ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Federated & Belle Tire
TOLEDO

TEAM ESR, LOFTON TALLY WIN NUMBER 5
Goess Gets Another Top-5 at Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 4, 2009)- Eddie Sharp Racing driver Justin Lofton drove to his fifth race win of the season on Friday night at Toledo Speedway, taking the checkered flag in the ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Belle Tire. The entire ESR organization flexed its muscle on Friday, with all three teams running within the top 10 for the majority of the event. Teammate Craig Goess continued his consistency within the top 10, crossing the finish line behind Lofton in the sixth position. Tim George Jr. was running in the eighth position late in the running before contact hampered his run. He ended the night in 16th.

Justin Lofton

Lofton started the 100-miler from the outside of the front row in the Valvoline Instant Oil Change sponsored No. 6 Toyota. He first moved into the lead on lap 68. After pitstops cycled through, all three ESR teams found themselves battling within the top 10. As Lofton led the way, teammate Goess ran third in the blue and white Greenville Toyota of N.C. entry while George Jr., who battled his way from a 19th starting position, ran eighth.

Once the race hit the halfway mark, race leader Lofton opted to relinquish his lead in order to make a pitstop for four fresh tires. The restart fell on lap 106 with George Jr. holding down the 10th position with teammates Lofton and Goess chasing him, lingering around the top 15. But it didn't take long for either driver to work their way back into contention.

Having won three of the last four races entering Toledo, and given his history on the short track, Lofton was again a clear favorite. Following a caution flag on lap 142, he took advantage of the restart, jumping to the inside for the second position. Goess followed him through the traffic, and with 50 laps left to run, was fifth on the board.

George Jr., who has a background in road racing, was holding his own as well, running eighth late in the running but contact while battling for position with 25 laps to go, caused his No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota to spin in turn 4. The incident brought out the caution flag and set the field for a restart 21 laps from the finish.

At the drop of the green flag for the restart, Lofton lined up behind pole-sitter and current leader Joey Coulter. A lap down following his spin, George Jr. started to the inside. Coulter led Lofton down the frontstretch for the restart and Lofton quickly jockeyed for position, overpowering the rookie for the lead off of turn 3.

Despite another caution flag dropping in the closing laps, Lofton maintained the top spot and drove off to his fifth race win of the 2009 season. It was the No. 6 ESR team's fourth race win spanning the last five events.

"It was absolutely awesome. The win here has eluded me for the last three races now and I had to pull one off. Especially since it was the last time we're coming here. I'm excited, to win at Toledo, ARCA's home track. It means a lot to me," an elated Lofton said from victory lane.

Goess followed, finishing sixth, securing his tenth top 10 of the season. Following the contact on lap 175, George Jr. finished 16th.

Lofton continues to lead the point standings, now 65 markers ahead of the second place Parker Kligerman. Goess maintained fifth and George Jr. remains within striking distance of the top 10, as he sits 11th.

DRIVER REPORTS
Lofton wins number five; Extends point lead

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 4, 2009)-If ever a track owed Justin Lofton, it might have been Toledo Speedway. Lofton's been successful on the Ohio short track, setting the track record in 2008. He also led a race high 93 laps in the spring event earlier this season, but finished second. For some reason, a win at Toledo was just out of the California native's reach.

Until Friday night.

Lofton, piloting the No. 6 Valvoline Instant Oil Change Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing, qualified second, led twice for over 50 laps and drove home to his fifth race win this season, taking the checkered flag in the ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Belle Tire.

"It was absolutely awesome. The win here has eluded me for the last three races now and I had to pull one off. Especially since it was the last time we're coming here. I'm excited, to win at Toledo, ARCA's home track. It means a lot to me," Lofton exclaimed for victory lane.

Lofton narrowly missed his sixth pole of the season on Friday afternoon but lined up in the second position for the start of the 200-lap, 100-mile event.

Once the green flag dropped, he settled into the third slot for the early portion of the race before cycling into the lead on lap 68 while other leaders opted to pit. Lofton's No. 6 led the way for a stealthy 35 laps before making his one and only pitstop, just beyond the halfway mark of the race, on lap 103 under a caution flag.

For the restart just laps later, Lofton lined up 13th, behind all of the cars that pit under an earlier sequence. Within 10 laps, he had worked his way back into the top 10.

Lofton continued to work his magic as the laps waned, picking up positions and with just over 50 laps remaining, made the pass for the second position.

