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BUSCH: Joliet: Jack Sprague preview

JOLIET, IL (July 8, 2002) - There aren't very many tracks on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule that Jack Sprague hasn't raced some point during his career. Whether it be a NASCAR Craftsman Truck or a Busch car, Sprague has fought to maintain a great ...

Edited: Apr 16, 2008, 12:40 AM

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JOLIET, IL (July 8, 2002) - There aren't very many tracks on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule that Jack Sprague hasn't raced some point during his career. Whether it be a NASCAR Craftsman Truck or a Busch car, Sprague has fought to maintain a great deal of experience, but none of that experience will matter this weekend as Sprague makes his way to Chicagoland Speedway. The turf is knew for the three-time NCTS champion and his NetZero team as they get ready for Saturday's Tropicana Twister 300 Presented by Sam's Club.

"Chicagoland is going to be a bit different for me since I've never been there or even seen the track for that matter," said Sprague. "I've got two races to run their this weekend, but I'm actually happy about that because it will give me double the time on the track to prepare and get a good feel on how to get around it."

Sprague is not only running his No. 24 NetZero Chevy entry at the 1.5-mile D-shaped tri-oval on Saturday, but he also makes his third appearance in an IROC car. Sprague, who is currently third in the NBS point standings goes into the IROC Series points race fourth. The Spring Lake, MI native is looking forward to the upcoming jam-packed weekend and hopes to perform a 1-2 punch in at the conclusion of both races.

"There haven't been too many tracks this year that I haven't been to at some point, but this weekend is one of those few," said Sprague. "The NetZero team didn't get a chance to test there, but Ricky Hendrick did a few weeks back and gave me a few hints to go on this weekend and from what I've heard, Chicago and Kansas are pretty much a clone of each other and that cool with me because I loved racing at Kansas in the Truck Series last year."

Sprague and his Hendrick Motorsports team aren't loosing any sleep of the lack of experience at the ultra-fast Chicago track. They have no reason too. Since the season began, the NetZero team has shown no signs of weakness and have proof. Sprague leads the series for most Top-10 finishes and is currently third in the series point chase. Adjusting to their environment is what Sprague is all about and doesn't have any plans on stopping.

"I'm told Chicagoland is smooth and even considered a Michigan-type track, as well. Until I get out there I won't really know. Being able to run the IROC car out there will help as far as getting more track time, but you can't compare the IROC car to my NetZero Chevy because the IROC car has so much down force that they just handle so much better. Even a bad handling IROC car is easier to drive than a good handling Busch car. I'm going to use that extra seat time to get a feel for the track, get a good mind set on how to get in and out of the corners and a feel for the apex. I don't usually have trouble with new tracks and I think we'll be fine for the race on Saturday."

Sprague enters this weekend's event in the 'windy city' coming off a disappointing 28th-place finish in the most recent series race at Daytona International Speedway where he fell to third in the season standings heading into the 200-lap Chicago race. The Tropicana Twister 300 Presented by Sam's Club will take the green flag Saturday, July 13 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The event 19th of 34 NASCAR Busch Series races this and will be telecast live on NBC. MRN Radio will also broadcast the race live.

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