Chat Transcript: Jack Sprague
November 9, 2001
10:23 AM EST (1523 GMT)
[NASCAR_Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jack Sprague!
[Jack_Sprague] Welcome to all the fans! I am just glad the season is over. I am looking forward to your questions.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [racinghome] Congratulations! What is your favorite thing to do when you are not racing?
[Jack_Sprague] Various things. I like to ride motorcycles and I like to spend time with my little girl. Over the winter I like to go to Michigan and go riding on snowmobiles.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [MaryG11] What goals did you set for yourself this year and did you meet them?
[Jack_Sprague] Well we certainly we wanted to win the Championship again. The second half of last year was disappointing. We didn't get to all our goals this year. We won the Championship, but we could have done so much more. We had mechanical problems that took us out of races that we should have won. We feel like we should have won a few more races than we did, probably because we had them won before we had problems.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Corey1405] Jack, what was the most challenging thing this season?
[Jack_Sprague] Finishing! The first half of the year, that was the hardest thing. The NetZero Chevy was great this year, and whenever it wasn't broke, it was in the front. We had to fix some things in a hurry and that was our challenge, overcoming our problems. Once we did that, we were good to go.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [#24_lives] Jack, how long have you been involved in racing? Have you always raced trucks?
[Jack_Sprague] No, I have only raced trucks since 1995, but I have been racing since 1982, so almost 19 years.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [gotrucks] Which drivers do you like to watch the most in the Winston Cup Series?
[Jack_Sprague] I don't know. I don't think there is any particular driver. I like to watch good racing, not one particular driver.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jack1111] Jack, what happened at the Auto Club 200? Do you feel you deserved the fine?
[Jack_Sprague] I think what happened was pretty obvious. I had never been wrecked on a straightaway before. We changed everything on the truck and we were a little tight, but we got to the front there.
He could have taken his time and got the lead and taken it away. They fined me and that is cool, but the only problem I have is that for 7 years they say this is "tough trucks and tough drivers." Hornaday and I would have paid a fine after every race. If this is how it is going to be, they have to let everyone know.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [LittleEDEIBud8] Hey Jack! You did awesome this year. Congratulations on the Championship! Which track is your most favorite to go to?
[Jack_Sprague] I tell you, I like a lot of racetracks and I like the new ones like Kansas City. If I had to pick one, it would be Phoenix because I won my first truck race there, have run well there, and won some poles there. I really like that place.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [eightsgreat] Congratulations on your win. Was this year tougher to win compared to the others? Good luck next year.
[Jack_Sprague] Thank you, first of all. 1997 was tough but we had a great year. We went into the last few races having it wrapped up. 1999 was a weird deal. This one was tough to win because we had to overcome a lot of mechanical gremlins.
The Dodges were strong all year and we were at a pretty good disadvantage with the Chevy all year and to win under those circumstances was really good and I was proud of that.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [teamsports] Who in your opinion is the best young driver in your series right now?
[Jack_Sprague] Every year there are rookies and they all did a great job. I have never seen a group not screw up a lot. Travis and Ricky both did a great job. It would be hard to pick between those two.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Corey1405] Jack, I'm from Toledo, Ohio, and I heard rumors that the Craftsman truck series might run at the Toledo Speedway next year. Do you if that's true or not?
[Jack_Sprague] I guess anything is possible. I have not heard that rumor, but I have raced there once and I think it would be an awesome race. We need some more short-tracks, but I don't know.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [RustyandRyanfan] Did you enjoy working with Ricky Hendrick this year?
[Jack_Sprague] That was a cool deal. I was a bit worried when it all came down and he would be my teammate, but I thought that the No. 17 truck had 30 guys and we all work on everything.
I was worried about it taking it away from our program and I didn't know if we would gain anything 24-truck wise. I thought it would draw from us, but I haven't had this many trucks I could win with every single week. It helped us and we certainly helped them. It was a positive all the way around and I am looking forward to next year.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [toothpick] Jack, congratulations on your 3rd Championship! You deserve it! What are your plans for next season? Are you moving up to BGN with Ricky? Or are you staying where you are?
[Jack_Sprague] I don't know. That is Rick's decision and when he is ready to tell even me what is going on, I know I am racing something, but I don't know what it is. Whatever he wants us to do is fine with me, quite frankly. If you could quit asking me that question, I would be happy! Hahaha
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [buschrider] What do you consider your greatest on track accomplishment?
[Jack_Sprague] Probably Fontana on 1999, passing Hornaday and Bliss for the Championship. That would probably be the one for on track.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Corey1405] Do you think the Trucks have good aero packages or do you like to be spread apart at superspeedways?
