Justin Lofton notched his eighth top-10 of the season on Saturday night on the 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway short track. Lofton, piloting the No. 6 Lofton Cattle/J.D. Heiskell & Company Toyota, rolled off from the fourth starting position and battled within the top five for the majority of the 200-lap race before settling into 10th at the finish.
"I'm happy we had another top-10 but wish we could have finished further up front," Lofton said. "This is a fun racetrack. My guys, Mark Rette (crew chief), all did a great job. We have such a good team here. I'd like to get another win for them again soon."
Lofton ran within the top 10 for the majority of the first portion of the race. Pit strategy shuffled the field a bit as the race played out, with some teams taking on their second set of tires earlier than the rest of the lead lap cars. Lofton's No. 6 crew didn't make any risky calls, allowing their driver to focus only on track position.
Following a caution flag, a restart came on lap 88 and Lofton, after other contenders opted to pit early, inherited the third position. Lofton's racy No. 6 Toyota remained within the top five and as the race played out over the halfway mark, he and his ESR teammate Steve Arpin even put on a spirited battle for position.
The remainder of the race was fairly calm with only six caution flags falling throughout the entire 175-mile race. Lofton battled to the end, falling into the 10th spot at the drop of the checkered flag.
Lofton maintains the second position in the point standings, 120 points behind leader Parker Kligerman.
He and the No. 6 ESR team will hit the track next on Saturday, July 18th at Kentucky Speedway.
For more on Justin Lofton, visit www.LoftonRacing.com
For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, visit www.TeamESR.com
