ARCA RE/MAX Series Allen Crow 100
SPRINGFIELD

Team ESR Drivers Nab Sixth, 14th on the Dirt at Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (August 23, 2009)--Eddie Sharp Racing drivers Justin Lofton, Tim George Jr. and Craig Goess hit the track on Sunday for a rare run on a dirt track, running the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Though new to the three young drivers, all had solid runs throughout the race. Lofton, making his second appearance on the one-mile track, was the highest finishing ESR driver to cross the stripe in sixth while rookie George Jr. charged home in 14th. Goess also had a solid run going before getting caught up in a melee late in the running, finishing 26th.

After two weeks off from ARCA RE/MAX Series competition, all three ESR teams were ready to get back on track and tackle the challenges of the unique dirt track. Though rookies George Jr. and Goess had never raced on dirt, Lofton familiarized himself with the track last year during his freshman season. With knowledge of the track and momentum from winning the previous two ARCA events, Lofton set the pace in qualifying in the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota, notching his fifth pole award of the season, laying down a new track record. Teammate Goess, in the No. 81 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Toyota lined up 18th and George Jr.'s Ruby Tuesday sponsored Toyota 19th for the start of the 100-lapper.

Craig Goess Jr's No. 81 Camry suffered heavy damage as a result of getting caught up in a wreck and was unable to finish the event.

Lofton quickly flexed his muscle, setting sail around the dirt track for the first 21 laps until a caution flag waved. Under the yellow, Lofton dropped his machine down pitroad. Teammates Goess and George Jr. also opted to use the early caution as an opportunity to get the mandatory pitstop out of the way.

With other teams electing to use a different pit strategy, by the time another caution dropped after lap 40, Lofton had moved to second with Goess cracking the top 10.

As the race hit the halfway mark and under a caution flag, the 81 team opted to make a second stop for fresh tires for the second half of the race. Unfortunately, Goess lined his Toyota up deep in the field for the restart after the stop and got caught up in a wreck. His white No. 81 suffered heavy damage to the front end and despite repairs, was unable to finish the race.

Lofton started from the pole at Springfield

Lofton on the other hand, took advantage of the restart, pouncing on leader, nine-time champion Frank Kimmel for the position. By lap 70, Lofton maneuvered his Lofton Cattle Toyota by Kimmel as they battled a lapped car, reclaiming the lead.

Lofton dominated the next 18 laps before going door-to-door with Parker Kligerman. The two made contact while battling over position, with the left side of Lofton's ride taking a hit. As the laps clicked down, Lofton muscled his machine within the top five, despite the contact and older tires.

Tim George, Jr. brought home a solid result in his run on the dirt.

A late caution flag extended the race in a green-white-checkered flag finish and when all was said and done, Lofton notched his 12th top 10 of the season. Former road racer George Jr. happily landed a solid top 15 in his first ever dirt appearance, finishing 14th.

"We had a winning car but finished sixth. We lost the handle on it late in the running, so that is a bit disappointing but we are still within striking distance and we'll take that with us to Chicago and get them there," said Lofton, who maintains the second position in the point standings.

Team ESR will next hit the track this Friday, August 28th, at Chicagoland Speedway for the Ansell Cut Protection 150.

QUALIFYING UPDATE
Justin Lofton Sets New One-Lap Qualifying Record at Springfield!

Justin Lofton: Pole number 5!

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (August 23, 2009)--Eddie Sharp Racing's Justin Lofton, in the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota, set a new ARCA RE/MAX Series track record during Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell late Sunday morning at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.

It was Lofton's fifth pole of 2009.

Lofton toured the one-mile clay oval in 32.552 seconds (110.592 mph), to earn the row one, inside starting spot for this afternoon's Allen Crowe 100, which rolls off at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern. Lofton was among five qualifiers to eclipse the previous track record of 32.878 seconds/109.496 mph set by Frank Kimmel last year.

Rival Parker Kligerman will start on the outside front row alongside Lofton. Lofton's teammates Craig Goess, Jr. and Tim George, Jr. will start from 18th and 19th on the grid. In all, 36 drivers took time during Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell.

