Scott Speed

Speed Charges Hard in Final Laps at Pocono; Finishes Second
Moves to third in series points

Pocono, Pa. (June 7, 2008) - Scott Speed and the Red Bull team always bring their "A" game to the track and this weekend was no different. Speed and his Eddie Sharp Racing crew earned nearly every accolade at Pocono Speedway. Speed sat at the top of the practice speed chart, earned the SIM Factory Pole Award by blowing the competition away with a 53.862 second qualifying lap, the Aaron's Lap Leader of the Race for leading the most laps and charged from 25th to a second place finish in the final laps of the Pocono 200. Oh, yes, and in between all of that, Speed jetted to Texas Motor Speedway and back to run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race. Just another weekend in the life of one of stock car racing's rising stars.

Speed started the day from the pole position at Pocono Speedway and quickly pulled out to a dominating lead. During the first caution on lap three, Speed reports to the team that the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota is "just a little bit free. It's not that bad and I'm not complaining; it's just a handful right now." The next caution emerged on lap nine and Speed radioed that the car is "no so much loose, just a lack of overall grip on all four corners."

Speed led the first 12 laps before the No. 16 of Justin Allgaier caught the Red Bull Toyota and took over the lead position. Speed settled into second place and focused on adjusting his line to catch the No. 16 that was pulling away.

On lap 29, Speed and the race leaders came to pit road under the caution for scheduled stops. The Red Bull crew put four fresh tires on the Camry and made adjustments to give the driver the grip he was looking for. Upon examination, the right rear tire had a gash in it and had already lost many pounds of air. The caution and pit stop could not have happened at a better time.

Speed restarted the race and gained the lead in the first lap. The caution came out again immediately on lap 33. During the seven caution laps, Speed and Crew Chief Patrick Donahue exchanged comical quips. Donahue reminded Speed to conserve his fuel, to which Speed replied, "No problem! I'm a saving fuel kinda guy!" As Speed cruised down the frontstretch on the next lap, Donahue radioed, "Hey Scott! See my umbrella?" Speed laughed and replied, "Awwww, isn't that nice?! You and the missus up there."

The race restarted on lap 40 with Speed out front. On lap 48, the drama began for the No. 2 team.

Speed radioed that he felt something suddenly break in the front of the car. Spotter Slugger Labbe confirmed that the left front tire was flat. Speed was able to immediately steer the car to pit road under the green flag. The Red Bull crew quickly put on four tires and added fuel to the Toyota and Speed rejoined the field.

Speed radioed, "I don't know what happened. I didn't touch the curb at all."

Donahue reassured his driver, "it wasn't you, Scott."

While in the pit, the caution flag was thrown for an incident on the track, aiding Speed and the Red Bull team in remaining on the lead lap despite the green flag stop. During the caution, the leaders chose to also pit and as the field cycled through, Speed was returned to the lead position.

During the caution laps, the team radioed Speed that the No. 16 had lost third gear and may have issues on the restart.

"That's a shame," replied Speed. "That was some really good racing we had going on there with the 16. That's just really unfortunate."

With 24 laps remaining in the race, Speed restarted in the first position and pulled out once again to a strong lead.

On lap 65 the left front tire blew again. Speed calmly maneuvered the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota back to his pit for another set of tires. Once again, the team returned Speed to the track on the lead lap. When Speed rejoined the field he was buried deep in the field in position 25.

Only two laps later, the caution came out and Speed was scored in the 18th position. As Donahue and Labbe tried to reassure Speed that he could pick up a position here and there, Speed replied, "let's not predict where we're going to finish. Clearly we can't predict anything; we've already blown two tires while leading. I'm just going to go out and pass as many cars as I can and see what happens."

And that is precisely what Scott Speed did.

On the restart, Speed powered into the top-10. When the caution flag flew on lap 77 that sent the race to a green-white-checkered finish, Speed was already up to the fifth position.

"Excellent job!" radioed Donahue. "That was a really good restart there."

The race resumed on lap 85. Speed took the white flag on lap 86 in the fourth position and set to charge for the lead, going three-wide into Turn 1 against teammate Justin Lofton in the No. 20 Lofton Cattle Dodge and the 00 of Rob Brent. There was contact and cars scrambled to avoid the melee. The race remained green and the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota crossed the start-finish line on the bumper of race winner, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

"We had an awesome car all weekend," said Speed following the race. "We misjudged the tires and had two flat tires during the race. To bounce back from that and still come in second is a great weekend. The team did a great job!"

When questioned about the final lap, Speed replied that "well, I definitely didn't make too many friends out there but that was definitely an epic end to the race. Period. To be honest it was very surprising to be able to catch the 99 as much as we did. I mean we must have caught him a second a lap for the last two laps. We needed one more lap and I think we would have passed him."

