Catchfence

Mooresville, N.C. (Aug. 4, 2010) – Eddie Sharp Racing will make their team debut into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) at Chicagoland Speedway on August 27 with veteran Steve Park behind the wheel.

In collaboration with Sharp Hartman Racing, ESR will make its entrance into the NASCAR ranks at the 1.5-mile track. Steve Park will pilot the No. 41 Bollegraaf Van Dyk Baler and Lubo USA ESR Toyota Tundra.

ESR, which has built one of the top ARCA Racing Series teams, including the 2009 Championship Team with driver Justin Lofton, began its journey into the NCWTS at the beginning of 2010. Team owner Sharp and Carl Hartman, friends for 20 years, began the truck team as an extension of ESR at the beginning of 2010.

The ESR No. 41 will stay in the Toyota family, much like the Toyota Camry vehicles in the ARCA Racing Series. “We are going to be staying in the Toyota Camp with the truck team,” said Sharp. “ESR has a long-standing relationship with Toyota, and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to extend the partnership into the NCWTS.”

Park, a veteran driver in all three NASCAR Series’, made his debut in the NCWTS in 1996. He has collected one win in the NCWTS in 2005 at Auto Club Speedway. He also has three wins, 15 top-fives and 29 top-10s in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Park has two wins, 12 top-fives and 35 top-10s while driving for various teams including Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Most recently, Park returned to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010, driving the No. 36 for Tommy Baldwin Racing in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. He finished in the 13th position.

“I couldn’t be happier to run with ESR in the truck series,” said Park. “I have been friends with Eddie Sharp for a long time, and I have such a respect for what Eddie has built. It is always fun to be around Eddie, and I know for a fact, with his reputation in the ARCA Racing Series, that the entrance into the truck series will bring success.”

Sharp, who opened the doors to ESR in 2005 looks forward to building a successful program at the next level. “To have a guy of Steve Park’s caliber driving in the seat for us in this outing makes this event extra special,” said team owner Eddie Sharp. “ESR is taking the next step moving into the NASCAR ranks, and we are working hard to build strong infrastructure for the organization. Park is a perfect fit for ESR’s premiere in the truck series. ”

Hartman echoes Sharp’s sentiments. “It’s going to be great to have Park in the car. I think he’s a great addition to our program. You can’t help but love his enthusiasm for the sport. I get excited just being around him. I look forward to working with him.”

Park will get behind the wheel of the No. 41 ESR Toyota on Friday, August 27, 2010 for the EnjoyIlliois.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. The green flag drops at 9 p.m. EST, and the race will be broadcast live on SPEED. Announcements are forthcoming for future races.

About Eddie Sharp Racing

Eddie Sharp set up shop in 2005 in Denver, N.C. 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 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.

- Eddie Sharp Racing / Activ8 Communications Press Release