Engine Failure Prevents Sprague, NetZero Chevy From Having a Top Finish at Atlanta

       HAMPTON, GA (October 26, 2002) - Jack Sprague wasn't quick to jump from his racecar after running only the first 52 Laps of Saturday's Aaron's 312 NASCAR Busch Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Sprague's No. 24 NetZero Chevrolet's engine failed, saddling him with a disappointing 42nd-place finish and dropping him to fifth in the series standings.

       "I don't have much to say," said Sprague who was running in the seventh position before his day came to an end. "Qualifying was rained out and we didn't get much practice, but the practice we did get was educating.  The NetZero Chevy was pretty good and was actually better at the start of the race.  Dennis (Connor) said I was the fastest car on the track other than the No. 99 car of Michael Waltrip.  I never would have thought we'd end up with engine problems here at Atlanta. We don't have many races left - I just hope we can get a really good finish soon."

       The wet start to the weekend caused qualifying to be cancelled and drivers to start the race by order of owner points. From the fifth position, Sprague's red, black and silver NetZero Monte Carlo appeared to be one of the best cars at the drop of the green flag, but what looked to be a great day came to a halt on Lap 52. Sprague radioed the crew that the motor had let go. He then pulled the NetZero car into the garage where it was determined that the damage was terminal and the team was done for the day.

       "There's nothing we can do at this point, but keep our chins up and look ahead to Rockingham," said Sprague who is now fifth in the point standing with a total of 3845 markers.  "We have a really good car for next week - one that I think will have a pretty good finish.  We can't look back on things.  We need to focus on what's ahead of us."