CONFIRMED: Sprague To KHI Next Season

Kevin Harvick confirmed Friday night what Sirius Speedway first reported nearly two weeks ago; that three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Jack Sprague will join Kevin Harvick, Inc., in 2008 as a teammate to former champion and current title contender Ron Hornaday, Jr.

A KHI spokesman disavowed any knowledge of the deal two weeks ago, but Harvick told a national SPEED-TV audience Friday that Sprague will leave Wyler Racing at the end of the season to form a potent, two-truck operation with Hornaday under the KHI banner. A primary sponsor has been signed, and will be announced at a later date.

“Ron Hornaday and Jack Sprague are what truck racing is all about,” said Harvick. “They are both hard-core racers. I know that they will both give everything they have until the checkered flag falls, and those are the kind of guys I want driving for me.”

The Sprague announcement caps a major week of news on the Craftsman Truck Series. On Tuesday, Wyler Racing announced plans to merge with South Point Racing to form Wyler-Gaughan Racing, fielding Toyota Tundras for driver Brendan Gaughan. Gaughan is also slated to run approximately six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the new team.

Changes are also afoot at Germain Racing, which fields Toyotas for defending series champion Todd Bodine and teammate Ted Musgrave. The team is expected to announce the signing of youngster Justin Marks to drive the #9 Toyota next season, replacing Musgrave, who sources tell Sirius Speedway will replace Sprague at the wheel of the #60 Wyler-Gaughan Racing Toyota. Musgrave is expected to take the Team ASE sponsorship along with him.

Musgrave is playing coy about his plans for next year, saying only, "it's going to be a throwback to a couple of years ago. I'm kind of getting some of the band back together (to) have fun."

David Starr's status with Circle Bar Racing is still uncertain, amid reports that the Texas native may return to Red Horse Racing next season to drive a new NASCAR Toyota Camry on the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Joey Clanton will reportedly not return to Wood Bros/JTG Racing next season, and may jump to Roush Fenway Racing. An announcement is expected within the next two weeks. And finally, Bill Davis Racing has announced the signing of Phillip McGilton to race as a teammate to Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson in 2008. The 29-year-old McGilton has run the full ARCA schedule this season, and will make his truck debut in BRD's #22 Toyota at Homestead-Miami Speedway next month.