Jack Sprague – No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra O’Reilly 200 Race Preview

Memphis Motorsports Park - Race 12 of 25 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; Racetrack:  Memphis Motorsports Park; Race:  O’Reilly 200; Location:  Millington, Tenn.; Track Length:  .75-mile Paved Oval; Race Distance:  200 Laps / 150 Miles; Broadcast Coverage:  SPEED; Radio Coverage:  MRN; Date:  Saturday, June 30, 2007; Time:  9 p.m. ET.

Jack Sprague is the Defending Race Winner:
Just as the world associate’s Elvis Pressley to Graceland, Jack Sprague should be associated to Memphis Motorsports Park.  Even though the three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Champion doesn’t hail from Memphis, there’s something about the ¾-mile track that suits Sprague’s driving style.  Sprague is returning to Memphis Motorsports Park this weekend as the defending race winner who led a dominating 133 laps from the pole to claim the win in last year’s O’Reilly 200.

Jack Sprague on Racing in Memphis:

“We have always run well at Memphis,” explained Sprague.  “I really like the track. I have gotten a couple of pole’s there and have two wins, so I feel like I have a good feel for how to drive the track.  My Con-way Freight team won there last year, so I am confident going in that we have a truck that is capable of winning.  Like every short track, track position is key.  You have to stay out of trouble to be there at the end.” 

Jack Sprague on Racing to Remember in Memphis:
Jack Sprague would like to win in Memphis, not only to add another trophy to his collection, but to dedicate the win to his fallen friend and fellow racer, Bobby Hamilton, Sr., who died earlier this year from terminal head and neck cancer at the age of 49.  Tennessee’s Governor has declared June 30th as “Bobby Hamilton Day” at Memphis Motorsports Park and it would be special for Sprague to win in honor of his fallen friend.   “Bobby was such a great guy and a true racer,” said Sprague.  “It would mean a lot to win on Saturday in the race that is dedicated to his memory.”  Sprague’s memories of Hamilton run deep.  The two raced side-by-side in heated battles as two of the Craftsman Truck Series’ most seasoned veterans, but managed to maintain their friendship both on and off the track.  “You knew you could count on Bobby,” said Sprague.   Sprague and Hamilton last raced together at Memphis Motorsports Park in 2005 when the pair sat alongside each other on the second row for the start of the O’Reilly 200.  Hamilton went on to finish 6th while Sprague took the checkered flag in 13th.  “Bobby was a good, hard, racer,” continued Sprague.  “It’s hard to believe we’ll be returning to Memphis without Bobby this year.”

Jack Sprague on How Tough it is to Win at Memphis:
“I don’t know that Memphis is any tougher than anywhere else,” explained Sprague.  “It’s just Memphis is just a little different track.  One and two is certainly a different corner than three and four.  You have to compromise so you can get around both corners well and that’s hard to do.  The first time I won there was a bit of luck.  The second time I won there wasn’t.  We had a great truck last year with the Con-way Freight Toyota.  But it’s just a hard track to get a hold of.  It eats tires.  And it gets slippery and you’ve just got to be handling well.”

Jack Sprague on Who the Track Favors:
“I think Memphis favors drivers that have been there a few times and know what to expect,” said Sprague.  “If you haven’t, it will certainly surprise you because it’s very difficult to get a hold of.”

Jack Sprague Helped Honor Con-way Freight’s Million-Milers:
Jack Sprague visited Memphis on May 22nd in collaboration with Memphis Motorsports Park, Con-way Freight and Toyota.  Jack participated in some radio shows in the morning and took part in a luncheon held for the media and Con-way customers at Con-way Freight’s Memphis Service Center, one of Con-way’s largest facilities with over 100,000 square feet, 216 dock doors, across 38 acres.  Along with Jack’s media functions at the luncheon, he also helped honor 28 drivers who obtained their “Million Mile” status for completing one million miles over-the-road accident free. 

Jack Sprague Signs the Memphis Marriott Downtown:
The Memphis Marriott Downtown will be onboard the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park.  The Memphis Marriott Downtown is the largest hotel in Memphis and features fabulous views of the city skyline. Guest rooms and suites feature Marriott’s Revive Bedding as well as amenities like high-speed Internet access and spacious work desks.  To make your reservation, call (901) 527-7300 or visit www.wylerracing.com for a direct link to the Memphis Marriott Downtown’s reservation page where a special NASCAR rate is available.

Sprague’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Stats at Memphis:
Throughout his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career at Memphis Motorsports Park (MMP), Sprague has competed in seven events, accruing two wins, two top-five finishes, five top-ten finishes, and he has led 288 laps. 

 7 starts, 1355 of 1404 laps completed (96.5%), 288 laps led

Win:     2 ( 28.6%)     Average start:   4.4     Total Winnings: $159,215

Top 5:   2 ( 28.6%)     Average finish:  9.0

Top 10:  5 ( 71.4%)     DNF: 0

(Statistics courtesy of www.racing-reference.info)

Introducing the 2007 Wyler Racing Team!:

About Con-way Freight:
Con-way Freight is North America's premier commercial freight transportation company. Known for its high performing employees and superior service levels, the company  provides less-than-truckload,  services to commercial and industrial businesses in the United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto, Canada and Mexico. With annual revenues of over $2.8 billion in 2006 and over 20,000 employees, Con-Way's operating successes have made it an industry leader.