They enter Friday night's American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway looking to recover from uncharacteristically slow starts to their seasons, both for themselves and for Chevrolet. Of the 20 possible top-10 finishes in the first two races of the year, Chevy drivers have scored three.
Toyota has looked invincible so far, winning the first two races at Daytona and Fontana. Toyota also has swept the top four positions in both races and scored a total of 12 top-10 finishes.
But the Chevrolet program on the intermediate tracks has been strong in recent years. In the seven CTS races at Atlanta, Chevy has four wins including Hornaday's 2005 victory and Kyle Busch's win last October.
"Atlanta is one of those tracks that you can run wide open," said Hornaday, who is ninth in the points standings. "The turns there have almost as much banking as Daytona and Talladega, and you can carry some really good speed going down the straightaways. We sat on the pole and finished second down there last October with a good truck. We tested at Atlanta back in January and did really well; learned some things that I think will pay off for us when we get there for the race."
Sprague is tied for 22nd in the standings but brimming with confidence heading into the third race of the year.
"We ran really well at the test," Sprague said. "We are taking back the same truck and one that has a winning reputation. I think we are going to go back to Atlanta even better than we tested. We need to begin to get the ball rolling in the right direction this season, and I think Atlanta is the perfect place for us to turn our luck around."
Friday's race also marks the NASCAR debut of former Formula One driver Scott Speed.
"The great thing about this truck race for me is that there's zero pressure for me to go out there and bring home some amazing finish," Speed said. "I know what I'm up against -- I have about two hours of practice, then I have to be ready to race. I love throwing myself off the deep end every once in a while."
Fast facts
What: American Commercial Lines 200.
Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway; Hampton, Ga.
When: 9 p.m. ET Friday.
TV: Speed, 8:30 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN/Sirius Satellite Ch. 128.
Track layout: 1.54-mile tri-oval.
Race distance: 130 laps/200.2 miles.
2007 winner: Mike Skinner.
2007 polesitter: Mike Skinner.
Points leaders: 1. Kyle Busch, 365; 2. Todd Bodine, 345; 3. Johnny Benson, 340; 4. David Starr, 284; Rick Crawford, 281; 6. Phillip McGilton, 261; 7. Chad McCumbee, 255; 8. Dennis Setzer, 254; 9. Ron Hornaday Jr., 253; 10. Stacy Compton, 250.
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