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[/media-credit]HUNTERSVILLE, NC — This week Justin Lofton returns to the site of one of the most memorable moments of his racing career – Rockingham Speedway, as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) ushers in NASCAR’s return to the historic track. Etched with history, the 47-year-old track is special to the 26-year-old
Lofton after he celebrated the ARCA Racing Series championship at “The Rock” in 2009.
“Rockingham is such a special place to me. The history it holds within our sport means a lot, but the fact that I ended the 2009season celebrating my first stock car championship there, makes it even more special,” Lofton said. “It is a fun track. You’re on the edge every lap. It is a great place to watch a race, but even more special to race. It’s what racing is about. I can’t say enough about how excited I am that The Rock is back on the schedule.”
Just like in 2009, Lofton will be piloting a No. 6 entry for Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) as he wheels the No. 6 College Complete (http://www.collegecomplete.com, 877-543-2655) Chevrolet within the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). The event, the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 Presented by Cheerwine, marks first NASCAR race at the 1.017-mile track since 2004.
Though this week will be his first in a truck at the track, Lofton has raced at “The Rock” three times within ARCA competition. He has started each event out strong, showing starting positions of third, fifth, and second. The most important run at the eastern North Carolina track in October of 2009 provided the most challenges.
Entering the race Lofton had a small 15-point lead over Parker Kligerman in the championship standings. After qualifying second, Lofton’s crew swapped out engines, dropping him to the rear of the 41-car field. He maneuvered his way through the field making moves he may have second guessed had the championship not been on the line. When it was all said and done, Kligerman took the checkered flag, but Lofton took the championship trophy courtesy of a third place finish. He wrapped up the championship with a narrow five-point margin over Kligerman. He ended the year with six race wins, 15 top-fives, and 19 top-10s spanning 21 races.
After the first two races of the 2012 NCWTS schedule, Lofton is in a familiar position near the top of the point standings. He has finished third and fourth in the first two events at Daytona and Martinsville in the No. 6 College Complete (http://www.collegecomplete.com, 877-543-2655) Chevrolet, leaving him tied for second entering the Rockingham race.This week, he will be racing chassis 049 for the first time. ESR acquired the truck from Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI). It was last raced at Michigan International Speedway last summer and tallied a 16th place finish.
“We’ve had a great season so far. I can’t say enough about my crew chief Dan Bormann and all of the guys on the No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet,” Lofton added. “To go from no top-fives last year, to two in our first two races – this is where we should be running. I’m anxious to get to Rockingham and keep going.”
The Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 Presented by Cheerwine is set for Sunday, April 15th at 1 PM eastern. Fans attending the Rockingham race weekend can stop by ThunderFest in downtown Rockingham on Friday, April 13th from 7 to 8 PM to meet Lofton, the 2009 ARCA champ and current NCWTS contender.
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About Eddie Sharp Racing: Eddie Sharp Racing (TeamESR.com) is a 40,000 square foot championship winning race team based in Denver, NC. After just four short years of competition within the ARCA Racing Series, the team impressively accumulated upwards of 20 race wins. 2009 was a pivotal year for ESR, as they dominated the series with six race wins, 15 top-fives and 19 top-10s en route to the series championship with driver Justin Lofton. In 2010, ESR made the transition to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In 2011, owner Sharp and Lofton were reunited within truck competition. In 2012, ESR will expand to three teams, with Lofton set to return to the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet Silverado, Cale Gale set to join the team behind the wheel of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado, and Mike Skinner in the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado.
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