When: September 13, 2009
Event:The South Jersey Building Trades 150 – 150 miles, 67 laps
Track: New Jersey Motorsports Park
Track length: 2.25-mile paved road course
Where they stand: With 17 of the 21 races complete, Lofton maintains the lead in the driver point standings by 35 markers. Goess slipped to sixth following DuQuoin and George Jr. is just outside of the top 10, in 11th. With 84 different teams attempting a run at ARCA competition this season, all three ESR entries hold a strong position within the top 10 in the owner point standings. Lofton’s No. 6 team holds the top position with the team cars, the 81 driven by Goess and the 2 driven George Jr., in seventh and 10th.
Hit the road: This weekend’s run at NJMP marks the one and only visit to a road course for the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Last season, Lofton made his debut at the 2.25-mile track, qualifying a solid fourth before mechanical woes just two laps in ruined his run. Teammates, rookies Goess and George Jr. tested the track last month following the Pocono race.
George Jr. not a rookie on NJMP road course: Though he’s a rookie in ARCA competition, George Jr. knows his way around the New Jersey road course. With a background in road racing, he ran at the Jersey track in 2008 while in the Grand-Am Rolex GT Series, and he took home the win along with then teammate Andy Lally.
Meet the ESR drivers: Fans attending the New Jersey event can meet the Team ESR drivers before the start of the 150-miler. Fans will have a half hour before the race to mingle with the racers on pitroad. Get an autograph, take a photo and wish them luck!
What they’re saying:
Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Toyota
“I plan on just being smart; not run off course and try not to flat spot any tires, not be overaggressive and wind up with a decent finish. I have hardly no experience on the course. Patrick Donahue (crew chief) and many the guys say that I need to try to be patient and don’t drive over my head and I should have a decent run.”
Justin Lofton, driver of the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota
“Road racing is different from a track standpoint but the same overall strategy applies. You need to use your head. You can’t overdrive the track. You need to be patient and make smart moves. If we can do that, it should be a good day.”
Tim George Jr., driver of the No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota
“We tested at NJMP with ESR, and the track is significantly different this year. The curbs are a lot friendlier, and there is a lot less dust. They fixed the safety issues with the pit lane entry as well. Hopefully we can all keep the track clean, and have some good practice at the end of this week.”
For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, please visit www.TeamESR.com
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.
- Activ8 Communications Press Release