Hornaday wins 20th race

Web posted June 21, 1998

Associated Press

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Ron Hornaday celebrated his 40th birthday with his 20th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory, Saturday night's Loadhandler 200 race at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The 1996 series champion won his third race of the season by edging Jack Sprague after the two had swapped the lead four times. Hornaday took over for good after 73 laps.

Sprague got a final chance when the race's 10th caution waved on lap 198 after Dave Rezendes crashed his Ford into the backstretch wall. The yellow flag extended the scheduled 200-lap distance by six laps but Hornaday was able to power his Chevrolet away from Sprague to win by 0.854-second.

The victory was worth $35,675. Hornaday, who started from the pole, averaged 80.833 mph.

Sprague, who also drove a Chevrolet, finished where he started, as did the third-place Ford of Joe Ruttman. Mike Wallace brought his Chevrolet from the eighth starting position to claim fourth, followed by Randy Tolsma in a Chevy.

Tony Raines, Ron Barfield, Kevin Cywinski, Jimmy Hensley and Bryan Reffner completed the top 10, with all but Reffner completing all 206 laps.

``Happy Father's Day. What a day!'' said Hornaday, who brought his father, a two-time NASCAR Winston West Series champion, to driver introductions before the start of the race.

Hornaday said Sprague ``got behind us a couple of times and loosened us up. I had to play with him and let him lead a couple of times. I tried to run the high line and save the tires and it worked for me.''

Hornaday's other victories were in the season opener at Orlando, Fla., and at Phoenix.

Sprague's record 21st consecutive top 10 finish, breaking a record he'd shared with Hornaday, allowed him to remain atop the driver standings. He leads Hornaday by 72 points.