NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES EAST
TOUGH DEBUT

DRIVER AND TEAM LEARN MUCH IN GREENVILLE-PICKENS OPENER

GREENVILLE, N.C. (April 24, 2008) – Eddie Sharp Racing's Craig Goess made his NASCAR Camping World Series debut last weekend at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. The No. 2 Greenville-Toyota Toyota was strong in practice, running seventh on the speed charts. Green flag repairs caused the No. 2 to fall laps behind the leader and take the checkered flag in the 28th position. His recorded finishing position is 27th due to the NCWSE adjustment of the order due to the enforced post-race penalties.

"Today was very interesting," Goess stated. "I feel like I have learned a lot in only one day – about NASCAR, about the handling in these stock cars, and the setups. We are a rookie team and will continue to learn and grow. But the car was definitely fast. Despite having already lost five laps, we were running with the leaders and keeping pace. I am confident that we will adapt quickly and be contending for the checkered flag."

Rain delayed and then shortened practice for Friday's American Revolution 150 Presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet. A break in the weather allowed for teams to get about 50 minutes on track. The No. 2 Greenville-Toyota Toyota was a little tight in the middle of the turns but otherwise unloaded strong. Goess ran 60-70 consistent laps during practice. His 21.345 second fast lap put the No. 2 seventh on the practice pylon.

Goess and his No. 2 Greenville-Toyota team backed up their practice times in qualifying with a 21.329 lap. Unfortunately, other teams picked up 0.4 to 0.7 seconds in qualifying. Goess, the final car to qualify into the race on time, qualified in the 26th position.

When the green flag dropped for the American Revolution 150 Presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet, the No. 2 Greenville-Toyota Toyota was strong. Early in the event, Goess found himself between the wall and another competitor with nowhere to go as the inside car moved up on the track. Pinned against the outside wall, Goess went a lap down as the field passed the No. 2 under caution. Goess brought the No. 2 down pit road so the team could work to repair the damage. Despite gallant efforts by the crew to repair the caved-in nose, duct work and fender damage, the No. 2 fell further behind the leader.

Car No.2 Craig Goess

When Goess returned to the track, the team decided to utilize the race laps to test various adjustments to the car. Throughout the remaining laps, Goess was running laps equivalent to the leaders. At one point, Goess pulled behind the leaders and kept pace with them for 35 laps, pulling away from the rest of the field.

After completing 141 laps, contact from behind put the No. 2 into the inside wall on the backstretch of Greenville-Pickens Speedway. With front suspension damage, the No. 2 Greenville-Toyota Toyota was done for the day.

"Today was a great learning day for us," said Goess. "I'm a rookie in these stock cars, the team is new to the series, and we are all learning at each step. I want to thank the guys for all their hard work, today and in the past month. I am really excited to get this season going. We have to wait another four weeks until Iowa. It's hard as a driver to have to go home now and wait – Greenville was such a teaser! I look forward to getting back to the track with my Greenville Toyota team; we're going to have a great year."

Eddie Sharp Racing's Craig Goess ended the practice session in the 7th position with a fast lap of 21.345 seconds (84.329 mph), a mere 0.162 seconds off practice leader Brian Ickler. Stay tuned!

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES EAST
GOESS DEBUTS IN NCWS-E AT GREENVILLE-PICKENS SPEEDWAY