FONTANA, CA (April 22, 2002) - Jack Sprague, a three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and current top contender in the NASCAR Busch Series, has had a busy start to the 2002 race season. In addition to his NBS duties, Sprague will also have his sights set on winning this weekend's True Value IROC Series race at California Speedway.

    "This season has been really hectic since we opened at Daytona in February, but I'm really looking forward to getting back in an IROC car," said Sprague.  "I had a blast in the IROC race at Daytona. We even came out of there with a fourth place-finish, which is pretty good. We'd like to do better than that, maybe even win at California." 

    The second 100-mile test in the 2002 four-races IROC schedule should be a comfortable one for Sprague, the first Truck Series driver to be invited to the IROC ranks.  Sprague's Truck Series record at the two-mile California oval features two wins and five Top-10 finishes in as many events. 

    California is a track I have always loved racing at," said Sprague. "I've done well there in the Truck Series, but I know nothing will really apply to the IROC cars. Also, the guys I'm running with aren't amateurs. I was able to learn a lot from them in the first race and hope to apply that this weekend. I know they'll be racing me just as hard as I will be racing them."

    Drivers will only draw for car color and not for starting positions.  Starting positions for the race will be the reverse of the finishing order from Daytona, so Sprague will take the green flag for the California 50-Lap event ninth in the 12-car field.

    "I'm starting towards the back, but at least it's closer to the front than where I started for the first race in Daytona," said Sprague. "I wasn't sure what to expect when I drew the 11th spot in Daytona, but now I know.  It really doesn't matter because the cars really handle nice and as long as you're able to pass and get in the draft, you'll get to the front."

    Sprague is also hoping a special cheering section will also boost him to the top of the leaderboard.

    "The sponsor on my Busch Series car - NetZero - is based in the Los Angeles area and they will have a lot of people at the track cheering us on in both the IROC and Busch races," said Sprague. "I'd like nothing better than to give them a good show, something to really cheer about."

    The True Value IROC Series race at California Speedway will take place Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:45 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The event will be taped and shown at a later scheduled date.