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

Jack Sprague on Racing at Nashville Superspeedway:

“I really like racing at Nashville Superspeedway,” said Sprague.  “The track is smooth, fast and it has plenty of racing room. I haven’t had a lot of luck at Nashville in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but I have had two really good runs there in the Busch Series, including a win. I sure would like to change my fortune there in the Truck Series and get a win – especially this weekend since Toyota is sponsoring the race.”

Jack Sprague on Claiming a Cool Trophy:

Jack Sprague has a few driving factors that will help push him to Victory Lane on Saturday night.  His desire to be the best of the best in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, coupled with his craving to get a win for Con-way Freight and Toyota, and to take home one of the coolest trophies that is given out all season long.  “I really want that guitar. I have two at home, and I want a third one. Last year we came close with a second place finish, but we came up one spot short,” said Sprague.  “Hopefully we can change that this year and add that trophy to our collection.”

Jack Sprague on his Chance for a Win on Saturday:

Even though Sprague has had some tough luck this year, he knows that he is driving for a Championship caliber team.  And there’s no question that Jack Sprague is a Champion.  “Every week, Tony Furr (Crew Chief) and the guys give me Toyota Tundra’s that are capable of winning.  And with the leadership and support that we receive from Jeff and David Wyler (Team Owner’s) and our sponsor, Con-way Freight, it’s only a matter of time before we get this Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra back into Victory Lane.”  Sprague thinks that can happen on Saturday night.  “I really think this Wyler Racing team will have a great run in Nashville,” explained Sprague.  “We nearly won the race last year and I don’t see any reason why we can’t contend for the win when we return.”

Jack Sprague Chases a Bonus from Craftsman:

Craftsman is celebrating its 80th anniversary this month and the “Official Tools of NASCAR” is offering a special bonus for teams competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events during the month of August.  Starting at Nashville, the team leading the race on lap 80 will receive an additional $8,000 prize.  The Craftsman brand was introduced by Sears in 1927 as a line of axes and other cutting tools.  Over the years it has grown to be the iconic brand of tools for mechanics, wood workers, gardeners and do-it-yourselfers.  Today more than 90 percent of America homes have a Craftsman tool, and, according to a 2004 EquiTrend survey, Craftsman is rated the No. 1 brand in the nation for overall quality.

This Week’s Toyota Tid-Bit:

The all-new, 2007 Toyota Tundra was designed and engineered in the United States and is built exclusively in Toyota truck plants in Princeton, Indiana and San Antonio, Texas.

Sprague’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Stats at Nashville Superspeedway:
Jack Sprague has competed in four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Nashville Superspeedway since its debut in April of 2001.  In addition to his four starts at Nashville in the Craftsman Truck Series, Sprague has competed at the D-shaped oval in the NASCAR Busch Series.  Sprague has accumulated 6 starts, over 1,042 laps, one win, three top-five and three top-10 finishes at Nashville Superspeedway over the course of his career.  Sprague has led 36 laps at Nashville Superspeedway in a Craftsman Truck Series ride and led 158 laps while driving a NASCAR Busch Series car for legendary team owner, Rick Hendrick.  Even though Sprague has led a lot of laps at Nashville Superspeedway, he hopes to lead just one lap this weekend - the final one. 

 4 starts, 592 of 601 laps completed (98.5%), 36 laps led

Win:     0 (  0.0%)     Average start:   5.0     Total Winnings: $54,020

Top 5:   1 ( 25.0%)     Average finish: 14.5

Top 10:  1 ( 25.0%)     DNF: 0

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

Jack Sprague Sang a Song of Victory at the Music City Motorplex:
Jack Sprague is one of only a handful of current drivers who have competed at both the Nashville Superspeedway and Nashville Fairgrounds in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride.  The Nashville Fairgrounds short-track was first introduced to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 1996.  In that inaugural event, Sprague qualified on the pole and finished third while driving for Rick Hendrick.  Sprague followed that up with a win from the third position in 1997.  Overall, Sprague has one win, three top-fives, and three top-10 finishes at the .596-mile oval now dubbed the “Music City Motorplex”.

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.