Sprague, NetZero Pontiac Run Into
Misfortune in Atlanta
HAMPTON, GA (March 10, 2003) - A hole in the
radiator of the NetZero Pontiac during the closing stages of the Bass Pro
Shops MBNA 500 abruptly ended driver Jack Sprague's run resulting in a
34th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday.
"The NetZero Pontiac was good most of the day," said
Sprague. "The car started out loose and we made a bunch of adjustments that
ultimately made us pretty tight during the last half of the race. The guys
noticed a hole in the radiator during the last pit stop and did a good job
of getting it changed without losing too many laps. After a lap back out on
the track though, I knew we had bigger problems in the engine. Our day was
over at that point."
Sprague started the NASCAR Winston Cup event in the
43rd spot after posting a speed of 185.897 mph during qualifying Friday. In
the early going Sunday, Sprague battled handling problems with his black,
red and white NetZero Pontiac. Crew chief Dennis Conner and the NetZero team
made changes to the car, including track bar, air pressure and spring rubber
adjustments, over several pit stops allowing Sprague to slowly move up the
leaderboard. Sprague steered down pit road on Lap 268 for a scheduled
routine stop when the crew noticed damage to the radiator. Sprague was
forced to take the NetZero Pontiac to the garage area, where the team
quickly went to work to replace the damaged part. Able to make the change in
just over 10 laps, Sprague made his way back out to the track. It took only
one lap, however, before Sprague knew his problems were terminal.
"It's disappointing, but things like this happen,"
noted Sprague. "The good news is we were able to make adjustments to the car
that made a difference, which means we're headed in the right direction. I
definitely think we're gaining on it."
Sprague, who holds down third place in the Raybestos
Rookie of the Year battle, and his NetZero Pontiac team will next travel to
Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 Sunday, March
16 at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The fifth NASCAR Winston Cup event of
the season will be telecast live on FOX and will be broadcast worldwide by
MRN Radio.
ABOUT NETZERO.
