Truck Champ Sprague Feted

December 10, 1999 / 5:47 PM EST / AP

Jack Sprague celebrated his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship Friday, accepting awards of more than $350,000 during the tour's awards banquet.

Sprague, 35, winner of three races and $834,016 this year, also became the series' leading money winner. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has won $3.1 million in 122 races in the series.

Sprague dedicated the championship to team owner Rick Hendrick, who was among the Fairmont Hotel celebrants. In 1997, when Sprague won his first title, Hendrick was ill with leukemia and was unable to attend the championship festivities.

"Where would I be today without Rick and John Hendrick and the entire Hendrick organization? Your motorsports operation is second to none," Sprague said. "I truly thank you for the opportunity you have given me, along with the team support and equipment to win championships for you.

Hendrick was honored as the series' top owner, and crew chief Dennis Connor also was recognized. The organization has won at least one race and one pole in each of the tour's five seasons.

The series' top-20 drivers divided a championship fund of $1.634 million. Runner-up finisher Greg Biffle, winner of a record nine events in 1999, ran his season total to $763,238 to become the series' 12th driver to win $1 million in a career.

Third-place Dennis Setzer banked a career-high $628,835.

Ford Motor Co. was honored with its first manufacturer championship. Mike Stefanik was selected rookie of the year, and Dennis Setzer the most popular driver.