Jack Is Back! Sprague Returns To Trucks In 2012

Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that a shakeup in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garage will bring three-time series champion Jack Sprague back to the sport next season.

Randy Moss Motorsports principal Randy Moss will reportedly assume full control of the team from partner David Dollar, in an effort to resuscitate the struggling operation. RMM effectively closed its doors earlier this season as part of a self-described “merger” with Germain Racing. The team’s #5 Toyota has been fielded out of the Germain shops since mid-July, with Germain driver Todd Bodine at the wheel.

Multiple sources confirm that the former Minnesota Viking, New England Patriot, Tennessee Titan and Oakland Raider wide receiver will restructure the team that bears his name, clearing the operation’s back debts in exchange for full financial and competitive control. Dollar reportedly packed up his personal belongings and trophies earlier this month and moved back to his home state of Oklahoma.
Moss is believed to have financial backing from a yet-unnamed West Virginia coal mining magnate, and plans to field two Trucks in 2012 with Chris Showalter as crew chief.

Showalter worked as Travis Kvapil’s crew chief at RMM earlier this season, and won the Truck Series title with him in 2003. He is the only individual to take part in every race ever run on the Camping World Truck Series.

Sprague has been absent from the NASCAR garage since 2008, when he finished ninth in Truck Series championship points driving for Kevin Harvick, Inc. and Wyler Racing. His last win came in the 2007 Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona International Speedway. He amassed 28 career Truck Series wins in 297 starts, along with the 1997, 1999 and 2001 series titles.

He will reportedly run the 2011 season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway for Winfield Motorsports, reuniting with former crew chief Dennis Conner. Sprague and Conner teamed to win 24 Truck Series races and three championships.

While not yet finalized, multiple sources say the Randy Moss Motorsports deal will be announced within the next 30 days. RMM General Manager Tony Budka insisted late Friday that the team "has had no conversations with Jack Sprague about racing for us." A spokesperson for Moss declined to comment today, saying the former NFL star is “a week or two away” from an announcement. Sprague also declined to comment, saying, "You know as much about this deal as I do."