The Allen Crowe 100, race 14 of the 21-race 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series, is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern. Check www.arcaracing.com/ for live timing and scoring and live video.

PRACTICE UPDATE
Lofton Sixth in Practice at Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (August 23, 2009)--Eddie Sharp Racing's Justin Lofton was sixth fastest among 36 drivers who took times during an hour-long practice session at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on Sunday afternoon. .

"This weekend is my third time on dirt," said Lofton. "By no means am I an expert-Mark [Rette, Crew Chief] did a great job putting the car together. What we have is a lot better than what we came with last year. I'm just kind of learning and really leaning on Eddie [Sharp, car owner] and trying to remember how the track progresses throughout the day. Every lap we went out there the track was really different. Mark [Rette] would make a change and I would go out there and he would ask how it was and I replied back I wish I could tell you because the track has changed that much in the last five minutes. It was good. It's definitely going to be a tough race but it will definitely be exciting and hopefully we put on a good show."

Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell rolls off at 12 Noon Central, followed by the Allen Crowe 100, race 14 of the 21-race 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern. Check www.arcaracing.com/ for live timing and scoring and live video.

DRIVER PREVIEWS
Lofton looks to make it three straight, add dirt track to wins list

DENVER, N.C. (August 19, 2009) – 23-year-old Justin Lofton heads to the dirt track at Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend for the Allen Crowe 100 riding a wave of momentum. Lofton, driver of the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing, has shown his diversity in recent weeks, winning the last two ARCA RE/MAX Series races spanning the short track in Berlin and the 2.5-mile speedway in Pocono.

Adding to his repertoire, Lofton made his debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series last week at Michigan International Speedway, qualifying 19th and finishing an impressive 16th.

"We had a blast at Michigan. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Having Mark (Rette, crew chief) and all of the guys with me, made it a lot less stressful. They did great work on the car. Overall, it was just a lot of fun," Lofton said.

"We proved we can run with those guys and now we're focused on winning this ARCA championship. We have a lot of momentum working for us.

Lofton will be making his second start on the one-mile track in Springfield. Last season he maneuvered his way from a 34th starting spot but as he was making his climb through the field, another car spun and Lofton was left with nowhere to go, getting collected in the melee. After repairs, he returned to the track, finishing 24th.

"Last year was a learning experience for sure. I feel like I've grown a lot as a driver since then. All of the guys are pumped up to get back to the ARCA garage and see if we can add a win there to keep things rolling."

Lofton currently sits second in the point standings, just 20 points out of the lead.

The 100-miler at Springfield begins at 1 P.M. on Sunday with live coverage on ARCARacing.com.

To follow Justin Lofton on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/jlracing

George Jr. anxious to get racing again, looking forward to first dirt appearance

DENVER, N.C. (August 19, 2009) – After two weeks off, Tim George Jr. is ready to get back behind the wheel of his No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota at Illinois State Fairgrounds for the Allen Crowe 100 ARCA RE/MAX Series event. This weekend however, will be a challenge for the Eddie Sharp Racing rookie, as it marks the first time that the established road racer will race on a dirt track.

"This weekend will be my first time on dirt in any type of car. I have driven road course cars in the rain, and I am hoping that the experience will help," he said.

"I have a feeling Springfield will be a handful applying all that power, but I am looking forward to the car control practice. It is a one day show, so it will be important to learn quickly."

George Jr. spent his downtime over the last two weeks testing on a road course in New Jersey following the Pocono event, unofficially clocking in the third fastest time behind NASCAR regulars Michael McDowell and Chris Cook. Following the test, he returned to his native New York. There, he was the guest of honor for a launch party for Social Life magazine. This month, George Jr. is the magazine's cover model and has a six page spread for the lifestyle magazine.

With the hiatus in the ARCA schedule over, George Jr. is anxious for another new experience in a stock car. Before hitting the one-mile dirt track however, he will climb back behind the wheel to re-familiarize himself with his No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota, participating in an open practice at Chicagoland Speedway in preparation for the upcoming race on August 28th. He'll then head to Springfield for Sunday's one-day event on the clay-surfaced track.