10 laps later, yet another caution flag waved and while riding in the second spot, Lofton cued his radio, telling his Mark Rette-led crew, "We're right where we want to be. It's good, fun racing with these guys."

Following another caution flag on lap 175, a hungry Lofton lined up for the restart with 20 laps left to run and took advantage once the leader, pole-sitter Joey Coulter, led the field up to speed. Lofton dropped his Toyota to the inside and claimed the top spot through turn 3 and 4.

Despite another caution flag, Lofton was able to hold his position and drive off to his second straight win.

The win padded his lead in the point standings over the second place entry of Parker Kligerman. Entering the dirt race at DuQuoin State Fair on Monday, Lofton has a 65-point advantage courtesy of his five race wins, series leading 14 top-10 and 12 top-five finishes.

"I really want to thank Valvoline Instant Oil Change. I'm sad this is our last race together but I'm glad we brought it home," added Lofton.

Of Lofton's five race wins this season, four have fallen over the last five races. Valvoline Instant Oil Change joined Lofton as the primary sponsor for two of those events with Lofton wheeling his Toyota to victory twice during that stretch, taking the franchise to victory lane at Berlin and Toledo.

Lofton will look to make it win number six of the season on Labor Day, running the ARCA RE/MAX Series Southern Illinois 100.

DRIVER REPORTS
Tim George Jr. has solid run at Toledo, anticipating dirt return

Tim George, Jr.: Short track woes

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 4, 2009)- Tim George Jr. was on his way to his second top 10 of the ARCA RE/MAX Series season on Friday night at Toledo Speedway before the woes of short track racing caught up with him. The New York native raced his way from a 19th starting spot to the top10 before contact late in the running hampered his efforts, dropping the Ruby Tuesday team to 16th at the finish.

George Jr. entered the day positive about his chances. After notching the 11th spot on the speed chart in practice, George Jr., crew chief Jon Wolfe and car owner Eddie Sharp discussed their approach to the rest of the day. George Jr. then transitioned the information from his crew chief and car owner by laying down a solid qualifying effort, rolling off of the grid within the top 20.

Once the green flag dropped for the ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Belle Tire, George Jr. muscled his No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota through traffic. As various pit strategies played out, George Jr. had moved within the top 10, settling into the eighth position by lap 68.

He maintained his position up front through the halfway mark on lap 100. After holding his own steadily within the top 10, misfortune hit the savvy newcomer on lap 175 after contact from the Robb Brent sent the No. 2 machine spinning in turn 4.

"It was a great run last night, until the 36 car decided to use his nose late in the race. I was running within the top 10, and with about 25 to go and he got into me. There was significant damage to the driver's side door where he hit me. It was just too hard of a hit to save. It was hard racing, and he wasn't faster than me. I guess he was frustrated, but I didn't want to give up the position," George Jr. explained of his run.

"He did apologize after the race, which didn't make it better, but at least he was a good sport. It seems like the top 10s will continue to allude us. I had a few other long side-by-side runs with other cars, and learned a lot. We ended up 16th, and my guys were happy with the effort."

The 16th place effort gave George Jr. his 12th top-20 finish with five races remaining on his rookie campaign.

George Jr. will next hit the track on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th at DuQuoin State Fair for the Southern Illinois 100. The race will mark his second run on dirt. Just three races ago, George Jr. made his debut on a dirt track in Springfield, Illinois, finishing 14th.

"Headed into the next dirt race, I will reflect back to Springfield, my one and only experience I have on dirt so far. That was a solid run, and I look forward to having some fun on Labor Day and learning more about racing with limited grip."

QUALIFYING: Lofton Starts 2nd; Goess -9th; George -19th

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 4, 2009)- Justin Lofton will start from second positionfor tonight's ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Federated and Belle Tire at Toledo Speedway. The 200 lap short track thriller, race 16 of the 21-race ARCA RE/MAX Series, rolls off at 8:30 p.m. at the half-mile Glass City Oval. Teammates Craig Goess and Tim George will start from 9th and 19th respectively.

Lofton starts on the outside front row after posting a 16.065 second (112.045 mph) lap in the No. 6 Valvoline Instant Oil Change Toyota. With his qualifying effort, Lofton also earned five championship points on Parker Kligerman, who qualified third. At the conclusion of each ARCA RE/MAX Series qualifying session, the polesitter is awarded 15 championship points, the second-place qualifier earns ten points and the third-place qualifier earns five points. Heading into tonight's race, Lofton leads Kligerman by 60 points in the championship points race.

