Sprague Salvages 16th Place Finish at Martinsville Short Track

Martinsville, Va. (April 2, 2007) – Jack Sprague and the Wyler Racing team were excited to return to Martinsville Speedway where they were victorious in 2006 and it appeared that the team returned right where they left off after closing out both practice sessions second on the scoring sheets, qualifying 5th, and running in the top-five nearly all afternoon.  But Sprague was a victim of circumstances late in the race and was forced to pit for repairs after contact from another competitor resulted in damage to his left front fender.  Despite the damage, the Con-way Freight team rallied together, stayed on the lead lap, and battled back to 16th in the closing laps of the Kroger 250 on Saturday.

Sprague qualified the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra 5th after laying down a lap of 19.811 seconds at a speed of 95.583 miles per hour.  With a respectable starting spot, Sprague took the green flag for the start of the 250-lap race.  With the threat of rain looming, Sprague wasted no time working his way into the fourth position by lap 17.  The Con-way Freight Toyota was a little “loose in and tight in the center” at the start of the race. 

Sprague managed to avoid the events first four cautions before he had the opportunity to hit pit road for a few adjustments.  Crew Chief Tony Furr brought the Con-way Freight Toyota down pit road on lap 75 for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. After a good stop, the Con-way Freight crew returned Sprague to the track in 5th position.  Sprague remained in the top-five and avoided the next three caution flags before keying the radio to tell Furr that his Con-way Freight Toyota was “not horrible, but a little tight”. 

Sprague moved into fourth position on lap 124 where he remained until lap 187 when a lap truck hit the infamous short tracks curb and ran into Sprague as he was making the pass.  With damage to his left front fender, Sprague pitted for repairs under caution.  The Con-way Freight crew rallied together and under the direction of Furr, cut away the left front fender on lap 192.  Sprague returned to the track to remain on the lead lap, then hit pit road for right side tires on lap 194.  Furr again called his driver to pit road on lap 195 for left side tires, returning the Con-way Freight Toyota to the track in 19th position.

When the race returned to green flag competition, Sprague methodically worked through lap traffic and into 17th on lap 211.  When the caution was displayed for a wreck in turn four just two laps later, Sprague hit pit road.  His Toyota was running a little hot, so the crew used the caution to remove tape from the grill and make a track bar adjustment.  Sprague returned to pit road again on lap 215 where the crew pulled the grill opening out to allow more air flow to the radiator.

Sprague returned to the track 20th and took the opportunity to hit pit road for more grill work under caution on laps 226 and 229.  Sprague remained focused, avoided the events final two cautions, and picked up four spots to finish 16th.  “Thanks for all your help, guys”, said Sprague following the race.  “I appreciate all your hard work.”

Sprague slid from fourth to sixth in the Championship Point Standings but sits only 36 points out of fifth place. Sprague is credited with 564 points, 181 points behind point’s leader, Mike Skinner.
Sprague and the Wyler Racing team will return to action at Kansas Speedway on April 28th for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. Live television coverage will be provided by SPEED Channel at 5:30 p.m. ET with radio coverage broadcast live on MRN.