Transmission Trouble Breaks Sprague's Bid for Win

Hampton, Ga. (March 19, 2007) – Jack Sprague and the Wyler Racing team have been on a roll lately, after capturing the win at Daytona International Speedway and finishing 3rd at California Speedway the following week. Considered a favorite to win Friday night’s American Commercial Lines 200 and entering the weekend tied for first in points, Sprague and the Wyler Racing team were excited about their chances to win at Atlanta Motor Speedway after qualifying 2nd and running near the front for most of the race. But a late-race transmission issue in the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota cost Sprague his chance for the win with less than 33 laps to go in the 130 lap show.

Mother Nature washed out most of the day’s activities on Friday, allowing for only one rain-shortened practice session before the race. Sprague and the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota made just two laps in that session before being caught up in an on-track incident which caused damage to the left-front of the No. 60 Toyota. The Con-way Freight Crew rallied together and made the necessary repairs before returning their driver to the track. Despite having their practice session cut short due to damage repair, Sprague closed out the session 9th on the board with a lap of 31.029 seconds at a speed of 178.672 miles per hour.

Sprague and the team rebounded from the damage and stepped it up in qualifying, laying down a lap of 30.621 seconds at a speed of 181.052 miles per hour which was good for the outside pole position for the American Commercial Lines 200 and his second-best starting spot of the year.

When the green flag dropped for the start of the American Commercial Lines 200, Sprague’s Toyota was “tight off and snapping loose.” Despite an ill-handling truck, Sprague remained in the top-5 until NASCAR displayed the yellow flag for a “Competition Caution” on lap 27. Crew Chief Tony Furr brought the Con-way Freight Toyota down pit road for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. After a great stop, the Con-way Freight Crew returned Sprague to the track in 2nd position.

When the race returned to green flag competition, Sprague keyed the radio to tell Furr that his Con-way Freight Toyota was “better” but he slid to 4th position by lap 43. “It’s horribly loose in one and two,” Sprague said after the events next caution fell. Furr called his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure and chassis adjustment. The Con-way Freight Crew had a stellar stop and picked up two spots in the pits, returning their driver to the track in 2nd position.

Sprague remained in the top-three until lap 81 when his Con-way Freight Toyota became “tight” and was “snapping loose”. When a caution was displayed just ten laps later, Sprague was 7th on the scoring sheets, and Furr brought the No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota to the track for what they had hoped to be the final stop of the night. Furr called for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure and track bar adjustment. The Crew again stepped up to the call of duty and picked up three spots in the pits, returning their driver to the track in 4th position. They would have assumed the lead, but three trucks elected to stay out for track position.

On the restart at lap 97, Sprague’s transmission hung in third gear forcing him to pit for repairs under green. Without third gear, Sprague returned to the track two laps down in 25th position. The Con-way Freight Crew never gave up and with 11 laps to go they were credited with the “Lucky Dog” award and were allowed to pass the pace truck and pick up one of their lost laps. They remained vigilant and moved in to 23rd position before the drop of the checkered flag. “You guys did a great job in the pits,” said Sprague after crossing the start/finish line in his 250th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. “I appreciate that.”

Sprague slid from first to forth in the Championship Point Standings but sits only two points out of third place. Sprague is credited with 449 points, 101 points behind point’s leader, Mike Skinner.

Sprague and the Wyler Racing team will return to action at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, March 31st for the Kroger 250. Live television coverage will be provided by SPEED Channel at 3 p.m. ET with radio coverage broadcast live on MRN.