PRACTICE

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 4, 2009)- Craig Goess Jr. posted the best time of the three Eddie Sharp Racing squads around the half-mile Toledo Speedway on Friday afternoon. 32 drivers participated in a practice session in preparation for Friday evening's ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Federated and Belle Tire. The race marks the ARCA RE/MAX Series' 66th appearance at Toledo.

The session was plagued by a number of cautions, one of which occurred a half-hour into the session when the No. 42 car of Clay Rogers made contact with the outside turn three wall. Rogers was uninjured. His car: not so much.

ARCA RE/MAX Series race teams are in the garage area at Toledo Speedway preparing for Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

DRIVER PREVIEWS
Points leader Lofton excited about Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Toledo returns

Lofton took his second career pole at Toledo last season

DENVER, N.C. (September 1, 2009) – Justin Lofton enters this Friday's race at Toledo Speedway with momentum, confidence, and the ARCA RE/MAX Series points lead. Lofton is fresh off a race win last Friday night at Chicagoland Speedway, which rocketed him into his rightful place atop the leader board after the 23-year-old claimed his third race win spanning the last four races.

This weekend, Lofton looks to extend his winning streak on a track that he's run well on previously. During Lofton's first stop to Toledo earlier this season in May, he led over 90 laps and finished runner-up.

"We had a good car and I felt that if we would have had a few more laps we would easily have been able to get the lead," Lofton said of the spring race.

"I've been looking forward to getting back to Toledo. Short track racing is fun, it's a good track and I can always depend on Mark Rette my crew chief, and all of the guys on this No. 6 team to give me a fast car. These guys work hard and it's showing."

The hard work is definitely showing as Lofton now leads the way in the standings by 55 points over second place with just six events remaining this season. In addition to his four wins spanning the season, Lofton leads the series with 13 top-10 finishes and 11 top-fives.

Additionally, he holds the track record at Toledo, qualifying in 15.860 seconds, a top speed at 113.493 mph, , set in 2008.

The Toledo run brings not only anticipation and excitement but also the return of Valvoline Instant Oil Change as the primary sponsor on Lofton's Toyota. The last time the Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchise graced the hood of Lofton's Toyota Camry, Lofton provided them with a win on the short track at Berlin.

"I can't say enough about Valvoline Instant Oil Change and everybody involved. It felt really good to give them that win at Berlin and we're going to see what we can do about giving them another this week," Lofton added.

As part of the partnership with Valvoline Instant Oil Change, fans can meet their favorite driver Lofton on Thursday, September 3rd from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the local Valvoline Instant Oil Change located at 3314 Navarre Avenue in Toledo.

The facility is marking the day as Customer Appreciation Day and fans in attendance will receive:
1/2 off all oil changes from 8 A.M. until 7 P.M.
1000 Speedy Reward Points with every oil change
FREE food, fun and give-a-ways all day for oil change customers

DRIVER PREVIEWS
George Jr. to make second start at Toledo, confident about return

DENVER, N.C. (September 1, 2009) – Eddie Sharp Racing rookie Tim George Jr. will make his second career ARCA RE/MAX Series start on the paved half-mile at Toledo Speedway this Friday. George Jr., driver of the No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota, has one previous start on the Ohio racetrack from the tour's first stop in May, when he qualified ninth and finished 17th.

"I am looking forward to going back to Toledo. My father is from Ohio, and not too far from where the track is located. I have been going to this area for a few years, racing at the Mid-Ohio Raceway, but this will be my second time back at Toledo," George Jr. said.

"I ran very competitive lap times there last time, but had some unfortunate circumstances with lapped cars. We look forward to bringing a new car back there and running well this time."

2009 is George Jr.'s first year behind the wheel of a stockcar after turning laps on road course racetracks such as Mid-Ohio in the Grand Am Rolex Series. To date, he has compiled a solid string of stats that showcase his diversity despite his freshman label. Kicking things off at the famed speedway in Daytona, George Jr. notched an impressive seventh place effort in his debut in a stockcar.

Since then, he has added 11 top-20 finishes throughout the first 15 races, including a 14th place run on the one-mile dirt track just two weeks ago. He currently sits 11th in the point standings, knocking on the door of the top 10.

George Jr. will next hit the track at Toledo Speedway this Friday, September 4th. The schedule will be action packed surrounding the ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Federated & Belle Tire, as practice, qualifying and the race all take ace in one day. The 200 lap, 100-mile race will begin at 8:30 P.M. EST.