Jack Sprague Texas Preview
#16 CHEVY TRUCKS SILVERADO
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
2004 FAST FACTS
EVENT: O’REILLY 400K (167 LAPS, 400 KILOMETERS) TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
DATE: June 11, 2004 TIME: SPEED Channel TV Live coverage: 9:00 PM ET (8:00
PM CT)
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Only three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion – 1997, 1999,
2001
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Leading NCTS money winner exceeding $4.8 million in winnings
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Only driver to start all 170 events as NCTS full-time competitor 1995-2001
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Holds series records for total top-five and top-ten finishes in NCTS
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Holds series records for most lead lap finishes (138-78.9%) and races running
at the finish (159-90.9%)
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Second on all time NCTS win list (needs 2 wins to tie, 3 to be all-time series
winner)
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Second on all time NCTS starts list
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IWX Racing defending NCTS Championship team
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IWX Racing winner of two consecutive NCTS championships – 2002 and 200
JACK SPRAGUE QUOTES:
On Texas Motor Speedway: “Texas has always been one of my favorite tracks
on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit. Although sometimes the finishes
didn’t reflect how well we have run, I have always had good races at
TMS. It is definitely a fast track with room to pass.
What has always impressed me the most is that since the first time we raced
here is how accommodating the management and staff of the track have always
been to everyone in the NCTS. Anytime there have been issues with the track
and Eddie (Gossage) addressed them immediately and kept working on different
things until they got it right. Now they have the safer barriers. I hope
I don’t have an opportunity to test them but it knowing they are there
is a positive for any driver.
My Chevy Trucks/IWX Racing Silverado team has had tremendous runs here on
the way to their back-to-back NCTS Championships. I am looking forward
to a good
run this weekend.
On NCTS Season through first six races: “We have had an up and down season
is the best way to put it I guess. We were going to be ok at Daytona before
we got into the crash. At Atlanta, we were just terrible. Both Martinsville
and Mansfield we were awesome. Charlotte I had a rocket ship before the left
front tire went down and then it was one thing right after another after that.
Dover we weren’t perfect, but we weren’t bad either. The way the
yellows flew messed us up but it did the same thing to others. We are in the
top-ten in points and only 157 points out of first. We need to get a good,
consistent rhythm going to chip away at the points’ leaders. There is
a tremendous depth of talent on this #16 Chevy Trucks Silverado team. We have
every resource we need to win races and the championship. I am confident we
are headed the right direction.
On what Sprague and family do when they visit Texas Motor Speedway: “I
am fortunate to have a motor coach at every race which gives me some of the
comforts of home. I am a home body so at the track, Rhonda, Paige and I enjoy
cooking out and just hanging around the coach. It gives me a little more time
with my family. If we decide to venture out for a meal, there is no shortage
of great restaurants to choose from near the track. We usually find a good
steakhouse or a great Mexican food place, two of the specialties of Texas.
Rhonda tells me the shopping is awesome so she takes advantage of that if time
allows. I leave that to her!
#16 CHEVY TRUCKS SILVERADO
THE RACEDAY CREW:
Team Manager: Dave Fuge
Crew Chief: Chris Showalter
Jackman: Randy Dean
Gasman: John Figler
Front tire changer: George Stone
Rear tire changer: Michael Byrd
Engineer: Shane Martin
Front tire carrier: Jeffrey Reeves
Rear tire carrier: Billy Fredell
2nd gascan: Tom Gomez
Catchcan: Jason Pasch
Scorer: Sara Dykehouse
Statistician: Dawn Fuge
Spotter: Dave Fuge
Tire Specialist: Jason Guntorius
Engine Maintenance: Bobby Jones
Pit Support/Catch tires: Terry Lynch
Pit Board: Mike Kibbe
