KEN BUTLER III LEAVES SALEM 10TH IN POINTS

Ken Butler III

Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine 20th in Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200

SALEM, Ind. (April 13, 2008) – Ken Butler, III and his Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine team knew they had a car that could win this weekend at Salem Speedway. Contact in a multi-car accident on lap 29 put the No. 22 over 40 laps down as the team worked to put Butler back on track. Returning to the race, KBIII remained a fast car and finished in the 20th position. Though disappointed with the race results, Butler III was pleased with his climb to 10th in ARCA RE/MAX Series championship points.

"This was probably the most disappointing race in a long time," said a very frustrated Butler after the race. "I had a car to win, by far. I had to back up the throttle just so I wouldn't hit anybody."

The No. 22 was extremely fast and well-behaved on old tires, a great combination for the high-banked short track. KBIII and his team hung around the top of the speed charts during Saturday's practice session. With high hopes for a great qualifying run, there was disappointment in the 22 camp following the time trials.

"We have set the bar high for our team this year," commented Butler. "So a 15th place starting position is a big disappointment. We have great equipment and there is no reason to not be up front every week. The car was wicked loose for qualifying. I'm just glad it didn't get away from me. But I hate that I couldn't do better for my guys."

The Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine showed its promise jumping quickly into the top-10 when the green flag dropped following the three hour rain delay. The No. 22 was pushing into the top-5 when melee erupted out of Turn-2 on lap 29. Butler visited pit road multiple times after the red flag was lifted. The first trip through, the over-the-wall crew put four fresh tires on the car and worked to bend back the damaged front right fender.

"When I was passing the 2, it looked like the field checked up in front of me," said Butler as he recalled the lap 29 incident. "I couldn't get back down and I hit the, well I don't know who it was to be honest. But it punctured a hole in my radiator."

When the damage to the radiator was discovered, Crew Chief Wayne Carroll brought the car behind the wall so the team could go to work. It took 43 laps, but the No. 22 team worked quickly to install a new radiator, cut the right front fender off, cut out duct work, and top the machine off with fuel.

When Butler returned to the track, he remained competitive and fast. Turning laps and running side by side with the lead-lap cars.

"We went 40 or so laps down [when the team replaced the radiator]. But after that we were still fast; we were a rocket!" stated KBIII. "It's just tough because once you're that many laps down you can't do anything but just make laps. And when you're that good, it was tough."

"On a good note," added Butler, "we know we have a good car. We'll get it fixed and bring it back here in the fall. Knowing we had the car to beat. I know we didn't show it on the race track, but we really did have the car to beat. We'll come back with confidence."

JUSTIN LOFTON MAKES SOLID ARCA DEBUT AT SALEM

Justin Lofton

Contact and green flag pit stops bring 19th place finish

SALEM, Ind. (April 13, 2008) – Eddie Sharp Racing's Justin Lofton made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut in the No. 93 Lofton Cattle Dodge this weekend at the Salem Speedway. The No. 93 laid a strong 17.238 second qualifying lap and started in the eighth position for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts. Lofton dominated over half of the 200-lap event in the top-10. Late race damage and green flag repairs caused the No. 93 to fall 12 laps behind the leader and take the checkered flag in the 19th position.

"It was great fun out there today," stated Lofton as the team loaded the hauler. "I had a great car at the beginning and it was really unfortunate that we got caught up with the [No.] 1 car. That hurt us. We were still good; still in the top-10. And I don't know what lap it was but we got the door slammed up in turn four and got a right front flat. Things just went backward from there."

As rained moved in on Sunday, conditions did not look good for the scheduled race. However, late in the afternoon, the radar showed a break in the showers and the ARCA RE/MAX Series teams quickly scrambled into gear with the race going green shortly after 5:00 p.m. With freezing temperatures and a three hour delay to the start of the race, Lofton took the green flag and kicked off his ARCA RE/MAX career.

During the caution on lap 73, Lofton brought the No. 93 Lofton Cattle Dodge down pit road for tires, fuel and to remove some of the brake tape. Lofton returned to the track in the ninth position. Another caution quickly followed.

During this caution, Crew Chief Randy Nelson radioed to Lofton that the car in front of him was asking for a little patience. Lofton replied, "10-4. It's just hard when I'm not getting any from behind either."

While running in the top-5, Lofton found himself between the wall and another car. The contact with the outside wall damaged the right front tire. With a right front flat, the No. 93 limped back to pit road under the green flag. A frustrated Lofton returned to the race in the 15th position but was cited for speeding down pit road. The penalty cost additional laps to be lost and the No. 93 Lofton Cattle team continued in the 19th position.

