Engine Failure Blows Sprague’s Bid for the Win in St. Louis

Madison, Ill. (September 4, 2007) - Jack Sprague and the Wyler Racing team returned to Gateway International Raceway, looking to build upon their fourth place finish at the 1.25-mile oval last year.  They had their sights set on a strong top-five run after unloading fast, but a rare engine failure in their No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota kept them from contention in the Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 on Saturday afternoon.

“We had a strong run going in our Con-way Freight Toyota,” said Sprague as he climbed from the truck.  “It’s disappointing to be running so strong and have an engine let go.  We’re not sure what happened, but we must have broken something in the bottom end.  It didn’t give us any warning, it just locked up.”

Sprague locked up second position in final practice but would start in 15th position after an unwanted early draw in qualifying.  Sprague ran a fast lap of 34.315 seconds at a speed of 131.138 miles per hour in qualifying, lining up inside of row eight for the 160-lap race. 

Sprague proved to have a fast truck at the drop of the green flag, picking up six spots before the event’s first caution fell for a wreck in turn three.  “We’re a little free off,” said Sprague to Crew Chief, Tony Furr.  “I need to roll a little better in the center.” 

When the green flag flew for the restart on lap 20, Sprague’s lap times were as good as the leaders and he picked off another two trucks to move into seventh position on lap 22.  Sprague continued to run in seventh until the motor locked up without warning on lap 40, resulting in a disappointing early end to their day.

“It’s disappointing to lose a motor, especially when you’re running as strong as we were in our Con-way Freight Toyota,” said Sprague.  “We were really hoping to come out of here with a top-five or even the win, but it wasn’t in the cards for us today.  It’s surprising to have an engine failure because Toyota gives us the greatest engines out there. We’ve had great horsepower all year long.”

Sprague coasted into the garage area and was credited with a 32nd place finish.

“We were strong all weekend, and that’s a testament to this team and all the support that we receive from Toyota,” said Sprague.  “We’ve just had some tough luck this year and it continued this weekend.  Hopefully, as we enter the final eight races of the year, we can have a little luck on our side and we can get top-five finishes and contend for wins like this team deserves.”

Sprague and the Wyler Racing team will take the weekend off before taking the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra to New Hampshire International Speedway on Saturday, September 15th, 2007 for the running of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series New Hampshire 200.  Live television coverage will be provided by the SPEED Channel at 2:30 p.m. ET with radio coverage coming to you live from MRN Radio.