[Jack_Sprague] I don't think you will ever spread anything apart at the superspeedways. The trucks punch a big whole so there is always great drafting. Compared to where they started 7 years ago they are great, but they won't have major downforce like a car. They are fun to drive. Chevy needs more help but I have hurt that cause by winning the Championship, but in the whole world of things, the Trucks are fine.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Racingpirate] What do you think of the Weekly Racing Series? Is it a worthwhile proving ground? I noticed Nick Woodward, South Boston and Southampton track champion, got a chance in a couple Truck series events this year.
[Jack_Sprague] Sure, it is great. That is where I came from. I finished second in my region twice, and you can somewhat afford to do that. Anything you can do in racing will certainly help your chances.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DeeJay3] Is the truck series as fun now as it was when you had all of rivals like Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner?
[Jack_Sprague] Yeah, it was a little bit different kind of fun. The years with Hornaday were irreplaceable. It was fun for me, him, and the fans. It got physical, but it never got bad.
There wasn't a lot of contact or physical stuff this year. I don't think I spun anybody out all year, and that is big for me! I didn't spin anyone out. It was a different kind of fun. We were doing it extremely clean. I can go either way someone wants to go, so it was just a different kind of fun.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [truck#1] What is your weekly routine to get yourself ready for a race?
[Jack_Sprague] There is no routine. I am just at home with my family, riding motorcycles, fixing stuff, just like any other father or house owner. You have to fix stuff and keep stuff fixed. I am only home 3-4 days and then gone 3-4 days, instead of being gone during the day and home at night.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [BRAD] What do you like best about racing?
[Jack_Sprague] Winning is a good answer! This is just a great series. I have gotten really close to everyone. I have been here 7 years and I have a lot of friends in the series. I don't feel like I am going to work, I feel like I am racing for fun.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [DeeJay3] Do you think making smaller cubic engines and smaller carbs would help make restrictor plate racing better and safer?
[Jack_Sprague] I am not a motor dude, I don't know what to tell you. The only thing I know is they need to slow everything down. There is no reason for these drivers to be dying. Someone has to figure out what it is going on. I don't know if those will help the problems. I was deadset against the carb changes, but now I think the Cup cars need to run it.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jack_fan] Jack, are your daughters big race fans?
[Jack_Sprague] I only have one and yes, she knows what is going on. Will she sit there and watch the race and know what is going on, no. I don't want her to get wrapped up in this lifestyle. I want her to have her own lifestyle.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [gojack] Jack, congratulations! What was your first thought when you realized you had won?
[Jack_Sprague] I didn't realize it until after Phoenix was over. Biffle got ahead of me and then I ran him down and then dropped back. I was told not to pass him and with about 10 to go and Dennis told me I won the Championship. I was just glad it was over. It has been a mentally draining year for us and I am just glad it is over.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [jackson52] Who has been the biggest influence in your career? And how has Robert Hamke helped you along the way?
[Jack_Sprague] Probably him. He taught me how to set a racecar up, what I need to do to make it do what I wanted it to. I moved to North Carolina in 1987 and went to work in High Point and worked with him and then I really started winning races. It was like he flipped the switched. I started winning Championships and races after that, so I would say Robert.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Tuttle] Jack, what are your future plans with Hendricks? Are you planning on moving into another NASCAR series? I refrain from using the phrase, "Moving Up to Busch or Cup." Craftsman Trucks are as good as it gets.
[Jack_Sprague] I will do whatever he wants me to do.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [SupermanBSU] Who has been your toughest opponent in all your years with NCTS?
[Jack_Sprague] Hornaday, for sure.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [team_sport] What will you do to celebrate?
[Jack_Sprague] I am not going to Disney World I can tell you that! NetZero is going to throw a party for us. I have had a great time working with them this year. I have won 3 Championships with 3 different sponsors and they are all awesome.
Half the team has to go to the Busch race this weekend, so they will not have the same opportunity to party afterwards, but that is going to happen Thursday night. My wife and my brother and his family are going on a cruise to the Bahamas after that.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [nascarluv] What is the hardest aspect of a Craftsman Truck race?
[Jack_Sprague] Finishing the races earlier in the season.
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [peg_racer] Congratulations on your win! What has been your most embarrassing moment at any racetrack?
[Jack_Sprague] I did the same thing that Mark Martin did a few years back. I came into the pits with one lap to go because I thought I won it! Haha
[NASCAR_Host3] Question from: [Modriver15] What's the transition like from short track racing?
[Jack_Sprague] There is not much. The biggest thing is the aero plays a lot less factor on an intermediate or superspeedways. We were really good at the big tracks because of the aero package. That played the biggest difference for me all year.
[NASCAR_Host3] Jack, thank you! That's all the time we have this evening, do you have any final thoughts?
[Jack_Sprague] I want to thank everyone for being part of this Championship chat. I appreciate all the questions and thanks for supporting my sponsor, NetZero.
| 
