Thursday

Team ESR Pocono pre-race notes package

Eddie Sharp Racing Logo

Event: Pennsylvania ARCA 200 – 200 miles / 80 laps

Track: Pocono Raceway

Track length: 2.5-mile triangle

Coverage: SPEED live television coverage, ARCARacing.com live audiocast, 1 P.M. EST

Worth another mention

Justin Lofton dominated last weekend’s race in Berlin by first pacing practice, laying down a new track record in qualifying, and setting the pace in the No. 6 Toyota for 171 of the race’s extended 207 laps. It was Lofton’s second race win of the season and third overall. He chopped 50 points off of Parker Kligerman’s points lead with the win and enters Pocono just 100 markers behind in second. Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 team car, also had a good run in Berlin within the top 10, finishing seventh.

Tricky triangle

Known as the tricky triangle, Pocono’s unique three-cornered racetrack is different than any other on the 21-race schedule. During the first visit to Pocono in June, Eddie Sharp Racing seemed to have a handle on the challenging track as Justin Lofton led 18 laps and finished runner-up. Rookie Craig Goess put on a solid display during his first visit, finishing eighth despite struggling with shock problems and Tim George, Jr., ESR’s third full-time driver, finished 19th.

Temporary fill-in

Kevin Belmont will be behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota this weekend in order to maintain ESR’s position in the owner standings. The seat is open to the next young talent looking to advance their career behind the wheel of a stock car.

What they’re saying

Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Toyota

“To me it’s easier to go to a short track to a big track. I love that feeling, when you are running 190 mph into the corner. When you go from that down to a short track and drop to 75 through a turn, it’s not as fun. I liked Pocono the first time around. I thought it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the amount of practice going to a new place that we needed. The guys made some changes before the race but we had a shock problem. We felt like we had a top five car. We all feel like we are going with a better car this time around and of course now I have more time in the seat.”

Justin Lofton, driver of the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota

“Pocono is very different than a lot of the other tracks that we race on. I’d love to get a win there. We have the momentum after the weekend that we had at Berlin, the guys are pumped, and we have a good car.”

Tim George Jr., driver of the No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota

“Pocono is a tricky track. Every driver that I talk to about it says the reason why it’s so tough is that all three corners are different. I found this to be the truth when I raced on it for the first time earlier this season. I had the most trouble with turn three last time, and this time I plan to focus on setting the car up for that.”

There he Goess

Race fans can meet Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 Toyota, on Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. at the Bacardi Bistro located in the infield.

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