Lofton joins Germain Racing for 2011 Truck Series season

(January 7, 2010) - After a solid rookie season in 2010, 24-year-old Justin Lofton will join Germain Racing for his sophomore effort in 2011, racing a Germain-entered No. 77 Toyota Tundra full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“I am very excited to be teaming up with Germain Racing. Fresh off of their 2010 championship, it was clear to me that Germain was the best place for me,” Lofton said.

“Todd (Bodine) served as a mentor to me through my rookie season and really helped me learn the ropes of the Camping World Truck Series. To have him, Max (Papis) and Brendan (Gaughan) as teammates, I am really excited about the upcoming season.”

Lofton, who hails from Southern California, earned the 2009 ARCA Racing Series championship after winning six of the 21 races. He moved full time to NASCAR last year, notching four top-five and eight top-10 finishes with a best finish of third, giving him a solid 12th place finish in the driver point standings. 

“I’m really excited about having Justin as a teammate at Germain Racing as we’ve become friends over the last season. He’s a real good kid and I think he’s got real potential as a race car driver,” said Bodine, who thinks Lofton will play a key role in the expansion of Germain Racing’s Tundra fleet. “I’m looking forward to Justin’s input and seeing him grow as a driver.”

Germain Racing entered truck competition in 2004 and has since accumulated 22 race victories, nine pole awards and two division championships. Germain Racing earned Toyota’s first Truck Series title in 2006, repeated the feat in 2010, earning the No. 30 Tundra team the nod as the most dominant Tundra team in active competition.

“Germain Racing takes a lot of pride in the championships we’ve won for Toyota and our record of having the leading Tundra team. We’ve gotten to where we are having a team that’s been a blend of youthful ambition and veteran skills. Adding Justin Lofton to our Tundra lineup gives our Truck Series program a fresh, young driver who can bring Germain Racing more wins and more championships for many years to come,” said general manager Mike Hillman Sr.

At 24, Lofton will be the youngest driver in the Germain Racing stable.

“I wish the season started sooner because I am very excited to go racing with the Germain team. They have established themselves as the team to beat in the Truck Series,” Lofton added.

Lofton’s crew chief will be announced at a later date.