After last weekend's run in Kentucky Justin Lofton was content, but slightly frustrated. Lofton finished third last Saturday but he entered the race weekend with one goal in mind; to return to victory lane.
To date, Lofton has one win this season, scored in April at Talladega, and currently sits second in the driver point standings. He leads the series with eight top five finishes. He also has three straight top-10s, nine total through the 11-race season to date.
Though the majority of his competitors envy his results, Lofton, driver of the No. 6 Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing, wants more. His position in the point standings and his absence in victory lane is his motivation this weekend as the series heads to Berlin Raceway.
"We're going to start going for wins. That's always been the goal overall but we've played it conservative, watching the points. We're going to take more risks in the pits with strategy and change things up a bit," Lofton said. "The effort that we put in as a team is not going to change one bit. We're just going to mix it up."
As Lofton and crew chief Mark Rette embrace the "take no prisoners" approach for the second half of the season, the competition should be on the lookout. Not only is the No. 6 team's motivation high but this weekend's race at Berlin shows all signs pointing to Lofton.
The Berlin track measures less than half a mile in length, giving Lofton the clear advantage. The team will roll out Lofton's favorite car for the weekend and so far this season, its amassed stellar results. Lofton has garnered two pole awards, nabbed four top-10s and finished runner-up in the previous short track runs so far this season. As if that weren't enough, last season in Berlin Lofton finished fourth.
"We're all excited about this race. I love short track racing and I'm running my favorite car. I feel like we're right there, and winning is definitely the plan this weekend," he added.
Joining Lofton and the No. 6 ESR team this weekend is primary sponsor Valvoline Instant Oil Change. Valvoline Instant Oil Change first appeared on Lofton's Toyota in June at Michigan. As part of the partnership this weekend, Lofton will be meeting fans and signing autographs prior to the 200-lap event. He will be appearing at a local Valvoline Instant Oil Change center, located at 7501 E. Main Street in Jenison, Michigan on Friday, July 24th from 11 A.M to 1 P.M. and again from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M.
The Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac is set for Saturday, July 25th at 8:30 P.M. Live event coverage can be seen on ARCARacing.com.
For more on Justin Lofton, visit www.LoftonRacing.com
For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, visit www.TeamESR.com
For more information on Valvoline Instant Oil Change, including locations, please visit www.VIOC.com
About Marathon Domestic, LLC. a Licensed Franchisee of Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Marathon Domestic LLC, operates 59 Valvoline Instant Oil Change service centers in Mid-Michigan and the Toledo, Ohio areas. With more than 800 locations throughout the United States, Valvoline Instant Oil Change® is a leader in serving the quick lube market.
About Eddie Sharp Racing
Eddie Sharp set up shop in 2005 after several years of transforming young, talented drivers into ARCA championship contenders. Today, Eddie Sharp Racing has evolved into the rite of passage for any serious upcoming driver with an ambition for professional stock car racing. Located in Denver, North Carolina just north of Charlotte, Eddie Sharp Racing occupies a top-notch facility that closely resembles a five-star NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, both inside and out. The two ESR buildings each contain two teams where on any given day, championship contending cars are assembled, engines tuned and teams strategize to score the next race day victory.
