Jack Sprague No. 2 RVs.com Chevrolet Team Report
NASCAR Truck Series Race 2 of 25 — California Speedway
DAYTONA RECAP: Racing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway is always an adventure. Jack Sprague and the No. 2 RVs.com team went into the first race of the season with a fast truck and hopes for a win. However, Sprague was caught up in the first accident of the night, sustaining major left front fender damage. From then on, Sprague and team tried to recover, but a tire rub resulted in two flat left front tires and two unscheduled green-flag pit stops. Remaining positive, the team continued to rally as they finished the race with a 19th place finish.
THIRD TIMES THE CHARM: Sprague is no stranger to victory lane at California Speedway. Sprague recorded two of his 28 career victories at the 2-mile track, scoring back to back wins in 1998 and 1999. Sprague and the
No. 2 RVs.com Chevrolet team hopes that the third time is the charm as they make a bid for the 2008 NASCAR Truck Series championship.
BY THE NUMBERS: California Speedway has been a very successful track for Sprague. In nine starts he has recorded two wins, six top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Last year Sprague finished third behind KHI teammate Ron Hornaday.
CHASSIS HISTORY: For the second week in a row the No. 2 RVs.com team will roll out a brand new chassis. Chassis number 021 will make its debut at California Speedway Saturday for the San Bernardino County 200. The team used this chassis briefly in testing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway at the end of January.
TRUCKIN’ ACROSS THE COUNTRY: Todd Dodson, hauler driver of the No. 2 RVs.com Chevrolet, returned to the U.S. eight months ago from a 13-month tour of duty in Iraq. Dodson has spent 10 years as a U.S. Army National Reservist. He returns home to wife Addie and two children Taylor and Tyler. Dodson served his country as a marine and insurgent from 1990-95. Dodson then volunteered for active duty and was deployed to Iraq in April 2006. Moving to serve in a different capacity upon return from Iraq, Dodson joined the Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) family in November 2007, to drive the hauler of the No. 2 American Commercial Lines/RVs.com Chevrolet. “Anybody that serves your country you certainly have to be proud of and have a lot of respect for. I certainly do with Todd," said Sprague of his teammate.
Jack Sprague Quotes:
YOU ARE A TWO-TIME WINNER AT THE CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN HERE?
“Really winning at California takes what it takes at every track. You need a strong motor, and a good handling race truck. It’s tough here because you can have a good truck to begin with but as the day progresses the track gets really slick. Things can go away in a hurry here, so you really have to race the race track.”
HOW DO YOU THINK THE NEW RESTRICTOR PLATE AND GEAR RULE WILL AFFECT YOUR TRUCK?
“I really do not know how these new rules are going to affect the truck. Everyone is really going to be able to hold things wide open. I guess we just have to hold it wide open longer than everyone else.”
AFTER THE CHALLENGES FROM LAST WEEK, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT GOING INTO CALIFORNIA?
“I feel like Daytona was kind of a fluke. I really believe we have a shot to go into California and win the race. At least that is where my mind is set. That is how I came into the season with the goal of winning. I believe that Ernie (Cope) and the guys have prepared me a good race truck. We learned a little from the Atlanta test session in January that we can apply here. I hope to be sitting in the No. 2 RVs.com truck in victory lane on Saturday.”
Ernie Cope Quotes:
HOW DOES CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY DIFFER FROM A PLACE LIKE DAYTONA?
“To be honest, now that we are running restrictor plates at all the tracks, I do not believe there will be a lot of differences. I think we will see a whole lot more separation between trucks and not as many multi-car incidents.”
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT IN CALIFORNIA, HANDLING OR HORSEPOWER? WHAT ARE SOME TYPICAL ISSUES THAT YOU FACE AT CALIFORNIA?
“As with all tracks to be successful you really need both, handling to be able to run wide open and the horsepower to motor up off the corners. Most drivers usually fight a tight-off condition. If you can get your truck to roll through the center and have the motor to get down the straight-a-ways then you will be hard to beat.”
WHICH TRACK ON THE CIRCUIT DO YOU CONSIDER CALIFORNIA TO BE MOST SIMILAR TO?
“I think California runs a lot like Michigan. You have wide sweeping turns and room on the
straight-a-ways to really race. I think the fans are in for good three-wide racing. I look forward to a good race. We have prepared a strong No. 2 RVs.com Chevrolet and are looking for a top-five finish.”
DRIVER APPEARANCES: Sprague will be signing autographs at the Camping World store in the infield at California Speedway on Friday, February 22, 2008 from 11:00-12:00 p.m.
WELCOME ABOARD RVs.com: RVs.com will make their primary sponsorship debut this week at the California Speedway on the No. 2 KHI Chevrolet. This will be the first of 10 races throughout the 2008 season that RVs.com will be primary sponsor on the truck
About RVs.com:
RVs.com is a one-stop shopping and informational website for the recreation-vehicle enthusiast. Viewers can access real-time RV inventory, accessories, equipment and RV-lifestyle information. Features of RVs.com include new and used RV inventory and areas for private RV owners to sell RVs, obtain financing and insurance and purchase RV accessories or trailers. The user-friendly site also provides RV-lifestyle information about campgrounds, clubs, publications, safety, rallies, and events from around the country plus employment opportunities in the RV industry.
About FreedomRoads & Camping World:
FreedomRoads & Camping World is America’s largest RV and outdoor retailer serving a brisk and growing demand for the RV lifestyle. After having successfully co-located for several years at selected locations, FreedomRoads, a dynamic national network of well-established local and regional RV dealerships and Camping World, America’s largest direct marketer and specialty retailer of RV and outdoor camping accessories, service and RV sales, joined together to provide consumers with greater choice, convenience and value. Today, with revenues exceeding $1.7 billion, the company serves RV enthusiasts with more than 130 retail locations.
In addition to the sale, finance and service of recreational vehicles and specialty retail, FreedomRoads & Camping World also provides expanded products and services to enhance and protect the RV lifestyle. This includes: the President's Club customer loyalty program; in-store Performance Centers featuring RV and Car Insurance and Roadside Assistance Service; Camping World RV Institute technical certification/training program; Goodwill Ambassador Program; and the new campground discount program, Camp Club USA.
About Kevin Harvick Inc.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full time Truck Series teams: the No. 33 Camping World/VFW Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday as well as the No. 2 American Commercial Lines (ACL)/RVs.com Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Camping World/RoadLoans.com/Rheem Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday and Cale Gale and the No. 77 Rheem/VFW Chevrolet driven by Cale Gale and Ron Hornaday competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. 2008 marks KHI’s fifth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Please visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.
