Jack Sprague – No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra Smith’s Las Vegas 350 Race Preview

Jack Sprague on Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
“I have always loved racing at Las Vegas since the first time the trucks unloaded there in 1996.  I was a little disappointed that they added banking to the track last year.  I was pretty partial to the track the way that it was.  It was a great flat track that was wide and fast with plenty of room to pass.  But even though they changed the configuration, the track is still really fast and produces some great racing for the fans.”

Jack Sprague Has History in “Sin City”:
Jack Sprague holds the majority of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) records at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS).  Sprague is LVMS’ only two-time winner.  In his nine previous starts at the 1.5-mile oval, Sprague has three poles and three runner-up finishes.  He has only qualified outside of the top-9 once.  Sprague has led the most NCTS laps (298) and miles (447) at the intermediate track and has also led the most races (five), won the most money ($344,580) and completed the most laps/miles (1281/1921.5) in Las Vegas since the Series’ made its debut there in 1996.

The Return of Lady Luck in Las Vegas:
It’s no secret that Jack Sprague has had a lot of luck in Las Vegas since winning the NCTS’ inaugural race there in 1996.  And it’s no secret that the Wyler Racing team has had some tough luck this year.  “The No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota is a team that can be up front every week, and we should be running in the top-10 every week.  We’ve just had some bad luck this year with things that are out of our control like blowing tires or getting wrecked.  Our goal is to stay in the top-10 in points and to do that, we’re going to have to have some luck and some solid finishes. I would like to get momentum going our way with a strong run at Las Vegas.”

Jack Sprague on Last Year’s Las Vegas Race:
“We had a great truck last year but got spun out while fighting for sixth position late in the race.  That set us back some, but we still came out of there with a decent finish (13th).  We will head back this year and see if we can't recapture the Las Vegas luck of the past. I have been fortunate to set some records at the track.  I have clinched a championship there and lost one there as well.  I think every driver has tracks that have been special in their career and Las Vegas is one of those tracks for me.”

This Week’s Toyota Tid-Bit:

Toyota is a global company celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States in 2007.

Sprague’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Stats at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
“Lady Luck” seems to like Jack Sprague when it comes to racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  She’s been by his side at almost every event at the 1.5-mile oval.  In nine starts in “Sin City”, Sprague has captured three pole positions, two wins, and three second-place finishes.  He has finished in the top-five a total of seven times and he may have clinched top-five finishes in his two other starts if not for a blown engine in 2004 or being spun out late in the race last year.  Sprague has led an impressive 298 laps at LVMS, dominating the inaugural event in 1996 and leading over 71% of the laps in 2001.

 9 starts, 1281 of 1422 laps completed (90.1%), 298 laps led

Win:     2 ( 22.2%)     Average start:   5.9     Total Winnings: $344,580

Top 5:   7 ( 77.8%)     Average finish:  7.3

Top 10:  7 ( 77.8%)     DNF: 1

(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.