Speed jumped to third in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship point standings, only 100 points behind leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

Ken Butler III

Butler Holds Tight and Finishes 11th in Pocono 200

Pocono, Pa. (June 9, 2008) - Eddie Sharp Racing's Ken Butler, III faced a new track this weekend in the No. 22 Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota. The triangular Pocono Raceway proved a challenge to the young driver. Butler, III qualified in the 17th position on Friday afternoon. Falling out of the top-15 only once following a pit stop, Butler took the checkered flag of the extended Pocono 200 in the 11th position.

"That was the hardest I've ever had to drive," said Butler, III. "It was a frustrating day, to be honest, because every corner is so different and the car handled different in each turn. I'm stunned we were able to finish 11th. The Aaron's Lucky Dog team worked super hard this weekend. I appreciate all their efforts."

Butler qualified the Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota in the 17th position with a 55.835 second lap around the 2.5-mile paved triangle.

Under the first caution, Butler radioed to his team that the car felt "a little tight and a little loose." Crew Chief Wayne Carroll replied that "we'll pit the next caution and work on it."

At lap 29 Butler brought the No. 22 Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota down pit road for the day's first pit stop. The team put four fresh tires on the Camry, added fuel, and made a track bar adjustment for the "loose in" condition that Butler had reported. Butler restarted the race in the 13th position on lap 32.

Butler pitted again on lap 69, this time taking only four tires and fuel. No adjustments were made to the Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota. Butler returned to the track and restarted the race at lap 74 in the 19th position.

As the final laps slipped away, Butler and the No. 22 Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota continued to gain track position. The Pocono 200 concluded under a green-white-checkered flag finish, extending the event to 86 laps, rather than the scheduled 80 laps. When the checkered flag dropped, Butler had climbed to the 11th position.

"Communication was a challenge today," added Butler. "I had trouble really describing the car's handling in each of the turns because it handled so differently in each corner. We'll look forward to MIS next weekend for a better finish. Fortunately we didn't lose our tenth-place points position. We're also moving forward in the Speedway Challenge. We were tied for third coming into this weekend. With Michael Annett out of the chase, we definitely made up some ground there."

Butler, III remains in the Top-10 in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship point standings, in the tenth position and 345 points behind leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

POCONO

Eddie Sharp

Scott Speed

Justin Lofton

Ken Butler, III

Justin Lofton

Lofton Focusing on Strong Race, Not on Dramatic Finish at Pocono

Long Pond, Pa. (June 10, 2008) -Justin Lofton and the Lofton Cattle team were looking forward to the Pocono 200. Pocono Raceway is a track at which Eddie Sharp Racing has seen a lot of success. With team owner Eddie Sharp calling the shots for the Lofton Cattle team, Lofton showed his skills with a solid practice session. The SunTrust Rookie of the Year candidate ripped off an impressive top 5 qualifying lap in the heat of the Friday afternoon.

Running in the top 10 all day in the Pocono 200, Lofton was challenging Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for the lead when he and ESR teammate Scott Speed made contact during a green-white-checkered finish. The contact sent Lofton sliding up the track and ultimately spinning in the grass off of Turn 1. The caution flag was never raised and Lofton, who was able to maneuver the Lofton Cattle Dodge back onto the track, lost 17 positions and finished the day in 19th place.

"I'm full of emotions right now. I'm upset because we had a car to win, but I am so excited because we finally ran up front all day," said Lofton. "It was a good day overall, we showed everyone that we can contend for the win. The contact with Scott was unfortunate but it is part of racing. We were both trying to go for the win. I learned a lot today and I can not wait to get to Michigan next week. Man, I really thought we could have got Ricky, I was working on him lap after lap. I didn't want to wreck him so I was trying to set him up, I guess it just was not meant to be."

Justin's qualifying lap of 54.397 seconds (165.450 mph) gave him a fantastic fifth place starting spot. The Lofton Cattle team along with team owner Eddie Sharp, who came out of retirement for the weekend to act also as Crew Chief for the No. 20 team, made a lot of changes during practice to get the handling of the car adjusted to Lofton's liking.

With the smoldering sun beating down, the green flag flew on Saturday at 1:00pm EST. Lofton held his position and managed to take good care of his car. The Lofton Cattle Dodge was extremely fast and remained at the front of the field.

When the caution flag flew on lap 29, the No. 20 pitted for four fresh Hoosier tires and two cans of fuel. Lofton was very happy with the handling of the car and crew chief Eddie Sharp decided not to make any adjustments. Lofton regained the field in tenth position and quickly navigated his way through the field. By lap 44, Lofton was up to the third position and gaining on the leaders.

"It's a bit tight in and a tick loose off," radioed Lofton on lap 49 as the caution flag flew again.

