Xpress Motorsports and Jack Sprague Part Ways for Remainder of 2005 NASCAR Craft
October 7, 2005 Xpress Motorsports and Jack Sprague Part Ways for Remainder of 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season Mooresville, NC – Xpress Motorsports, winners of the 2002 and 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championships and driver Jack Sprague, the only three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, have decided to part ways for the remainder of the 2005 season. The move is effective immediately with each party looking to prepare for the future. Xpress Motorsports won back-to-back championships with two different drivers in the two seasons leading up to the hiring of Sprague (Mike Bliss-2002 & Travis Kvapil-2003). The team has been active in the Craftsman Truck Series off and on since 1996, but made a full time return to the series in 2002. Xpress Motorsports has fielded some of the biggest names in the sport including Ron Hornaday, Mike Bliss, Travis Kvapil, Randy Tolsma, and Sprague. Four of the five are former champions of the series. After Xpress Motorsports announced the hiring of Jack Sprague, many felt that the combination would see both picking up where they left off. After all, the two had combined for five of the ten possible championships in the truck series. However, both Xpress and Sprague felt their relationship had not produced the on-track successes that they were accustomed to. Dave Fuge, owner of the #16 Chevy Trucks Chevrolet Silverado had this to say about the mutual agreement, “Jack is a very experienced and accomplished driver and his record speaks for itself. My team is very good and our record also says a lot about the success that Xpress Motorsports has enjoyed in the series. Sometimes in this business, certain combinations just don’t work no matter what achievements have been made in the past. Jack is a great driver and we wish him the best in the future.�?? “In NASCAR racing, team chemistry is the key to every level of success�??, said Sprague. Xpress Motorsports and everyone associated with the team know how to win races and championships. They have given me fast trucks every week and while we have had some success, we have had a lot of bad luck along the way. It was hard on everyone and when the chemistry isn’t quite right, it takes a toll on people much more quickly. I wish them the best of luck the remainder of 2005 and beyond.�?? Bobby Labonte, 2000 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion will drive the No. 16 Chevy Trucks Silverado in the series’ next race at Martinsville Speedway on October 22nd. Labonte is the most recent winner at the track in the Craftsman Truck Series, scoring his first win in the series in the Spring event. Xpress Motorsports will name a driver for the remainder of the season at a later time. “Chevrolet is racing trucks to win races and win championships,�?? said Dayne Pierantoni, Program Manger for GM Racing, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Quite often in life you need to alter your plans to accomplish your goals. We are focused on bringing our Xpress Motorsports Silverado back into victory lane. At this time we feel like a change is needed in order to move forward. Jack has been a great partner of Chevrolet with many wins and championships. He will continue to be a friend to many of us at GM Racing. Bobby Labonte will be driving our Chevy Trucks Silverado at Martinsville looking for back to back wins. We are finalizing our plans beyond Martinsville as we speak.�?? “I would like to thank Chevrolet for the opportunity to drive the No. 16 Chevy Trucks Silverado,�?? concluded Sprague. “They have stood behind me and supported me my entire career. I have made life-long friends with many people through the GM Racing program and I have always enjoyed being part of the Chevrolet Family. The greatest successes in my career have been in Chevrolets.�?? For additional information on GM Racing Chevrolet Team Silverado, log on to _http://www.gm.com/company/racing/index.jsp_ (http://www.gm.com/company/racing/index.jsp) or _http://media.gm.com/division/gmracing/index.html_ (http://media.gm.com/division/gmracing/index.html) . General Motors Corp. , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company’s consumer website at _www.gm.com_ (http://www.gm.com/) .