The team and driver remained determined and steadfast, finishing the race 19th place overall.

"It was a good time overall," said Lofton with a smile. "The overall finish of the car is not indicative of how good it was. It was a great car! Everyone worked really hard and I am so proud of my guys. I was glad I got to do it and that Eddie had the confidence in me to put me in a car. I'm looking forward to heading to Iowa next weekend and getting them a finish they deserve!"

Next Stop: ESR travels to Newton, Iowa this weekend to race Saturday, April 19th in the Prairie Meadows 250. The race goes green at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. For ticket information, please call 1-866-RUSTY-GO.

BUTLER BACK AT SALEM, CONFIDENT & READY TO RUN

Ken Butler III

SALEM, Ind. (April 10, 2008) -- Following the nine-week ARCA RE/MAX Series hiatus, Ken Butler, III returns to Salem Speedway this weekend ready to better last fall's eleventh-place finish at the 0.555 paved oval. KBIII is back in the seat of the No. 22 Aaron's Dream Machine and anxious to get this show back on the road.

"I'm really excited that Salem is finally here," stated Butler. "This huge break between races is rough. We've been fortunate that Eddie put us in a lot of testing opportunities, but the weather didn't really cooperate with us."

The weather that KBIII is referring to is the torrential rain that cancelled a Hoosier Tire test session in Kentucky last month as well as limited the team to only 20 or so laps at Salem that same weekend. Continuing the wet trend across the country, the No. 22 ESR team recently lost a day at Iowa Speedway and missed the ARCA RE/MAX Series open test at Kansas.

"It's been frustrating for everyone, but the guys have been working hard in between all the tests and I really appreciate it," added KBIII. "I'm anxious to get this 22 back in a race and up front to thank them."

Whereas this is the 83rd visit to Salem Speedway for the ARCA RE/MAX Series, this weekend will be Butler's third race on the old-school short track. One year ago, as a rookie and part-time pilot of the No. 22 Eddie Sharp Racing entry, Butler qualified well in the top-20, however, mechanical issues shortened the team's afternoon. After only 74 laps, the No. 22 retired for the day in the 33rd position. When KBIII and his team returned in September 2007, the results were much more gratifying and indicative of the strength of the 22 team. Butler started the No. 22 in the thirteenth position and after a well-fought effort all night, took the checkered flag in the eleventh place.

"Building off the experience from last year and the few laps that we were able to log at Salem a few weeks ago, I am confident we can run the No. 22 Toyota right up to the front this weekend," Butler stated solidly. "At any short track, you need to play it smart, keep the fenders on, and dig deep for patience. We're planning to do just that and make our move at the end."

LOFTON READY FOR SHORT TRACK EXCITEMENT AND ARCA DEBUT AT SALEM

SALEM, Ind. (April 10, 2008) – Although Eddie Sharp Racing's Justin Lofton is arriving fashionably late to the party, you had better bet that he plans on making a grand entrance in the No. 93 Lofton Cattle Dodge. This weekend's race at the Salem Speedway marks the Westmorland, California-native's ARCA RE/MAX Series debut.

Justin Lofton

"I'm excited to be driving this year at Eddie Sharp Racing," said Lofton. "I'm really looking forward to getting back on track this weekend. I've been getting pretty antsy here. There's nothing worse than having to sit and wait for the season to get started."

The Lofton Cattle team has been working day and night to get ready for the full season with Lofton. Recently testing at Rockingham and Iowa, the team has also endured soggy sessions at Salem and Kansas speedways. Despite what has seemed like constant precipitation while on the road, the team has turned some very impressive laps.

"The team has really come together over the last month," commented Lofton. "After our test in Iowa and a lot of bonding time during the rainouts, we have gelled well; really clicked. The chemistry is definitely an affirmation to the decision to sign for the entire year and I can't wait to see what we can do together."

A veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Series West, Lofton is no stranger to short track racing. Lofton understands well the philosophy that a team must first finish to finish first.

"With my West experience I know that patience will be the top priority this weekend," stated Lofton. "We're planning to be smart and stay out of trouble until about 20 to go. Then we'll pick up the pace and drive to the front, although hopefully we'll already be there," Lofton added with a grin.

For the next three races, Lofton will be behind the wheel of the No. 93 Lofton Cattle entry. Due to ARCA RE/MAX Series rules, an owner cannot purchase a car number and immediately transfer points to a previously owned car number. As a result, Lofton will wheel the No. 93 at the Salem, Iowa, and Kansas speedways. Following the Kansas race, the points from the No. 93 will transfer to the No. 20 entry. The No. 20 Lofton Cattle Dodge will take to the track for the Carolina 500k at Rockingham Speedway.