Crash Ends Pre-Season Thunder Early for Sprague, Cook

01-16-2005 | Charles Krall, TrackSide Editor

No. 2 Dodge

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An accident three hours into Sunday's rain-plagued Daytona Pre-Season Thunder Test has ended the session early for three-time series champion Jack Sprague and last year's Daytona pole winner Terry Cook.  Also involved in the accident was Ted Musgrave, who has a second truck at his disposal and will continue with the test later this evening.

The accident occurred as a pack of trucks came through the tri-oval and Ron Hornaday's machine wiggled slightly.  Hornaday backed off to maintain control, and in the effort to avoid a crash, Sprague's truck lost control and veered right across the track into the path of Cook and Musgrave.  Sprague and Cook made contact with the
No. 10 Ford

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SAFER barrier through the tri-oval, while Musgrave pounded the rear of Cook's truck with the right front of his machine.

"I really don't know what happened," Cook said.  "Jack (Sprague) is a good clean driver and I just drove up on the outside of him coming through the tri-oval.  I had a run at him and went to go to the outside of him, and as I passed him he just came up into me.  His spotter, I guess, talked to my spotter and they thought he hit the apron going through the tri-oval.  I haven't talked to Jack yet to get his side of it, so I'm not really sure what happened.  We definitely didn't need that to happen."

No. 16 Chevrolet

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None of the drivers involved were injured.  Cook was examined and released from the infield care center, while Musgrave walked away from his truck on the speedway.  Sprague drove his wounded truck to the garage.