SPRAGUE: Looking for Repeat Success at New Hampshire
09-08-2008 12:58 am
MORE THAN ONE WINNER: Jack Sprague, driver of the No. 2 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Camping World Chevrolet, found victory lane at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in 2001, but he is not the only member of the No. 2 Camping World team to drive into victory lane at NHMS. Sprague's spotter Andy Houston recorded his first career Truck Series win at the flat track in 1998. "The win at NHMS meant a lot to me. It really put me on the map so to speak," said Houston. "The way the win went down was really cool. I was racing Greg Biffle, and we were both rookies, both racing for our first career wins and we had been beating and banging all day. It came down to the last lap and I moved him just enough in turn three to get him loose and win the race. It was a really cool day one that I will never forget." POLE SITTER: Sprague holds the record for most poles at NHMS with three (1997, 2001, and 2004). VICTORY LANE BOUND: KHI hopes to return to victory lane at NHMS in 2008. Last season, Ron Hornaday had a dominating victory at the one-mile facility on his way to his third Truck Series championship. Hornaday made history last year by becoming the only two-time winner at NHMS. Jack Sprague Quotes: YOU HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS AT THE FLATTER TRACKS ON THE TRUCK SERIES CIRCUIT SUCH AS PHOENIX AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CONFIGURATION OF THESE TRACKS THAT YOU LIKE? "Places like Phoenix and here in New Hampshire really remind me of the short tracks that I grew up racing on. A few years ago the groove here was right around the bottom of the track, but it has moved up over the years and the groove is more in the middle of the track. The expansion of the racing lane makes for better racing and gives the trucks almost a two-lane race track. I like it when we have the opportunity to move around a track and see which lane works best for our truck. A good way to dominate at a race track is to find a lane that no one else can run and make it work for you." CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 2 Camping World team will bring chassis number 025 to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Chassis 025 is the No. 2 team's primary intermediate track truck. In 2008, this truck has competed at The Milwaukee Mile and last week at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway, with an average finish of ninth. PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Sprague and the No. 2 Camping World team had a strong finish last week in Gateway. Sprague was the fastest truck in during both practice sessions. Starting from the 10th position, Sprague quickly made his way to the second spot. Leading three laps, the No. 2 team pitted with the field during a caution at lap 102. Varying pit strategies up and down pit lane relegated Sprague back to the seventh position. Fighting a loose-handling race truck, Sprague was able to regain two positions, crossing the finish line fifth. KHI hopes to return to victory lane at NHMS in 2008. Last season, Ron Hornaday had a dominating victory at the one-mile facility on his way to his third Truck Series championship. Hornaday made history last year by becoming the only two-time winner at NHMS.