 ROCKINGHAM,
NC (October 11, 2009) -- That pretty much sums up the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series
season. Like last year, the championship came down to the final race of the
season. In fact, it came down to the final lap of the American 200 at
Rockingham Speedway on Sunday.
Parker Kligerman came into the final race of the season trailing Justin
Lofton (photo) by 25 points. Kligerman's goal was to lead the most laps and win
the race to have any chance at the title. Kligerman did just that. But Lofton's
third place finish proved just enough to claim the championship by five
points over Kligerman.
Forty-six cars were entered for Sunday's 200-lap race with 42 cars posting
times in qualifying.
Chad Finley set fast time among the qualifiers. Finley circled the historic
1-mile oval in 24.494 seconds (146.975 mph). Justin Lofton was second fastest
followed by Casey Roderick, Parker Kligerman and Steve Arpin.
Lofton's qualifying effort also earned him an additional 10 points and would
be instrumental in securing the series title. Lofton, however, would start the
race from the rear of the field after changing engines after qualifying.
Before the first lap was complete, Kligerman jumped into the race lead,
while Lofton passed no less than 10 cars in the first lap of the race. The
battle was on!
The race unfolded with Kligerman falling back a few spots in the field while
Lofton was passing about a car a lap. Then, late in the race Lofton had battled
his way into the third position with Kligerman again back out front.
Kligerman looked to have the race well in hand but the question was whether
Lofton could finish high enough to retain the series points lead and claim the
series championship.
With Kligerman looking to be on his way to the win, Lofton would have to
finish third or better to capture the title. He was in third entering the final
lap of the race when he tried to get by Casey Roderick for second.
Lofton made the move to the inside of Roderick but lost traction sliding
into Roderick and almost spinning out. With the crowd on hand holding its
collective breath, Lofton lifted off the gas to regain control of his car.
The momentary bobble allowed Kenny Schrader to move within striking distance
of third place which would have Kligerman and Lofton finishing the season in a
tie with the tie-breaker going to Parker Kligerman who had a better average
finish over the course of the 21-race season.
Schrader's bid to nip Lofton, not only of third, but also of the series
championship came up just a bit shy at the finish line.
Kligerman took the win by 2.557 second over Casey Roderick who was making
his first career start in the series. Roderick was driving for Bill Elliott who
was on hand atop the team's hauler. For Kligerman, it was his ninth win of the
season.
Justin Lofton finished in third place followed closely by Kenny Schrader in
fourth and Clay Rogers in fifth.
The 200-lap race had just five caution periods for 35 laps.
The race featured an amazing 15 leaders among eight different drivers to cap
off another exciting ARCA RE/MAX Series season.
Leaders during the even included; Parker Kligerman 1-2, 137-200 (66 laps).
Chad Finley 3-44 (42 laps), Steve Arpin 45-48, 78-91, 93, 119 (20 laps), Dakoda
Armstrong 49-58, 73-77 (15 laps), Grant Enfinger 59-72 (14 laps), Frank Kimmel
92, 94-118 (26 laps) Casey Roderick 120-122, 126-136 (14 laps) and James
Buescher 123-125 (3 laps).
Unofficially, Justin Lofton claims the series title with 5715 points
followed by Parker Kligerman with 5710 points.
Frank Kimmel finished the season in third place with Joey Coulter and Craig
Goess rounding out the top five in the standings.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series and the 41 starters should be extremely proud of the
spectacular show they put on for everyone at Rockingham Speedway.
If you are a racing fan, this season, this race, and that final lap will be
one that is not soon forgotten.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. is very proud to be the exclusive tire provider
for the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX Series visit www.arcaracing.com.
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