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Jack Sprague, crew chief Dennis Connor, and Hendrick Motorsports begin their third full season together in 1999. The 84-race relationship, which began Aug. 19, 1995 at Flemington (NJ) Speedway, is the longest in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. From 1996 through 1998, Sprague has averaged 4.33 wins and 16.67 top-five and 22.33 top-10 finishes per season. Sprague's started second or higher in 20 of those 84 events since joining Hendrick on a fulltime basis, won one championship (1997), finished second twice, and lost the 1998 title (to Ron Hornaday) by three points, which matched the closest margin in any major NASCAR touring series. In 1998, he led the point standings after 17 of 27 events then lost the lead to Hornaday with two races remaining. Four of his five '98 victories came at facilities where he had never won previously, failed to win a race at Phoenix International Raceway for the first time since 1995, won more short track events (three) than on speedways (two), won a road course event, although he's finished second at Heartland Park Topeka. In 97 career starts, he has suffered just three DNFs finishing 52 starts before being sidelined by engine failure at Texas Motor Speedway in June 1997. His first victory came at Phoenix, April 1996, finishing 10 of 13 events in the top-10 driving an unsponsored Chevrolet for Bruce Griffin, prior to joining Hendrick Motorsports in August 1995. Sprague has more than 70 starts in the NASCAR Busch Series with his best finish being a second in 1992 at Radford, Va. Sprague won 20 NASCAR Winston Racing Series late model races at Concord NC in 1994 to finish second in regional championship competition. When not racing, Sprague enjoys riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles with his wife Rhonda. To join his fan club online you can go to http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com You can also join by writing to Jack Sprague Fan Club 280 Hwy. 29 South, Suite #120 Box 173 Concord, N.C. 28227 |
