Jack Sprague – No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra Mountain Dew 250 Race Preview

Jack Sprague on Racing at Talladega Superspeedway:
“Talladega is like Daytona – it’s a survival deal.  Daytona was our best race so far this season, so I'm really looking forward to going to Talladega to see if we can duplicate that success.  I'm confident in the truck that we've got because it's the same truck that won at Daytona in February and we've worked on it to make it even better.  Talladega will be a wild ride, there’s no doubt about it.  We just need to make sure we’re patient and stay out of trouble, which is never easy when restrictor plates are involved."

Jack Sprague on Tackling Talladega Again:
“Racing at Talladega is great for the sport, it’s great for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), and it’s great for the race fans.  The Truck Series puts on some of the best racing in all of NASCAR, and that’s no exception at Talladega.”

Jack Sprague on Last Year’s Talladega Race:
In last year’s inaugural NCTS event at Talladega Superspeedway, the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota was one of the quickest trucks on the track.  Sprague started seventh and by lap six had drafted his way into second-place behind fellow Toyota teammate and drafting partner Johnny Benson.  The two Toyota’s led the field until lap 38 when problems struck and Sprague’s Toyota slowed suddenly on the track.  As he was making his way to pit road, Sprague reported that his motor had blown. Sprague brought the truck to his team’s attention, where they determined that a broken valve spring was the culprit, resulting in a disappointing end to their day and a 33rd place finish.

Wyler Racing Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) and as a tribute to those affected by the disease, Wyler Racing’s No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota will carry the symbolic pink ribbon during all three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events during the month of October.  In addition, the entire team will wear a small pink ribbon on their uniform and a pink bracelet with the word “Hope” to pay tribute to those who have been impacted by the disease.  Wyler Racing hopes to help raise awareness about breast cancer and the need for continual screening by promoting NBCAM at Talladega Superspeedway (October 6th), Martinsville Speedway (October 20th) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (October 27th). 

Toyota Teamwork Shines at Superspeedways:
It’s been proven that two or more trucks can race faster when lined up front-to-rear than one truck can race alone, making teamwork essential – especially at NASCAR’s larger tracks like Daytona and Talladega.  Jack Sprague and Johnny Benson, both driving for Toyota, proved the importance of teamwork earlier this year at Daytona when Benson gave Sprague a race-winning shove that slingshotted him past Travis Kvapil for the three-wide win in one of the most thrilling finishes in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history.  Sprague’s win was the second closest margin of victory in Daytona history and the eighth closest finish in the Series’ record books.  Sprague’s victory was the first win for Toyota at the historic high-banked oval.

This Week’s Toyota Tid-Bit:

Toyota Tundra and Camry race engines are designed and built by TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa, California and High Point, North Carolina.

Sprague’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Stats at Talladega Superspeedway:
Jack Sprague is one of only a handful of drivers who have more than one race under their belt at Talladega Superspeedway.  Outside of Sprague’s debut at the 2.66-mile oval in the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race last year, Sprague has three NASCAR Busch Series starts and one NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start at Talladega to his credit.  Sprague’s best qualifying effort (6th) and best finish (13th) at Talladega in a Busch Series car came in 2002 while he was driving for legendary car owner, Rick Hendrick.  Sprague’s lone Nextel Cup start produced a 34th place finish.

 1 start, 40 of 94 laps completed (42.6%), 0 laps led

Win:     0 (  0.0%)     Average start:   7.0     Total Winnings: $11,840

Top 5:   0 (  0.0%)     Average finish: 33.0

Top 10:  0 (  0.0%)     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.