Lebanon, Tenn. – Eddie Sharp Racing’s Justin Lofton scored another top 5 this weekend in the Toyota 150 at Nashville Superspeedway. Following an early and unscheduled pit stop, the SunTrust Rookie of the Year candidate hammered his way from the back of the pack to an impressive fifth place finish.
“Everyone on the No. 20 Lofton Cattle team was on top of their game today,” said Lofton. “We had a great qualifying effort after our Friday practice. The team put an awesome set up under the car and did a great job this weekend.”
Lofton started the 150-mile event in the sixth position. With concerns that a tire was going down on the Lofton Cattle Dodge, Lofton made an early pit stop under caution on lap 15. While in the pits, the team made a track bar adjustment to aid in the car’s slightly tight handling. Lofton restarted on the lead lap but very deep in the field and went to work immediately to make up for the unscheduled stop. Six laps later, Lofton was already up to the 26th position and climbing.
The team pitted with the leaders for a final stop on lap 55, again for tires, fuel, and another track bar adjustment. The car’s handling was much improved and Lofton drove into the top 10 by lap 68. Lofton passed competitors like a seasoned veteran and, in the final laps of the race, drove to a fifth-place finish.
“During the first pit stop Wayne and my guys did a great job at adjusting the car,” commented Lofton. “As I was coming up through the field I was very glad they didn’t loosen me up too much. Nashville is an awesome track. I had a lot of fun today; I just wish we could have brought home the guitar. All in all it was a great weekend for us and we will move on to Springfield and let it rip in the dirt!”
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