racing career

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Carelli's 1997 Chesrown Racing truck

Carelli won the NASCAR Southwest Tour championship in 1991 and won 21 times in the series during his career.[2] He joined the NASCAR Winston West Series in 1992,[1] and he was named the series Rookie of the Year. He returned to the series in 1993, capturing the series championship and Most Popular Driver award.[1][2] He has won nine times in that series.[2]

He was one of the original drivers in the Craftsman Truck Series, starting at the series' first race at Phoenix in 1995. Carelli raced every series race until he suffered near-fatal injuries when his truck hit the wall during a race at Memphis Motorsports Park in 1999. He suffered a basilar skull fracture, damaged his carotid artery and sinus.[3] He recovered and returned to race the entire 2000 season.[3] He won another race at Richmond International Raceway in 2000 with an underfunded team that he was the crew chief for. He also made 9 Winston Cup starts from 1992 to 1994. He stopped driving in 2004 and moved into the administrative side of motorsport.[3]

After retiring from driving, he later became the team manager for Kevin Harvick Incorporated – a position that he held when Ron Hornaday won the 2007 championship.[2] He later worked with NTS Motorsports as the team general manager.[4] Carelli was also the spotter for the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41, driven by Kurt Busch after first working with him at Furniture Row Racing;[5] FRR's general manager Joe Garone was Carelli's crew chief from 1989 to 1994.[6] He later became Erik Jones' spotter at FRR before following him to Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports.[5][7]

Awards

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Carelli was inducted in the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2009 along with Wayne Spears, Doug George, and Chuck Bown.[8][9]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

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NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NWCC Pts Ref
1991 Chesrown Racing 37 Chevy DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO
DNQ
ATL NA - [10]
1992 DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON
37
POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO
42
ATL 74th 89 [11]
1993 61 DAY CAR RCH
DNQ
ATL
DNQ
DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL PHO
21
ATL
35
49th 258 [12]
37 SON
21
CLT DOV POC MCH DAY NHA POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR
1994 61 DAY
DNQ
CAR
DNQ
RCH
DNQ
ATL
DNQ
DAR
DNQ
BRI NWS MAR TAL SON
41
CLT DOV POC MCH
DNQ
DAY NHA POC TAL IND
DNQ
GLN MCH
27
BRI DAR
DNQ
RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR
22
PHO
33
ATL
DNQ
49th 283 [13]

Busch Series

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NASCAR Busch Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 NBC Pts Ref
1990 Chesrown Racing 46 Pontiac DAY RCH CAR MAR HCY DAR BRI LAN SBO NZH HCY CLT DOV
DNQ
ROU VOL MYB OXF NHA SBO DUB IRP ROU BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NHA CAR MAR NA - [14]
1998 Phoenix Racing 41 Chevy DAY CAR LVS NSV DAR BRI TEX HCY TAL NHA NZH CLT DOV RCH PPR
42
GLN MLW MYB CAL SBO IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT GTY CAR ATL HOM 126th 0 [15]
2000 Ken Schrader Racing 86 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX NSV TAL CAL RCH NHA CLT DOV SBO MYB GLN MLW NZH PPR GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAR MEM PHO
DNQ
HOM NA - [16]
2003 Biagi Brothers Racing 4 Chevy DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEX TAL NSH CAL RCH GTY NZH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR
19
IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL PHO CAR HOM 119th 106 [17]

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 NCTC Pts Ref
1995 Chesrown Racing 6 Chevy PHO
24
TUS
3
SGS
9
MMR
12
POR
8
EVG
8
I70
6
LVL
5
BRI
23
MLW
4
CNS
7
HPT
11
IRP
3
FLM
2
RCH
12
MAR
29
NWS
12
SON
15
MMR
11
PHO
11
6th 2683 [18]
1996 HOM
16
PHO
6
POR
6
EVG
13
TUS
23
CNS
19
HPT
24
BRI
1
NZH
16
MLW
11
LVL
7
I70
3
IRP
18
FLM
7
GLN
24
NSV
9
RCH
15
NHA
13
MAR
29
NWS
6
SON
9
MMR
34
PHO
16
LVS
14
10th 2953 [19]
1997 WDW
5
TUS
30
HOM
8
PHO
10
POR
28
EVG
19
I70
7
NHA
3
TEX
22
BRI
4
NZH
6
MLW
5
LVL
19
CNS
7
HPT
9
IRP
8
FLM
5
NSV
10
GLN
10
RCH
11
MAR
15
SON
7
MMR
12
CAL
15
PHO
5
LVS
6
7th 3461 [20]
1998 WDW
3
HOM
18
PHO
17
POR
3
EVG
7
I70
32
GLN
28
TEX
9
BRI
30
MLW
6
NZH
9
CAL
16
PPR
4
IRP
17
NHA
20
FLM
16
NSV
17
HPT
30
LVL
31
RCH
8
MEM
30
GTY
1*
MAR
11
SON
11
MMR
6
PHO
11
LVS
35
11th 3195 [21]
1999 HOM
10
PHO
27
EVG
6
MMR
1
MAR
9
MEM
36
PPR I70 BRI TEX PIR GLN MLW NSV NZH MCH NHA IRP GTY HPT RCH LVS LVL TEX CAL 33rd 739 [22]
2000 Phelon Motorsports 66 Ford DAY
7
HOM
34
PHO
26
MMR
20
MAR
33
PIR
17
GTY
29
MEM
34
PPR
20
EVG
7
TEX
31
KEN
7
GLN
32
MLW
13
NHA
11
NZH
8
MCH
31
IRP
24
NSV
23
CIC
5
RCH
1
DOV
8
TEX
9
CAL
21
15th 2606 [23]
2001 DAY
13
40th 675 [24]
Chevy HOM
30
MMR
4
MAR
12
GTY DAR PPR DOV TEX MEM MLW KAN KEN NHA IRP NSH CIC NZH
Petty Brothers Racing 44 Dodge RCH
34
SBO TEX LVS
Harvick Motorsports 6 Chevy PHO
11
CAL
2002 DAY
5
DAR MAR GTY PPR DOV TEX MEM MLW KAN KEN NHA MCH IRP NSH RCH TEX SBO LVS CAL PHO HOM 72nd 160 [25]

