Brian Loftin Racing - A Year of Renewed Spirit

March 26, 2012 - PRLog -- It seems just like yesterday that I heard the tragic news, Melissa Rierson Loftin, wife of 2008 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion (NWSMT), Brian Loftin, had been killed in a head on car crash.  The news devastated the entire Modified and Bowman Gray Racing communities.  As Brian and the L&R Transmission/QMF Metal & Electronic Solutions team attempted to move forward in 2011 it seemed that like many of us life, including racing, became more of a roller coaster ride.   With the 2011 season now behind them, Brian and the team have a renewed energy, focus and determination for 2012.   Returning to victory lane and making a run at another Tour championship are the goals for 2012 but as with every season it will also be a memorial to Melissa.

On Wednesday, March 22, the all new Modified Madness radio show by Motor Racing Network (MRN) hosted by Kyle Rickey and guest host Randy Lajoie, welcomed Brian as one of their guests.  When asked about the 2012 season Brian replied “we have been working very hard at the shop and tested last Friday at Caraway”   Caraway Speedway just outside of Asheboro in Sophia, NC and will play host this Sunday to the first event of the NWSMT 2012 Season.  The speedway will host 4 out of the first 5 events for the NWSMT.  Caraway has been a track where Brian has great success; including 7 wins.   Brian answered the question on whether he had Caraway figured out by saying “I don’t know if we have the place figured out”, “we found a few things in testing and hope to make the right changes to return to the winners circle”.

A common topic between all three guest drivers was the recent rise in modified racing exposure including the big announcement from NASCAR of a new All Star event at Daytona in 2013.  The new two night event will be part of the annual February Speed Weeks and will be in conjunction with the NASCAR K&N East/West Series and the NASCAR Late Models.  Speculation of that race having television exposure will continue as the TV schedule for 2012 will be announced later this week.  Expecting to be covered in 2012 for the modifieds are races at Bristol and Loudon, NH.   Both of these races are on Brian Loftin Racing’s schedule for 2012.  Brian stated “I love the higher speed tracks, Loudon is a lot of fun and we plan on running there again.  We are really looking forward to running Rockingham this year as well” on the topic of Daytona Brian said “if you see how hard we race each other for a couple of thousand dollars, just see what kind of show we put on for the money they are talking about putting up”.  
One place that Brian and the team are not sure about running a full season is Historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem.  The MADHOUSE (as it is also known from the History Channel TV show of 2010) is “where my father ran modifieds and I grew up going to watch him”, Brian said “we might run a show or two there… depending on where sponsorship money takes us”.  

That is really the final piece to the 2012 season and beyond - new sponsors.  While long time team sponsors L&R Transmission and QMF Metal & Electronic Solutions will continue to be associate sponsors, a primary sponsor who believes in backing a winning and championship team could go a long way to solidifying Brian another championship.  Brian is ready to help promote short track modified racing to many new fans that are coming into the sport, and with an influx of new fans comes better sponsorship opportunities.   No matter what 2012 might bring the teams way, racing for the Memory of Melissa has truly brought a renewing of the entire teams spirit!  Now let’s go Racin!

For media, sponsorship or any other contact information for Brian Loftin Racing – email: nlmpromotions@gmail.com or call 336-926-3806  
Brian Loftin Racing can be found on Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/BrianLoftinRacing

A complete archived version of Modified Madness by Motor Racing Network can be found online at:  http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Media-Center/MRN-Show-A...

*The above article will appear in the April/May Issue of FootHills Times Magazine