NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300: Notes
30 October 1997
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300 Notes Phoenix International Raceway PHOENIX, AZ - S is for Phoenix -- Jack Sprague and Mike Skinner, the only drivers to have won at Phoenix International Raceway in five previous events. Skinner won both races in 1995, his championship season. Sprague is a record three-for-three, beginning in April 1996. - A fourth consecutive victory would put Sprague in elite company. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series record for consecutive wins on a superspeedway is four -- Bill Elliott at the Michigan Speedway (1985-1986). NASCAR's major series mark is five: Dale Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway (1990-1994). "That would be neat," notes Sprague, who adds, "but I've got the truck record and that's the series we're racing in." - Sprague's average finish at PIR is 2.8. His worst qualifying effort at the venue, since joining Hendrick Motorsports for 1995's fall event, is second (in April 1996). - The only race in the Valley of the Sun that Sprague hasn't led was the series inaugural, when he piloted an unsponsored truck for Bruce Griffin. He finished sixth. Since then, the series point leader has headed 413 of 646 laps. That's 64 percent of available laps. - Sprague has beaten three different competitors at Phoenix: Skinner, Johnny Benson and -- most recently -- Joe Ruttman. April's margin of victory in the Chevy Trucks Desert Star Classic, 13.186 seconds, is the largest in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history. It's also the only double digit MOV. - One thing Sprague didn't do in April was lower his own single-lap qualifying record. That's one of only four time trial marks which haven't fallen in '97. On the other hand, Sprague's 103.053 mph winning speed set a NCTS record for a one-mile track, since bettered by Hornaday at The Milwaukee Mile. - Skinner won the Feb. 5, 1995 event from the 16th starting position, after the GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet had ignition trouble during time trials. Subsequent Phoenix winners have started third or better -- four of them from the front row, with Sprague's most recent pair of victories following Busch Pole efforts. - Phoenix is one of 10 series venues (of 25) at which Ron Hornaday has failed to win. He owns three top-five and five top-10 finishes, a record bettered only by Sprague and Skinner. Current championship hopefuls haven't fared quite as well at PIR. Ruttman's April finish was his second in the top-five, while Mike Bliss and Rich Bickle recorded their first. Among the top-five, only Bickle -- with a 15.33 finishing average -- and Bliss have DNFs here. - Sprague and Ruttman are the only competitors to have completed all 726 miles run at Phoenix, although Rick Carelli is a close third with 723. - NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers have made a big impact on the GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300. None has won but, in sum, they've captured five of 10 possible top-five finishing positions. - In other series news, Elliott, who finished second to Sprague in last year's Carquest 420K finale, will compete in this year's Las Vegas Motor Speedway race. LVMS officials recently announced that the Nov. 9 race will be Nevada Fan Appreciation Day. Nevada residents may obtain one free admission with each paid ticket upon presentation of proper identification...Sealmaster Racing's new primary sponsor, announced at Fontana, is Pioneer Electronics. The PBA Tour moves to associate status on Terry Cook's Chevrolet...Tom Gloy Racing has scheduled a Nov. 1 announcement at PIR to unveil its 1998 backer...several teams are set to announce driver/sponsor plans for 1998 during the Las Vegas weekend. STAT OF THE WEEK: More series races, five, have been contested at Phoenix International Raceway than any other NCTS venue. It's the only track to host more than one race in 1997. Of those five events, only two have been run at the same distance -- 186 miles. Other distances have been 80, 124 and 150 miles. The GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 300 (3:35 pm EST, WTBS, NASCAR Truck Network, live) is a 186-miler. By NASCAR Public Relations