The team decided to pit for the final time for four tires, a small air pressure adjustment and two cans of fuel. Lofton had problems leaving the pit stall, causing him to lose several spots. He rejoined the field in the tenth position, yet again.

When the race restarted, Lofton was on a mission. By lap 65 the No. 20 Lofton Cattle Dodge was already up to third place and still charging.

"I am better than the No. 99 off the corners, if I could get a good run I could get him," radioed Lofton.

Lofton was racing Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. for the lead on lap 77 when the caution flag flew for the final time. The ARCA RE/MAX Series Pocono 200 was sent into overtime and a green-white-checkered finish was the answer.

The green flag flew and into Turn 1 Lofton went; he dove to the inside of the No. 99, trying to get a run to pass him off the corner. Teammate Scott Speed also took the corner to drive to the inside of Lofton. Three-wide in the turn, contact was made with the No. 2 that sent Lofton sliding up the track and spinning into the grass on the apron of the track. Lofton regained control of the Lofton Cattle Dodge and rejoined the field. Despite the spinning car, the race remained under the green flag. Lofton finished the race in 19th position.

"My luck has to turn around sometime soon, I mean running for the win and end up 19th," said Lofton. "I'm working hard to do my part as the driver and I know my team is working extremely hard to give me good race cars. At least at the end of the day, we were up there and I got my name out there."

Yes he did. Expect to see a lot more of Justin Lofton and the No. 20 Lofton Cattle Dodge at the front of the field!

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
HARD KNOCKS AT TEXAS FOR SPEED

Scott Speed

FORT WORTH, TX (JUNE 6, 2008)-Not once, but twice Scott Speed charged to the front of the field in Friday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

The second surge, however, proved disastrous, as a run-in with the No. 15 Truck sent Scott and his No. 22 Red Bull Toyota crashing into the wall. He was racing three-wide fighting for the 10th position with only a handful of laps to go, but the end result was a 26th-place finish.

At the start of the Sam's Town 400, Scott worked his way through the pack and charged to 10th position by lap 70. Speed and Rick Crawford got together on lap 130, spinning the Red Bull Truck through the front stretch grass and forcing the NCTS rookie to restart in the 22nd position. Then, after picking his way through the field for the second time, came the tangle with the No. 15 Truck that sent Speed hard up into the SAFER barrier wall, ending the Red Bull driver's day.

Scott Speed returns to the No. 22 Toyota for next Saturday's NCTS race at Michigan International Speedway. Speed will be pulling double-duty again, also driving the No. 2 Red Bull Toyota in Friday's ARCA RE/MAX Series race.

Scott Speed: "Well it wasn't the finish we wanted, but I had fun trying! The first time we got hit, I was lucky enough to keep it off of pit wall and get back onto the track. The second time, I wasn't as lucky. That was my first real wreck in one of these Trucks and my elbow took quite a beating! I'm still learning how to drive these Trucks, but we're getting better each time out and we're always learning, which is what I'm here to do."

Scott Speed

Multidisciplinarian Red Bull star to jet between Pocono and Texas for ARCA RE/REMAX Series and NCTS


DENVER, N.C. (June 03, 2008) - As The ARCA RE/MAX Series travels to Long Pond, Pennsylvania this weekend, Scott Speed's career has momentum and is not slowing down. Speed has one win, three Top-5's, and five Top-10's with Eddie Sharp Racing in the 2008 ARCA season. Most recently at Dover International Speedway, Speed added a win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to his growing list of accolades. Speed will pull double-duty by competing in Saturday's ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Pocono Speedway and the Friday night NCTS event at Texas Motor Speedway. Though the weekend will be very busy, Speed is confident that he can put both Red Bull Toyotas in Victory Lane.

"I can't even say how excited I was to win in Dover," said Speed. "I can't wait to get to Pocono and Texas this weekend. I know that my Eddie Sharp Racing team has a great car for Pocono. This was our Kansas winner and what should have been our Kentucky winner. It's a great car, the guys know it well, I know it well, and I have absolutely no doubt that it will be the car to beat this weekend."

This will be Speed's first career start at the 2.5-mile triangular speedway.

Eddie Sharp Racing is bringing car #101 (aka chassis #619) to Pocono Raceway. This Toyota Camry was last seen on-track at Kentucky Speedway, where Speed led the most laps (55) and, with no third gear remaining, had the lead taken from him in racing "overtime". This is also the rocket that ESR took to Kansas Speedway, where Speed started second and earned his first career win in a stock car.

"Obviously this car has been very good to us," stated Crew Chief Patrick Donahue. "Between that and the confidence that Scott has gained with his ARCA and Truck experience, I expect us to be very competitive this weekend at Pocono. We won here last fall with Michael [Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael McDowell] and I absolutely believe we can win with Scott this weekend."

