Green Flag Pit Stop slows down Lofton in Iowa

Justin Lofton and the No.20 J.D. Heiskell & Co. Chevrolet team had a hard fought day at Iowa Speedway in the sixth annual American Ethanol 200. A late race green flag pit stop forces them to a 20th place finish. 

 

After turning 27 laps Lofton posted the seventh quickest time in Friday’s opening practice session with a fast time of 23.153 at 136.051 miles per hour. Final practice would be canceled due to weather moving through the area. 

 

With only one practice session, Lofton and crew chief Jeff Hensley worked out a game plan before Keystone Light Knockout Qualifying. With a fast time of 23.152 Lofton posted the seventh fastest time in the final round of qualifying. 

 

When the green flag dropped for the sixth annual American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway, Lofton started working to figure out where his No.20 J.D. Heiskell and Company Chevrolet worked best with the different tire compounds on the racing surface from the Indy Car series. At lap 20, Lofton was running just outside the top-5 in sixth. The first caution flag flew at lap 40, Lofton pitted for 4 tires, fuel, and a track bar adjustment and pulled off pit road 10th. 

 

The green flag was once again displayed at lap 46. The second caution flag flew at lap 56 for a spin off turn two, crew chief Jeff Hensley told Lofton to stay out. The green flag flew again at lap 60 before an almost immediate caution at lap 62 Lofton pitted for four tire and fuel. The green flag flew once again at lap 67 with Lofton running in 18th. 

 

By lap 94, Lofton had started working his way back towards the front running just inside the top-15. Just after halfway Lofton radioed saying the truck isn’t to bad just a little on the tight side from the center to exit on both ends of the racetrack. The fourth caution flag of the evening flew at lap 127 for a spin on the frontstretch. Lofton pitted for four tires and fuel. The green flag flew for the final time with 70 laps remaining and Justin Lofton in 14th. 

 

Lofton running still inside the top-15 in the closing of the 6th annual American Ethanol 200 had to make an unscheduled green flag pit stop forcing the team to lose valuable track position. Justin Lofton brought the No.20 J.D. Heiskell and Company Chevrolet home with a 20th place finish. 

 

The next event for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be Wednesday, July 23rd at Eldora Speedway. Gray Gaulding will be back in the No.20 Gemini Southern Chevrolet.

 

From the Driver’s Seat with Justin Lofton:

“We had a rough night in the No.20 J.D. Heiskell and Co. Silverado. We fought as hard as we could but in the end e were using up our right front tire to quickly. Want to thank Randy, Aaron, Ryan and all the employees and customers for all their support throughout the years and look forward to having them on board again soon.”

 

From the Box with Crew Chief Jeff Hensley: 

“It was an up and down weekend for us. Lofton did a great job driving the truck above and beyond what was given to him. Things didn’t pan out the way we needed them to but that’s part of racing.”

 

NTS Motorsports PR