“Putting Together all the Pieces”
Sprague and Team Begin to Gel as the NASCAR Truck Series Season Kicks into High Gear
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (March 14, 2008) – Jack Sprague and the No. 2 American Commercial Lines (ACL)/RVs.com team knew that it would take a few races to gel for a new team and a new driver. Last season the No. 2 truck competed on a part time basis with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) co-owner Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Cale Gale. However, as the 2008 season begins to kick into high gear Sprague and team seem to have hit their stride taking them straight to the top of the leader board.
At Atlanta Motor Speedway Sprague and team began putting all the pieces together as they laid down the fifth fastest qualifying lap, ran in the top 10 all race long and ultimately finished the race sixth. Sprague scored the first top-10 finish of the 2008 season for the No. 2 team and moved up eight positions in the point standing to 15th.
“We were a third-place truck in Atlanta, but were caught up during that last caution with the rain,” said Sprague. “I really see this team growing. My truck handled great all race,” continued Sprague. “After our bad luck at Daytona and handling issues at California, the way we ran this weekend gives me and this team a lot of encouragement as we head to a place I love Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.”
“I’m really pleased with our progress,” said crew chief Ernie Cope. “I think we had a lot of pressure on us as we began this year. By Hornaday winning the championship last year for KHI and being paired with a three-time champion in Jack, it has been tough not losing sight of the fact that we are a brand new team,” commented Cope. “We have all began communicating really well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The pieces of the puzzle continue to fall into place as Sprague and his No. 2 ACL/RVs.com team topped the charts during the first and second day of testing at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway this week. Sprague recorded top laps of 20.062 and 19.792 seconds around the famous paperclip shaped .526-mile track.
“We are just trying some stuff,” said Sprague. “I’ve always had a good amount of success here at Martinsville. I think that the key when we come back is qualifying. It is so hard to pass here. If you can qualify up front, have a good handling truck and be in the top five at the end then you have a shot at the win. The entire team and I are excited about the first short-track race of the season.”
Sprague’s reputation at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway precedes him. In 15 starts Sprague has accumulated one win, three poles, three top-five and eight top-10 finishes.
ABOUT KEVIN HARVICK INC.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full time Truck Series teams: the No. 33 Camping World/VFW Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday as well as the No. 2 American Commercial Lines (ACL)/RVs.com Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Camping World/RoadLoans.com/ Rheem Chevrolet driven by two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday and Cale Gale and the No. 77 Rheem/VFW Chevrolet driven by Cale Gale and Ron Hornaday competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. 2008 marks KHI’s fifth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Please visit <http://www.kevinharvickinc.com> www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.