Ken Butler III

Ready to Turn Season Around in Pocono

DENVER, N.C. (June 4, 2008) - Ken Butler, III and his No. 22 Aaron's Lucky Dog team head to Long Pond, Pennsylvania this weekend for the Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway. Despite one pole, one Top-5 and three Top-10 finishes in the season's first seven events, KBIII is definitely not happy with his 2008 season so far. Eddie Sharp Racing's Butler and his No. 22 team are bringing a brand spankin' new Toyota Camry to Pocono and are ready to turn the season around.

"To say that I'm disappointed in our season so far is an understatement," said Butler, III. "The team has given me absolutely fantastic cars. We've just had some bad luck with accidents like at Rockingham and Toledo and those finishes hurt us a lot. I am confident that Pocono is going to be our turning point. We're focused and ready to finish up front."

This weekend marks the first career start for Ken Butler, III at the 2.5-mile triangular speedway. Last fall, Eddie Sharp Racing teammates Michael McDowell and Josh Wise finished 1-2 in the Pennsylvania 200 at Pocono Raceway.

Butler added that "we're bringing a brand new Aaron's Lucky Dog Toyota Camry to Pocono this weekend. My guys tell me that it is going to be wicked fast, so I am really looking forward to getting on the track with it. My team has worked really hard this year for me and I can't tell them enough how much I appreciate it."

Justin Lofton

Seeking Change of Luck This Weekend at Pocono

Denver, N.C. (June 3, 3008) - Justin Lofton and the No. 20 Lofton Cattle team are poised to head to Pocono, Pennsylvania this weekend for the running of the Pocono 200. The Eddie Sharp Racing rookie is looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to the 2008 season. Lofton and his team have taken advantage of the two weeks off and are fully recharged and focused to get back racing.

"Eddie Sharp Racing has had a lot of success at Pocono and I am hoping to take full advantage of the notes and knowledge the organization has to offer," said Lofton. "I feel good about our chances this weekend, my team gives me great cars every week and I need to bring them home the finishes they deserve."

Lofton added that "I have been looking forward to this race all season, we are taking one of my favorite cars and I am ready to get after it."

"We have had some dumb luck and it has really taken me by surprise," said Lofton, while helping the team prepare for the weekend. "I am really glad we had a few weeks off but I am itching to get back in the seat. I have been racing on my computer non-stop trying to prepare myself, I have been going to the gym and I really feel I am more mentally & physically prepared."

Last season Eddie Sharp Racing was able to bring home a win at Pocono Raceway with driver Michael McDowell and they are looking to bring a win home again this year. Look for all three of the ESR cars to be contending for the win.

SCOTT SPEED QUICK FACTS:

2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Stats:
Best Start: 2nd (twice) at Daytona, Feb. '08 and Kansas , Apr. '08
Best Finish: Won at Kansas, Apr. '08

Notes of Interest:
> Eddie Sharp Racing is bringing car #101 (aka chassis #619) to Pocono Raceway. This Toyota Camry was last seen on-track at Kentucky Speedway, where Speed led the most laps (55) and had the lead taken from him while in racing "overtime". This is also the rocket that ESR took to Kansas Speedway, where Speed started second and finished first.
> Car #101 has won four out of six races - Kansas Speedway, April 2008 (Speed); Kentucky Speedway, July 2007 (McDowell); Pocono, August 2007 (McDowell); and Chicagoland, September 2007 (McDowell).
> First career start at Pocono Raceway for Scott Speed.

KEN BUTLER, III QUICK FACTS:

2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Stats:
Best Start: Pole at Kansas, Apr. '08
Best Finish: 4th at Kentucky, May '08
Top 10's: 3 (4th at Kentucky, May '08; 7th at Iowa , Apr. '08; and 7th at Kansas , Apr. '08)

Notes of Interest:
> Eddie Sharp Racing is bringing car #115 to Pocono Raceway. This is a brand new car in the Eddie Sharp Racing stable.
> In August 2007, Eddie Sharp Racing finished 1-2, respectively, with drivers Michael McDowell and Josh Wise.
> This is Butler's first career start at Pocono Raceway.
> Butler assisted with the Hoosier Tire Test earlier this season at Pocono Raceway.

JUSTIN LOFTON QUICK FACTS:

2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Stats:
Best Start: 3rd (twice) at Rockingham and Toledo, May '08
Best Finish: 12th at Kansas, Apr. '08

Notes of Interest:
> Eddie Sharp Racing is bringing car #112 to Pocono Raceway. The Dodge was last seen on-track at Kentucky Speedway, May 2008.
> Car #112 is was also the car that Lofton drove to his best finish at Kansas Speedway, April 2008.
> First career start at Pocono Raceway for Justin Lofton.