 SALEM,
IN (September 19, 2009) -- With just two races remaining on the ARCA RE/MAX
Series schedule, it looks like the championship won't be determined until the
final event of the year once again as Justin Lofton and Parker Kligerman
continued their season-long battle at Salem Speedway Saturday night in the Kentuckiana
Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic.
When the 200-lap race was over, Lofton had claimed his sixth win of the
season regaining the points lead in the driver standings. For Kligerman, he
settled for a runner-up finish as the duo raced side-by side during the final
10 laps before Lofton emerged the winner.
It is reminiscent of last season when Justin Allgaier came into the final
race in third place in the standings. Allgaier not only went on to take the
win, the young driver also captured the series title when the top two drivers
entering the event took each other out of contention for the title with an
on-track altercation.
Saturday's race drew 29 qualifiers with Chris Buescher setting fast time on
the .555-mile oval. Buescher's time was 17.065 seconds (117.082 mph). Justin
Lofton was second fastest followed by Craig Goose, Joey Coulter and Parker
Kligerman.
The race was dominated by Justin Lofton and Joey Coulter who at one point
lapped the entire field. It wasn't until a late-race caution that Parker
Kligerman got his lap back via the Lucky Dog.
Coulter's night would end early, however, when he crashed into the turn four
wall 20 laps from the finish.
The accident left Lofton and Kligerman to battle it out for the win.
The last 10 laps had everyone on their feet as the two battled side-by-side
for the top spot.
Kligerman was using the inside lane, while Lofton took advantage of the
track's high line. While Kligerman could pull up even with Lofton, the inside
lane just did not allow him to carry enough momentum and get on the gas as
quickly as Lofton could using the outside line.
In the end, Lofton was able to nip Kligerman at the finish line by just .128
seconds.
Dakota Armstrong, the only other driver to finish the race on the lead lap,
finished in third place after starting ninth.
Frank Kimmel finished in fourth place followed by Canada's Steve Arpin.
In all, Lofton led three times for 161 laps, while Coulter led twice for 39
laps.
The competitors did well within the confines of the .555-mile track with the
race being slowed for cautions five times for a total of 28 laps.
With the win, Lofton takes a slim 25 point lead over Parker Kligerman as the
series heads next to Kansas Speedway before finishing their season at historic
Rockingham Speedway.
The race at Kansas Speedway will be Thursday night, October 1, and will be
carried LIVE on SPEED at 5:00 PM (ET).
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. is proud to be the exclusive tire provider for
such an exciting and diverse series as the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX Series visit www.arcaracing.com.
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