Sprague, NetZero Chevy Post Impressive NASCAR Busch
Series Debut
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 16, 2002) - Jack Sprague made an impressive
return to the NASCAR Busch Series Saturday at Daytona International Speedway
piloting his No. 24 NetZero Chevrolet Monte Carlo to a seventh-place in the
EAS/GNC Live Well 300.
"I'm happy with our performance today," Sprague said. "Man, this is the
first time I've ran here and finished in the Top 10. Of course I'm happy, I
just wish we had another 30 laps to run because this NetZero Chevy was
awesome at the end."
Sprague's NetZero Monte Carlo fired off the 16th quickest time rolling to
a lap of 183.839 miles per hour in qualifying. The time trial session, which
was nearly rained out, was critical to the Spring Lake, MI driver as he had
no provisional starting positions for the event.
"I was sweating it a bit when it started raining during qualifying,
because I thought we'd be pretty good, but with no provisional starting
spots, that's tough to take," Sprague said. "The guys made adjustments and
we ran the best we had all week, but if the rain continued, would have been
going home. I didn't make the lap I'd been hoping for, but at least we made
the race." Sprague started the race sandwiched in the middle of the field,
falling back in the running order as he battled an ill-handling race car.
The veteran driver fought to keep his NetZero Chevrolet on track and was
happy when he had the opportunity to pit on Lap 21.
"The NetZero Chevrolet felt pretty good all day, not as comfortable as
that IROC car I ran Friday, but not to bad," Sprague stated. "We tested a
Pontiac and Monte Carlo at the test and opted to go with the Chevy and I'm
glad we did. Every lap at this track is a close call in my book. We had a
tire going down at the beginning of the race and was lucky the caution came
out. The car was really good after I got new tires."
By Lap 99, Sprague had made his way in to the Top 15 and drove hard
through the field breaking into the Top-10 where here remained for the final
20 circuits.
"The car was tight all day, but ran really good otherwise," Sprague said.
"I can handle it being tight, but not having help in the draft or getting
line is what killed us. We should have been up front all day, but I'll take
seventh."
"The way I see it is, these were the first two Busch Series speedway cars
that Hendrick Motorsports built and they were awesome, Sprague said. "I hate
that Ricky Hendrick got caught up in a wreck, but we both had awesome cars
and can only imagine what our Talledega cars will be like."
Sprague earned $45,250 for the top finish and 146 championship points.
"I think our commitment to running the Busch Series showed today,"
Sprague said. "I know my team and I are just as determined to run up front
every week and fight for the win. I'm really looking forward to next week at
Rockingham. We have a fast car that we tested there a few weeks ago and I
love those slick tracks."
The 1-866-RBCTEAM 200 will take the green flag at North Carolina Speedway
Saturday, February 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The event on the
1.017-mile Rockingham will be the second of 34 NASCAR Busch Series races
this season and will be telecast live on FOX and broadcast worldwide on MRN
Radio.
ABOUT NETZERO -
