NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Dodge California Truckstop 300 Preview: #24, Jack Sprague
8 October 1997
#24 Jack Sprague, Quaker State Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Dodge California Truckstop 300 Advance
Mesa Marin Raceway
CONSISTENT SPRAGUE POISED TO GIVE QUAKER STATE A TITLE
TRUCK LEADER COULD HELP QUAKER STATE TO RARE "DOUBLE-DOUBLE" WITH GORDON
BAKERSFIELD, CA - The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship format
bestows its ultimate award to the circuit's most consistent performer over
the course of the 26-race season. And while Quaker State/Hendrick Motorsports
driver Jack Sprague is fueled by a burning desire to win each and every race,
he understands the benefits of running among the top-5 finishers. Consistency
is what will carry Sprague to the coveted 1997 title.
Sprague, with 3,350 points to his credit, currently leads Rich Bickle by 77
points following the Quaker State 4x4 Motor Oil Chevrolet's 5th-place finish
in the Kragen/Exide 151 Sunday at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, CA. It
marked the 14th time in 22 events that Sprague has finished in the top-5
during the 1997 campaign.
Sprague could help deliver a rare "double-double" to Quaker State, which is
an associate sponsor for Winston Cup leader Jeff Gordon. Should both drivers
hang on to win their respective titles, Quaker State would reign supreme on
two of NASCAR three major circuits.
"I feel good about where we are, there's no doubt about that," Sprague said.
"But we've got a lot of work left to do. There will be no letting up on my
part or any member of this crew. We want to get this thing done for
ourselves, Quaker State and Hendrick Motorsports."
Bickle had managed to pare Sprague's lead down to just 49 points following
the Hanes 250 on Sept. 27, but a 12th-place finish on Sunday following an
incident with Boris Said added 28 points to his deficit. Sprague was to the
"point" when evaluating his most recent performance in the Quaker State 4x4
Motor Oil Chevrolet.
"We did what we had to do for the points," he said. "We finished fifth, that
isn't too bad. Points are awarded for consistency. There are drivers that
have won more this year, but they've had worse finishes than me too. It's a
good system. Do I feel bad? No, that's the way it should be."
So, as the truck series heads to Bakersfield, CA for its next event, the
Dodge California Truckstop 300 on Sunday, Sprague has a little more breathing
room. However, he also knows that he can't let up on the throttle if the
possibility of a championship is to become a reality.
One question facing Sprague at seemingly every turn involves the possibility
of him graduating to the Winston Cup circuit next season. But for now, he has
his sights set solely on the 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.
After losing out to eventual winner Ron Hornaday last season, the benefits of
keeping a short-term focus are not lost on Sprague.
"Right now I'm concentrating on this year and then we'll have to go from
there," Sprague said. "Winston Cup does not hinge on (a championship). The
truck title would mean a lot to me, my family and especially my crew. They
have worked really hard. I think it's only right to focus on the matter on
hand and let the rest take care of itself. We'll go out these last few races
and try to do what we always do."
And if you look at Sprague's track record this season, and especially his
performance down the stretch in '96 when he won the circuit's last two
events, you know that means consistently being among the best.
By Muhleman Marketing
