Sprague's third title did not come easily
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 6, 2001
11:15 AM EST (1615 GMT)
MIAMI -- Jack Sprague epitomized the word "determination" in 2001.
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Jack Sprague has started every Craftsman Truck Series race since 1995.
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From a 12th-place finish in the season-opener at Daytona to an early-race tangle in the season finale at Fontana, Sprague and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team overcame its share of adversity to clinch the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title.
Sprague's consistency showed with four wins, 15 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. It was his third series championship, breaking a tie with Ron Hornaday.
"I have been very fortunate," said Sprague, a native of Spring Hill, Mich. "I'm very proud of what I've accomplished, what Hendrick Motorsports has accomplished in the Truck Series. I'm just doing what I love to do."
While doing what he loves, the 37-year-old also set a few records along the way.
Sprague set a series high of seven Bud Pole Awards. He also set the mark for most laps led (1,380), most miles led (1,431), and most top-five finishes (15).
Sprague now holds the series records for most top-fives (98), most top 10s (133) and pole positions (20), plus most laps led, laps completed, miles led and miles completed.
Sprague is also the
Craftsman Truck Series' all-time leading money winner, with more than $4.3 million earned.
"If all the records and recognition come with that, that's cool," Sprague said. "That's not why I'm doing it. It's not about records or money. I make a decent living.
"I race to win and I race to win championships. Like I said, I race because I love it and that's enough for me."
At Martinsville, Sprague was honored for his 150th series start. He was the only driver to compete in every Craftsman Truck Series race since its inception in 1995. He also cleared the mark of racing more than 24,000 miles in his career this year.
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Ted Musgrave
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His first victory of 2001, at Texas, broke a 22-race drought dating back to last season.
At Indianapolis Raceway Park, Sprague scored the 22nd victory of his career. Along the way, he set a new series record by leading in 11 straight races and took over the points lead for the first time this season.
Ted Musgrave had a series-high seven trips to Victory Lane -- including a win in the final race of the season -- 13 top-fives and 18 top-10s to finish second.
Joe Ruttman made a serious bid for the championship as well, with two victories, 10 top-fives and 20 top-10s.
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Joe Ruttman
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Rookie of the year Travis Kvapil will return next year, looking to capitalize on his one victory, 11 top-fives and 18 top-10s, giving him a fourth-place finish in the points.
Early-season point leader Scott Riggs watched his hopes of a championship go awry in the latter part of the year. And his bid for second went into the wall during the season finale at California.
The Ultra Motorsports Dodge was dominant early in the year, as Riggs won five poles and five races. However, the last race pretty much summed up the latter part of his season, as Riggs finished 31st and fell to fifth in points.
Riggs will be moving to the Busch Series next year.
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Travis Kvapil
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"That was a tough blow," Riggs said. "We came into this race with pretty high hopes. We had a great truck, but there was nothing left of it after the wreck.
"That was my last race with Team ASE and Ultra Motorsports and I really wanted it to end on a high note. We had a great year together anyway as we won five poles and five races and that's nothing to sneeze at.
"No matter what the final points sheet says, this was a championship-caliber season. I've had the time of my life with these guys this year. We've become
like brothers and I'll remember this season for the rest of my life."
In sixth place, Ricky Hendrick won one race this year and was the only other rookie to finish in the top 10. He had eight top-fives and 19 top-10s. Although not officially announced, he is believed to be moving to the Busch Series.
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Scott Riggs
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Despite no victories, Terry Cook put together a consistent effort, with five top-fives and 16 top-10s to finish seventh.
Eighth-place finisher Rick Crawford changed his motor program late in the season and the improvement was immediate. He finished with a career-high 10 top-five finishes and 16 top-10s.
Dennis Setzer found victory lane at Memphis this year to add to his eight top-fives and 15 top-10s, giving him a solid ninth-place finish.
Coy Gibbs had two top-fives and seven top-10s to round out the final top 10.
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