Sprague Records Third Top-Five of the Season at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 8, 2008) --- Jack Sprague and the No. 2 RoadLoans.com Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet team recorded their third top-five finish of 2008; scoring a fourth-place finish in the Sam’s Town 400 Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. KHI teammate Ron Hornaday led 140 laps and took the victory, his second of 2008. Sprague led the race three times for a total of 20 laps.  His run moves him up one position in the point standings and he is now tied with Rick Crawford for the fifth position 71 points behind first place.

“During the second-to-last run, we were the only truck that had anything for Hornaday,” Sprague said. “(Crew Chief) Ernie (Cope) and guys did a great job. We were the two most dominant trucks. The RoadLoans.com Chevrolet was awesome. The last set of tires we put on for some reason made me really loose going into the corner.  It really is a bummer because I thought we had a great shot at this one. But we’re getting close and it is not going to take us long to get a win.  Congratulations to Ron and the entire No. 33 team.  These guys at KHI build us great trucks and it shows.”

Starting from the eighth position, Sprague quickly moved his way to the second position by lap 31.  The team came to pit road on lap 34 for their first scheduled pit stop. A solid 15-second pit stop helped Sprague maintain his position returning him to competition in the second position.

By lap 47, Sprague took the No. 2 RoadLoans.com Chevrolet into the lead. Sprague led a total of seven laps during the second green-flag run. The No. 2 RoadLoans.com team brought the truck down pit road for their second scheduled stop during a caution period on lap 62.  The No. 2 team again changed four tires, fuel and made a minor air pressure adjustment.   

During the third pit stop of the day on lap 90, Sprague came down pit road as the leader for a fuel-only stop.  This proved to be the right call as the field followed Sprague to the pit lane.  Sprague resumed the lead and led the pack for another lap before being passed by teammate Hornaday. Having fun with his old rival, Sprague battled back, leading for the third time for another 11 laps.

Caution at lap 112 came at the perfect time for the No. 2 RoadLoans.com Chevrolet team.  Just inside their fuel window the team pitted for four tires and fuel. Sufficient on fuel and tires for the rest of the race, the team resumed the race in the second position.  However, an ill-handling set of tires would limit Sprague’s forward progress. 

As the laps wound down, short runs were not what Sprague’s truck needed.  A string of three caution flags late in the race ate up the remaining laps. Sprague’s truck became increasingly loose and he was unable to get the truck to handle in traffic. Sprague crossed the finish line in the fourth position, his third top-five finish of 2008.

STATS RECAP

Race Info

June 6, 2008

Texas Motor Speedway

Race: 9 of 25

Driver: Jack Sprague

Started:  8th

Finished: 4th

Truck Series Point Standings: 5th (+1)

Next on the Schedule for the No. 2:

Date: June 14, 2008

Track: Michigan International Speedway

Event Name: Cool City Customs 200

Driver: Jack Sprague

Broadcast Time: 3:00 p.m., EST on SPEED. Live on MRN at 3:00 p.m., EST.