Eddie Sharp is well aware of what is at stake this Sunday at Rockingham Speedway. But no matter what happens, the multi-car team owner says that he's happy with the season his organization has produced and if nothing else, has shown that Eddie Sharp Racing is a contender to be reckoned with for years to come.
"We're the strongest we've ever been."— Eddie Sharp
"I have the best group of people that I've ever had around me. We're the strongest we've ever been," Sharp said, looking back on his six-win season.
Entering this weekend's finale at Rockingham, Sharp's elder statesman Justin Lofton leads the way in the driver point standings by a scant 15 points over the second place driver Parker Kligerman. His rookie drivers Craig Goess and Tim George Jr. are also fighting over ground within the top 10 in the points, sitting fifth and 11th respectively.
"If Justin can win the title, it would be huge for the company as a whole. Based on Craig and Tim's experience in these types of cars, they are on par for where they should be. It's important that all three of them are in the top 10 in the owner's column. That means a lot to me.
"For Tim, it would be nice to see him break into the top 10 in driver points. The nice thing about that is they get a chance to go on stage at the ceremony and be recognized. It's still attainable."
While Lofton focuses on his marginal lead, George Jr. is mapping out a plan to chop off 75 points that are standing between him and a top 10 points finish.
All eyes however, will be on Lofton's No. 6 as he battles for his first stockcar championship. At 23, Lofton has amassed an impressive list of stats during his second year behind the wheel of a Sharp-backed machine. After 20 of the 21 races, Lofton has claimed five pole awards, six race wins, a series leading 14 top five and 18 top 10 finishes.
The consistency already clinched one championship for ESR, the Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge, awarded to Sharp and Lofton last week in Kansas following their second place effort. The Challenge consisted of nine events on tracks longer than one mile in length. Of those events, Lofton picked up wins in Talladega, Pocono, and Chicago.
"Any time you can win a championship of any sort, a championship within a championship, you can stamp your name next to it as an organization, it's a prestigious honor. Hoosier and ARCA have supported it for a long time and means a lot to me," Sharp said.
"But what means the most, is that we won it two years in a row, with two different drivers, two different teams and two different crew chiefs. That really shows the depths of Eddie Sharp Racing the company. That is what I am most proud of," Sharp added, citing his 2008 win with Scott Speed.
For Lofton, his driving championship would be the culmination of hard work not only for ESR, but personally for all involved, from car owner to crew chief, the No. 6 crew is hoping that the season's successes pay off in a big way.
First year crew chief Mark Rette joined ESR during the off season and proved early on to be the right addition, as he led Lofton to his first 2009 win just four races deep. From superspeedways to short tracks, Rette's made the right calls in tandem with his driver en route to their position atop the standings entering the season finale.
"Based on Mark's resume, I felt it was collective; the equipment and Mark and Justin's chemistry, Mark's experience at the higher levels, it should have worked. You put it on paper and this works. We assembled them in the eleventh hour knowing they should be able to hit the ground running. They all deserve their due," Sharp said.
As for Rette, he said the team's game plan is much of the same entering the finale, despite the pressures.
"The championship would mean the world to me. It would justify everything I've worked so hard for. You're away from your family and friends because you are working so hard to get to where you're at," he said.
"It's just another race We're going to do the same thing we've been doing all year. We're going to go there and sit on the pole, lead the most laps and win the race."
Lofton too, is trying the low key approach. Though he wants nothing more than to hoist the 2009 championship trophy, he knows that his season has already been a success.
"We really want this championship. It would mean so much to me, my crew chief Mark and Eddie. We've all worked so hard and had such a good season. There's nothing we can do when it comes down to race time. We can't control what Parker does or how people race us. We're going to race our race and go for the win. That's what we need to do to win this championship."
Sharp summarizes, "I think because of how the year has gone and the friendly competition that the 77 (of Kligerman) and ourselves have had, both of those kids are winners.
"Regardless of what happens on Sunday, it's been a wonderful year. We have a pretty good points lead on the owner's side. We have to finish 33rd or better to lock it up. I really, really want Justin to be the driving champion. But whatever happens, it's been an amazing season. I tell the guys all of the time, 'It's not the destination, it's the journey. You have to remember the ride.'"
For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, please visit www.TeamESR.com
