BUSCH: Indianapolis: Jack Sprague IRP preview

Sprague, NetZero Chevy ready for busy Indy weekend.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 27, 2002) - When the NASCAR Busch Series visits Indianapolis Raceway Park Saturday, Jack Sprague and his NetZero team hope proven chassis notes and past on-track success will get them to Victory Lane in the Kroger 200.

"It was around this time last year that this team began turning things around in the Truck Series," said Sprague. "We won at New Hampshire a few weeks before, then went on to win at IRP. IRP has always been good to my team and me, so hopefully we can use some of our old notes and experience to get a good run in the NetZero Chevy. We're bringing the same car I won with at Nashville in June, so we know we have a car capable of winning."

Sprague has had more than his share of success at the .686-mile oval IRP track. The Spring Lake, MI native has seven NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts there highlighted by two wins - last year's Power Stroke 200 and the 1998 Cummins 200. Sprague also has two NCTS runner-up finishes at IRP and an average starting spot of sixth despite never winning a Bud Pole at the track.

"Most tracks are run on the bottom, but at IRP, you run around the top," Sprague stated. "You run up against the wall almost all the way around the track and you have to be very careful you don't get into the wall. It's a lot of fun and a very challenging track. I always look forward to going back and racing there especially feeling like I can win. It's a track I've never really had bad luck at and hope it doesn't start now. I can remember some really great races there. The 1998 event is one of the best I can think of. The fans were so mad when I beat Ron Hornaday after a heated battle. It was pretty awesome."

The Kroger 200 will mark Sprague's first visit to IRP in a Busch Series event. It will be a busy weekend for the talented driver, as he will also compete in the fourth and final IROC Series race of the 2002 season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The only NCTS driver to ever be invited to race in the IROC Series, Sprague will be making several trips between the two tracks Saturday.

"My schedule this week is busy," said Sprague. "We have just enough time to pack after Colorado and we're off to a two-day test at Kentucky. I'll test the Cup car and head to Indy for IROC practice, but Saturday is going to be tough. I'll have to put in a little time in the Busch car and then jump in a helicopter over to the big track. I know Jeff Green did it last year and had time for both events, so I know the schedule is at least doable. I'm just grateful my team understands how important these IROC races are to me and are willing to work around the schedule. This weekend will be the last race for me in an IROC car and I'm looking forward to going out with a really good run."

Sprague enters this weekend's IRP race coming off a 14th-place finish in the most recent NBS event at Pikes Peak International Raceway. He is third in the 2002 NBS championship standings heading into the 200-lap IRP event.

The Kroger 200 will take the green flag Saturday, August 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The event marks the 22nd of 34 NASCAR Busch Series races this and will be telecast live on TNT. MRN Radio will also broadcast the race live.

ABOUT NETZERO:
NetZero is a United Online company. United Online is a leading value-priced Internet service provider that commenced operations in September 2001 as the result of its acquisition of NetZero and Juno Online Services -- two of the most recognized Internet access brands in the United States and Canada. Through its subsidiaries, United Online offers both free and value-priced Internet access services in more than 5,000 cities. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., with offices in New York City and Hyderabad, India. United Online's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol "UNTD."

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