Sprague Earns Fifth at Rainy Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2002) -- Jack Sprague brought home another NASCAR Busch Series top-10 finish at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Saturday, earning fifth place in the rain-delayed Gatorade 200. Driving the No. 24 NetZero Chevy, the three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, sitting third in the Busch Series driver standings, garnered his eighth top five and 13th top-10 finish of 2002, but failed to make up ground in the points race as leader Greg Biffle finished fourth. Ricky Hendrick, Sprague’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, came in 33rd on Saturday after getting together with Kerry Earnhardt early in the event. Completing 56 of 74 possible laps, the Busch Series rookie finished the race running, although repairs to the No. 5 GMAC Monte Carlo put him 18 laps off the pace. After just 19 starts this season, Hendrick is 26th in the Busch Series standings after missing six races due to a shoulder injury. NASCAR Winston Cup Series regular Jeff Burton dominated the rain-shortened event, winning at Darlington for the second time this season in the Busch Series. Jason Keller finished second and Jeff Green third, followed by Biffle and Sprague to round out the top five.