Three Flat Tires Slow Lofton’s Charge in Michigan

Justin Lofton and the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com team were left scratching their heads following the VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. Three flat tires interrupted their run, leaving the Eddie Sharp Racing team 15th at the finish.

“We’re not sure what was causing the tires to go flat on the left front. We had some issues with the right side, too. We got some contact late there and it felt like something broke, but the guys didn’t find anything right off. We were in a good position, but its racing and these things happen. We’ll take 15th and head to Bristol,” Lofton said.

The team’s first glimpse at their troubles fell less than a dozen laps into the race. After taking the green flag from the 22nd position, Lofton’s charge was slowed after just eight laps when the first yellow flag of the race waved. Lofton made his first pit stop of the day, with the team adding a round to the left rear to help the handling of his Toyota. As the field drove to the restart, Lofton noticed the feel of his CollegeComplete.com entry was off, and dropped down pit road again. The team swapped out tires and sent him on his way. Lofton rejoined the race one lap down.

Three laps later, the caution flew yet again. The timely yellow allowed Lofton to promptly reclaim his one lap deficit, by receiving the free pass.

The middle portion of the race ran caution free, allowing the field to make green flag pit stops. During the exchange, Lofton drove the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com entry to the lead on lap 49. The following lap, he dropped down pit road for his pit stop.

With 25 laps remaining, the field had started the following round of pit stops under green flag conditions, before the yellow flag waved. Lofton pulled to pit road for right side tires and fuel. The call by crew chief Dan Bormann put Lofton in the fifth position for the restart.

The final charge to the checkered flag however caused a few hurdles for the team. A multi-truck wreck broke out on lap 91, and despite valiant efforts to avoid the melee, Lofton suffered some right side damage. Lofton and team assessed the damage and all appeared to be okay until lap 95. While the field charged to the restart, Lofton pulled down pit road after noticing a flat front tire.

One lap later, he made another pit stop in order for the team to service the right side of the truck. Despite Lofton noting that the right front felt as though something was broken, he was determined to finish the event. With a green-white-checkered flag finish the determining factor of the race, Lofton took the final restart from the 16th spot. Despite a battered truck and a mysterious handling ailment, Lofton picked up a position at the finish, crossing the line in 15th.

Justin Lofton PR