Sprague, NetZero Chevy Get Set for Double-Duty Weekend at Atlanta

       HAMPTON, GA (October 20, 2002) -  Jack Sprague has an impressive racing resume, but when it comes to Atlanta Motor Speedway, there isn't much said. That's because in his 13 years of racing, Sprague's only seat time at the 1.54-mile Atlanta quad-oval is the 1992 Atlanta 300 NASCAR Busch Series race and the 1996 NAPA 500 Winston Cup event.. That was a long time ago and Sprague who drives the No. 24 NetZero Chevy and his team are ready to back into action this weekend.

      "We're definitely ready for Atlanta and I personally feel really good about it," said Sprague, who will be making his second NBS race in Saturday's Aaron's 312.  "The reason is our two-day test session a few weeks ago.  It went extremely well for us and as far as the team and I are concerned, it was one of our best test sessions of the year.  The NetZero car was fast and I really feel we left Atlanta with a great car and great notes for the Busch race.  I've been thinking about this weekend's race ever since then and feel like we will have one of the cars to beat."

       Sprague's previous Atlanta runs were impressive, but not the best situation for the veteran driver.  He's hoping his third time around is the charm. The NetZero team has been virtually flawless all season and Sprague knows when called upon, they'll be there to kick up the heat in Hotlanta and fire off the quickest pit stops on pit road.

       "There isn't much to say about Atlanta that nobody else hasn't already said, said Sprague who is pulling double-duty this weekend at Atlanta. "It's extremely fast - that about sums it up. There are a few bumps in Turn 1 and in the middle of Turns 1 and 2, but not much else. You need to go to Atlanta focused.  No slip ups while your out there and hope that no one else makes a mistake either.  You're always on your toes and white knuckled.  My guys will need to be on their toes in the pits and get me in and out quick so that I don't loose any time or positions in the pits.  My team is made up of the best in the business, so I don't think they'll let me down this weekend, but they'll definitely be put to the test since they'll be working extra hard."

       It's obvious that Sprague has learned the differences between cars and trucks.  He knows how much greater the competition is than in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series days.  The only three-time NCTS champion has done an impressive job holding his own and remains fourth in the championship point standings.  His gut feeling for the Atlanta event is that he has the potential to win and that's because he'll be piloting the same car he raced at Charlotte a few weeks ago -  'Chassis 230'.

       "Chassis 230" is an awesome car and I really think I could have won at Charlotte, but I lost a cylinder," said Sprague.  "I qualified sixth with it at Charlotte both races this year and I'm not kidding when I say it was the best car I've had all year. I was running fourth a few weeks ago and I was basically riding around until it finally let go. I ended up 25th, but it was fast until that point. I have a feeling the car will be even better this weekend - hopefully one that will be there at the end."

       In addition to Saturday's NBS event, Sprague will attempt to qualify for the NAPA 500 Winston Cup race. The decision to add the Atlanta venue was made after qualifying at Charlotte was rained out.  It will mark Sprague's second Winston Cup qualifying effort of the season in the No. 60 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet.

      "I'm looking forward to running both races at Atlanta," said Sprague.  "I only have one Winston Cup start under my belt there, so I'm pretty green. I qualified 12th, so I'm hoping we can do close to the same thing this time around.  We've got notes from the Busch test that we may be able to use, but at least I'll have a number of laps from both cars going into Sunday's race that might help.  We're bringing the same car we had in Kansas and Charlotte.  It's a good car, so I think we'll do alright."

             The Aaron's 312 will take the green flag Saturday, October 26 at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  The event will be the 31st of 34 NASCAR Busch Series races this season and will be telecast live on TNT. PRN Radio will also broadcast the race live on more than 300 affiliated stations worldwide.


ABOUT NETZERO.
Originally launched in 1998, NetZero is a United Online company. United Online is a leading value-priced Internet service provider that offers both free and value-priced Internet access services through its subsidiaries NetZero and Juno in more than 5,000 cities in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., with offices in New York City and Hyderabad, India. United Online's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol "UNTD." For more information about NetZero and United Online, visit http://www.unitedonline.net.  To obtain a NetZero CD, please call 1-877-NETZERO.