So, for my second interview I had the privilege of interviewing Justin Lofton who spoke about his past, where he is at in the present, and his goals for down the road, and of course just some fun things to get an idea of the things that he enjoys.
Justin grew up watching his dad, uncle, and grandfather race so he knew early on that racing was going to be in his future. He started out racing off road cars and then when he was a little older he decided that he wanted to drive something else, something different
He was inspired by several drivers among them Robby Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Michael Schumacher, he states “These are all great drivers but I get to go racing with mine every weekend”.
Justin’s big break came in 2008 while he was driving in the ARCA series that’s where he was approached by Red Horse Racing about driving a truck for them. He didn’t start racing with them until 2010 but he states “That started the whole process”. His advice to others “Don’t rush yourself and win races”. It is such a simple statement ,but very true. So aspiring drivers take note of Justin’s advice.
I wanted to delve a little further into his driving, when asked if any tracks scare him, he replied “I can’t say any scare me. I love going and attacking tracks”. Justin also says that he does have one pre-race ritual “Mainly just putting my left glove on before the right. I try not to get a solid routine down because of distractions and obligations during race weekends”. I think it brought him luck for not being hurt any worse than just a broken thumb in the crash at Talladega. That’s just my opinion, something or someone looked after him in that nasty crash, it could have been so much worse. Sponsorship and himself he sees as his biggest competition right now . “I always go out and give %110 so the only pressure I have is to run well and put myself in a position teams will want to pick me up for a full-time ride” Justin says. The next step in his career is a full time ride in cup, that is what he hopes for in 2014 that is what he is focusing on for his career.
When asked about his dream team if he could pick one his comment was “I would like to work with/around Chad Knaus.” which I can’t say as I blame him as half the teams would like that too. I thought I would sneak in a few fun questions as well, see a little more of his lighter side so to speak. I asked him about his off time and his answer came a little bit as a surprise,” I have a vinyl graphics company J6ink and video production company Weekend Warriors Productions so I stay very busy keeping up with them when I’m not racing.” Which I never knew about. Out of curiosity I asked Justin if you could race in any era which one would you pick? He surprised me there too, I expected maybe early 90’s but his reply was “Probably mid 60’s formula 1 tracks were amazing, and drivers were huge stars then and the whole Country was behind their drivers.”
Justin talked about what he does during off season “I spend the two months off in California at my parents catching up with family, spend a week in Las Vegas for the National Finals rodeo and final off road race of the year. Then start preparing for my Charity Golf Tournament and 11th and get to spend a couple days in the sand dunes with my friends.” so I put some general questions in there some things that I guess are everyday things for us but for some reason I see drivers and different, elite in a way. Justin states his favorite food is fairly simple a New York Steak and white rice. He doesn’t really have a favorite movie as there are many great ones out there. When he was asked about his favorite type of music he listens to he answered “I go thru phases of country, big hair bands, and punk rock. As I do this, I’m listening to The Offspring”. His favorite time of year is Halloween and fall, one of his favorite ways to spend a evening is going to haunted attractions.
Winding down I asked him simply where do you see yourself in 10 years? ” A full time Cup driver” was his response and after talking to him and watching him on the track, I think he will be there too. I want to thank Justin again for taking time for the interview. I am glad I got to know a little more about him, I hope you are too.
I would like to send a huge thanks to Justin Lofton for being so kind and patient with me. Stay tuned because I have interviews with drivers John Wes Townley and Jeb Burton coming up next!
I want you all to know I do so appreciate the time it takes to read these articles, they are harder to write than I expected!
