Sprague hoping season woes end in Memphis (cont'd)

"We had a shot at a top-five finish until we got wrecked toward the end of the race," Sprague said afterward. "We have been strong at every race this year but a series of misfortunes have jumped up and bitten us here lately."

Now it's off to Memphis, where the three-time series champion is the only two-time winner at the .75-mile short track with five top-10s in seven races. As he sits eighth in points, 541 behind leader Skinner, experience is what Sprague is hoping will change his fortunes.

"We have always run well at Memphis," he said. "I really like the track. I have gotten a couple of poles there and have two wins, so I feel like I have a good feel for how to drive the track. My team won there last year, so I am confident going in that we have a truck capable of winning."

Not only did he win, but he dominated. Sprague started from the pole and led 133 of the races 202 laps en route to his first of two victories on the season. In fact, if Sprague gets on the pole, look out. The last six poles Sprague has won, he has finished first four times and second the other two.

Track position is key on a track like Memphis, and Sprague says for guys who aren't used to the nuances of the short track, things have way of sneaking up on you.

"I don't know that Memphis is any tougher than anywhere else," Sprague explained. "It's just Memphis is just a little different track. One and two is certainly a different corner than three and four. You have to compromise so you can get around both corners well and that's hard to do. The first time I won there was a bit of luck. The second time I won there wasn't. We had a great truck last year. But it's just a hard track to get a hold of. It eats tires, it gets slippery and you've just got to be handling well.

"I think Memphis favors drivers that have been there a few times and know what to expect. If you haven't, it will certainly surprise you because it's very difficult to get a hold of."

Sprague and the rest of the 36-truck field will be racing with heavy hearts in Memphis on Saturday as the race is in memory of the late Bobby Hamilton. The 2004 Truck Series champion passed away from cancer in January, and he will be remembered in pre-race ceremonies as well as with a decal on the "B" panel of every truck.

"Bobby was such a great guy and a true racer," Sprague said. "It would mean a lot to win on Saturday in the race that is dedicated to his memory. You knew you could count on Bobby. It's hard to believe we'll be returning to Memphis without [him] this year."