Justin Lofton has decided to scale back his NASCAR schedule in 2013, instead focusing his title aspirations towards the newly-formed Stadium Super Trucks Series organized by Robby Gordon. Before moving to NASCAR, Lofton fancied a career in off-road racing.
His background and long-time friendship with Gordon helped the Stadium Truck deal come together pretty quickly. “This is going to be cool,” Lofton told SB Nation over the phone on Friday. “I’ve known Robby Gordon for a long time and this is something he’s wanted to do as long as I’ve known him. We grew up doing this and it’s something I have a passion for.”
The Stadium Super Truck Series is 10-race rally-style series that will contest events on temporary circuits constructed on some of the largest stadium venues in the United States. Rallies will be contested at University of Phoenix Stadium, Soldier Field, Cowboys Stadium and the Metro Dome just to name a few. The series is aided by a tape-delay national television package between NBC and the NBC Sports Network. Lofton cited the lack of sponsorship and funding as the primary reasons he couldn’t return full-time in 2013 but believes success in off-road can catapult him back towards NASCAR.
“I want to be seen as the NASCAR driver who went over to the Stadium Truck Series and found some success,” Lofton said. “Hopefully some of my NASCAR fans will follow me on this new venture and I’ll take some rally fans with me when I come back to NASCAR.” Lofton hasn’t finalized his 2013 NASCAR schedule yet but expects to run at least 10 Truck Series races on tracks longer than a mile. (SB Nation)
