Justin Lofton, No. 6 College Complete Team Finish Third at Daytona

Justin Lofton

> DAYTONA BEACH, FL. -- Justin Lofton and the No. 6 College Complete Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) team had high hopes entering the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season opener on Friday at the Daytona International Speedway. After an intense race with multiple wrecks and three attempts at a green-white-checkered flag finish, their hopes proved reality after Lofton crossed the line in third at the finish.

"I am so proud of my crew chief Dan Bormann and all of the guys on this No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet team. Dan called a great race tonight with pit strategy, and we had a really good truck," Lofton said. "I was pretty nervous out there. I felt like we weren't going to make it on fuel with all of those cautions, but it all worked out. It feels good to start the season so strong."

Initially, the team wasn't sure what they would have to work with for the race after running less than 30 laps during both practice sessions on Thursday. After discovering a broken shock, the guys repaired Lofton's machine, allowing him to qualify 15th for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday.

Once the green flag waved on the event, it didn't take long for the California native to find a comfortable spot in the draft as he logged laps around the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

On lap 20, the team made their first pit stop of the night, allowing Bormann to lay the groundwork for the team's strategy by calling for two right side tires and fuel. The team would pit a total of three times throughout the night, taking on fuel only during the other two stops.

Lofton did his part with keeping the track position, as he maneuvered his No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet through the draft like a veteran, maintaining a top-10 drive for the majority of the race.

Following a caution flag, Lofton lined up eighth with 10 laps remaining in the race. However, intense racing and carnage forced the race into three attempts at a green-white-checkered flag finish.

After taking the green for the final time from the fourth position, Lofton jockeyed for position, moving into third at the stripe. The result equaled his career best showing of third, previously scored at Dover during his rookie season in 2010.

Lofton, Bormann, and the rest of the College Complete ESR team will have a few weeks off from competition before the NCWTS schedule resumes at the Martinsville Speedway short track in Martinsville, Virginia.

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Justin Lofton Daytona Update: Final Practice

> Final Practice Notes: There were no incidents involving the No. 6 entry during practice. All three ESR trucks attempted drafting practice during the session. Lofton experienced a vibration during practice and the team is currently investigating the cause. Lofton is slated to qualify the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet 16th tomorrow.

> Quotes: Justin Lofton, No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet:"Our Chevrolet had a vibration in the rearend near the end of practice. The guys are working to figure out what exactly the cause was. Otherwise, we're really happy with the CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet-it sucks up really well in the draft and I think it will run well in the race tomorrow night."

> Media Coverage: Tune into SPEED tonight at 6:30 p.m. EST to watch final practice from Daytona International Speedway and tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. EST for qualifying. Live coverage of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 will be broadcast on SPEED, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 24th.

Justin Lofton Daytona Update: First Practice

> Practice Notes: There were no incidents involving the No. 6 entry during practice. Lofton logged five laps in single-truck runs, and will participate in the draft during second practice.

> Quotes: Justin Lofton, No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet: "I'm really excited to get back in the truck. We aren't mixing it up until second practice; we spent first practice in single-truck runs. I'm looking forward to seeing how the truck moves in the draft."

> Media Coverage: Tune into SPEED tonight at 6:30 p.m. EST to watch final practice from Daytona International Speedway and tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. EST for qualifying. Live coverage of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 will be broadcast on SPEED, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 24th.

Justin Lofton Daytona International Speedway Event Preview

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 - February 24, 2012

Justin Lofton

No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet Silverado News and Notes

> DENVER, NC. - Justin Lofton and the No. 6 College Complete (http://www.collegecomplete.com, 877-543-2655) Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) team are excited about the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season. After reuniting last July, Lofton and ESR laid the groundwork for a strong 2012 charge. Beginning with their manufacturer change in September, to adding new personnel over the off season, the No. 6 College Complete team has put everything in place to make a statement out of the gate this week at the Daytona International Speedway that they are a force to be reckoned with for the championship.

"I am really excited about this year. My crew chief Dan (Bormann) put together a great team. We basically rebuilt everything; from the trucks, the guys on the team, to our pit crew," Lofton said. "This is going to be a fun year. We have good group with a lot of experience. With the support from Chevrolet and Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, we have everything we need to run up front."

To pass his time during the NCWTS off season the last few months, Lofton maintained a busy schedule, hosting his second annual Justin Lofton Charity Golf Tournament, and racing in the desert. For the second straight year, Lofton raised more than $40,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley in his native California. He also ran two off-road events in the Best in the Desert (BITD) Racing Association in a class 1500 unlimited buggy. In December, Lofton earned the Henderson 250 win after dominating the class with over a 13-minute lead at the finish.

This weekend, Lofton will return to his full-time ride in the Truck Series behind the wheel of the No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet Silverado in Daytona, piloting chassis number 55. The last time the truck was raced was last October at Talladega Superspeedway, where it sat on the outside pole.

When he takes the green flag this Friday for the NextEra Energy Resources 250, Lofton will be making his third career truck start at the famed 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. In his previous two starts, He has a best starting spot of 17th and best finish in 18th. In 2009, Lofton started on the pole for the ARCA Racing Series event and finished an impressive third.

Lofton, crew chief Dan Bormann, and the rest of the No. 6 College Complete Chevrolet team will turn their first laps of the 2012 season on Thursday, February 23rd at 12:10 PM eastern time.