Sprague and Hendrick headed for Busch Series
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
December 14, 2001
5:11 PM EST (2211 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Jack Sprague and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Ricky Hendrick will move to the Busch Series in 2002 as anticipated.
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Jack Sprague
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Sprague, a three-time Craftsman Truck Series champion, and Hendrick both have prior experience in the Busch Series; but this is the first full-time venture for the duo.
In many respects, the Hendrick duo will look the same in Busch as they did in Trucks. Both teams will keep the same sponsors -- NetZero for Sprague and GMAC Financial Services for Hendrick.
Sprague and Hendrick also bring their current crew chiefs along for the move. Sprague will retain Dennis Connor and Hendrick will have Lance McGrew calling the shots for him above the pit box.
"This will mark a new direction for us," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "It's a new challenge for everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. We've been fortunate enough to have a lot of success in the NASCAR Winston Cup and Craftsman Truck Series.
"We'd like to think we can do the same with Jack and Ricky in the Busch Series."
In 2001, Sprague captured his record third Craftsman Truck Series championship en route to becoming the all-time money winner in the series. The beginning of next season marks the end of an era for Sprague and for Trucks. He is the only driver to compete in every Craftsman Truck Series race since its inception in 1995.
But Sprague isn't worried about making the transition from full-time in Trucks to full-time in the Busch Series. Sprague already has 75 Busch Series starts. He won a Bud Pole Award at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 1991 and had a career-best finish of second at New River Valley Speedway in 1992.
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Ricky Hendrick
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"This is definitely the best situation I could as for going to the Busch
Series because basically all we are doing is changing vehicles," Sprague said.
"Greg Biffle (2000 NCTS champion) did the transition to the Busch Series with his same truck team with flying colors last season. So, I don't see any reason why we can't do the same. The fact that we are bringing the same sponsor with us -- NetZero -- is also a huge plus for the program."
Meanwhile, the younger Hendrick already has 16 Busch Series starts under his belt, and is looking forward to a longer foray in that series.
"We were in the Truck Series to learn and that is exactly what we did," Ricky Hendrick said. "I'll never forget my rookie year in the Craftsman Truck Series. The experience we gained was invaluable and certain to be a big help to me as my career moves forward into the Busch Series."
Part of that learning curve was Hendrick capturing his first and only Craftsman Truck Series victory at Kansas and finishing runner-up for rookie of the year honors.
"The one-team, two-vehicle concept worked great in the Truck Series and should really benefit both Jack and I again in the Busch Series," the younger
Hendrick said. "Lance will continue as my crew chief. But, we'll have the ability to work with Dennis and Jack as one team during the week and then share information with them at the racetrack on the weekends."
Both drivers begin the season in their new division with the season-opening event at Daytona in February.
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