HARRISBURG, N.C. (AP) – Haas CNC Racing changed drivers Wednesday, replacing rookie Jack Sprague with John Andretti. Fired last month by Petty Enterprises, Andretti will be in the car for at least the next two races, starting Sunday in Loudon, N.H.

“We are thrilled that there was someone available to us of John Andretti’s caliber, with his vast amount of Winston Cup experience,” general manager Joe Custer said,

But Custer did not commit to Andretti beyond the event July 27 at Pocono Raceway.

Sprague, a three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck series champion, failed to finish better than 14th in 18 starts this season. He was 37th in the points.

“Gene Haas gave me a great opportunity to move into the Winston Cup Series this season,” Sprague said. “Unfortunately, being a rookie team with a rookie owner, rookie crew chief and a rookie driver, and not having a great deal of Winston Cup knowledge, we started off behind the eight ball … and never really got a handle on it.”

“After eight years of winning races and championships, this year has been very frustrating for me, and I’m sure it has been equally as frustrating for them. That said, we decided to part ways and try to find success apart.”

Andretti has been racing full-time in Winston Cup since 1994, with four poles and two victories.

The driver will rejoin crew chief Tony Furr, who was working with Andretti when he won at Daytona in July 1997.

AP-ES-07-16-03 1918EDT