Winston West Series

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NASCAR Winston West Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NWWSC Pts Ref
1991 Chesrown Racing 37 Chevy EVG MMR SON SGS POR EVG
27
SSS MMR
2
PHO
DNQ
24th 391 [26]
1992 MMR
1*
SGS
1*
SON
37
SHA
4*
POR
10
EVG
4
SSS
1
CAJ
14
TWS
6
MMR
2
PHO
42
3rd 1765 [27]
1993 TWS
8
MMR
4
SGS
1*
SON
21
TUS
9
SHA
1*
EVG
1*
POR
2*
CBS
1*
SSS
4
CAJ
1
TCR
8
1st 2390 [28]
61 MMR
3
PHO
21
1994 MMR TUS SON
41
SGS YAK MMR POR
1
IND
DNQ
CAJ TCR LVS MMR
10
PHO
33
TUS 19th 804 [29]
1995 TUS MMR SON CNS
6
MMR POR SGS TUS AMP MAD POR LVS SON MMR PHO 46th 150 [30]
1996 TUS
5
AMP MMR SON MAD POR TUS EVG CNS
15
MAD MMR SON MMR PHO LVS 34th 273 [31]
1999 Chesrown Racing 57 Chevy TUS
4
LVS
16
PHO CAL
3
PPR MMR IRW EVG POR IRW RMR LVS MMR MOT 32nd 445 [32]
2001 Team Re/MAX Racing 05 Chevy PHO LVS TUS MMR CAL
9
IRW LAG KAN EVG CNS IRW RMR LVS IRW 47th 143 [33]

ARCA Re/Max Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 ARSC Pts Ref
1992 Chesrown Racing 37 Chevy DAY FIF TWS TAL TOL KIL POC MCH FRS KIL NSH DEL POC HPT FRS ISF TOL DSF TWS
6
SLM ATL N/A [34]
1993 DAY FIF TWS
8
TAL KIL CMS FRS TOL POC MCH FRS POC KIL ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL N/A [35]
2001 Team Re/MAX Racing 05 Chevy DAY NSH
4
WIN SLM GTY
5
KEN CLT KAN MCH
8
POC MEM
2
GLN KEN MCH
4
POC NSH ISF CHI DSF SLM TOL BLN CLT
40
TAL
3
ATL 31st 1285 [36]
2002 DAY
2
ATL NSH SLM KEN CLT KAN
38
POC
3
MCH
36
TOL SBO KEN BLN POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI
2
SLM TAL
4
CLT 30th 975 [37]
2003 DAY
6
ATL NSH
10
SLM TOL KEN CLT BLN KAN
5
MCH
27
LER POC POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL CLT SBO 39th 700 [38]

24 Hours of Daytona

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(key)

24 Hours of Daytona results
Year Class No Team Car Co-drivers Laps Position Class Pos.
2002 AGT 90   Flis Motorsports Chevy Corvette   Kevin Harvick
  John Metcalf
  Davy Lee Liniger
123 69 DNF 8 DNF
2003 GTS 05   Team Re/MAX Racing Chevy Corvette   Craig Conway
  John Metcalf
  Davy Lee Liniger
378 27 DNF 8 DNF

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Rick Carelli". Racing West. 1999. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e "West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame to induct 10 in July". NASCAR. April 8, 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Wack, Craig (June 21, 2009). "Rick Carelli's seat safer than '99 Trucks Series ride". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  4. ^ "No. 14 California Clean Power Chevrolet to Feature Throwback Paint Scheme From Inaugural Truck Series Race". NTS Motorsports. September 21, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Carelli, Rick (July 19, 2018). "Eye in the Sky: Veteran Rick Carelli helps Erik Jones grab 1st Cup win". Motorsport.com (Interview). Interviewed by Southers, Tim. Motorsport Network. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Valdez, Alexandria (July 11, 2014). "NASCAR's Furniture Row Racing team fueled by homegrown Joe Garone". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  7. ^ Pockrass, Bob (December 14, 2020). "2021 Brings Change". Foxsports.com. Fox Sports. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "HOF Modern Era Inductees". Racing West. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  9. ^ "West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame". West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  13. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  14. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1990 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  15. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  16. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  17. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  18. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  19. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  20. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  22. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  23. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  25. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  26. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1991 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1992 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  28. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1993 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  29. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1994 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  30. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1995 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  31. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1996 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  32. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1999 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2001 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "Rick Carelli – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  36. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  37. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  38. ^ "Rick Carelli – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
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Achievements
Preceded by NASCAR Winston West Series champion
1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour champion
1991
Succeeded by
  NODES