Sprague overcame a variety...
Sprague overcame a variety of obstacles to build a career that led to driving for Rick Hendrick.
SCR: Gene Haas and Haas CNC has been a longtime associate sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports. He is now becoming a Winston Cup owner. You will be running a handful of Winston Cup races with them while still under the Hendrick Motorsports umbrella.
Sprague: I'll tell you I had my reservations. I don't know these guys. I was thinking I would run trucks for four or five more years and then hide out in the woods somewhere riding snowmobiles and motorcycles, spending time with my kid. Now all of a sudden I am in the 38-week rat race. I was thinking, "Man I never even thought about driving for anybody except Rick." I talked to Rick about 20 times about it. Finally he said, "Damn it Jack, just pretend I am the owner. It is the same thing. It is the same stuff. You're just going to get a check from them. It is under my umbrella; I'm just not paying the bill." Rick said this was the best situation he could put me in, and I believe him. Since then I have gotten to know everyone with Gene Haas Motorsports and they are good dudes. They are not trying to come in here and turn the apple cart upside down. They are with us.
SCR: What do you see yourself doing if you are not racing?
Sprague: Playing. I've worked the last seven years and been pretty frugal. We don't have the $3 million house. We certainly have what we need and have plenty of toys. But, I have worked it to where my family can remain with the same lifestyle we have now.
SCR: What makes racing exciting for you?
Sprague: It is a disease. I like to win-at anything. It is just a cool feeling. I can get the same feeling running a snowmobile or four-wheelers, except you're not doing it to win. I just like the speed, horsepower, anything with motors on it. I found a way to do it and make a living.
Bio
Name: Jack Sprague
Age: 37
Hometown:Spring Lake, MI
Resides: Concord, NC
Marital Status: Married, Rhonda; daughter, Paige
Racing Involvement: Driver of the No. 24 NetZero Chevy Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Busch Series; three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.