Craig Goess Continues Week of Firsts; Nabs First ARCA Racing Series Pole at Michigan

Brooklyn, Mich. (June 10, 2010) - Coming off his first ARCA Racing Series victory Saturday at Pocono Raceway, Craig Goess continued his success Thursday by earning the pole position for the Racing For Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway.

In the No. 81 Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota of Greenville N.C., Goess laid down a quick lap of 38.49 seconds (187.062 mph), turning the 2-mile track quickest of 42 drivers.

"We knew we had a pretty fast car when we tested in May, and we were toward the top of the board all day today," said Goess.

Goess also topped the boards during practice Thursday morning, with a time of 39.010 seconds (184.568 mph).

In six days, Goess earned his first win at Pocono Saturday, topped the charts in practice Thursday morning and won his first pole award Thursday afternoon.

"The first pole is awesome, especially after the win we had last week." Goess explained. "We are at a big track with the companion race here this weekend, which is fun to have so many eyes on us. I really look forward to tomorrow."

The team tested at MIS in May, and Goess showed his quickness when he topped the morning session of the ARCA Racing Series open test, and finished third quickest overall.

Goess' ESR teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. also had a successful day. Piquet, starting in his third ARCA Racing Series event, turned the Michigan oval in 39.041 seconds (184.422 mph). The Brazilian driver will begin the race in the fifth position in the No. 6 Qualcomm-ESR Development Toyota

The green flag will drop Friday at 5:15 p.m. on the Racing For Wildlife 200. The race will be broadcast live on SPEED beginning at 5 p.m., with live radio coverage on the BAS Racing Network, streaming live on ARCARacing.com.

About Eddie Sharp Racing

Eddie Sharp set up shop in 2005 in Denver, N.C. after several years of transforming young, talented drivers into ARCA championship contenders. Today, Eddie Sharp Racing has evolved into the rite of passage for any serious upcoming driver with an ambition for professional stock car racing. Located in Denver, North Carolina just north of Charlotte, Eddie Sharp Racing occupies a top-notch facility that closely resembles a five-star NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, both inside and out. The two ESR buildings contain two teams where on any given day, championship contending cars are assembled, engines tuned and teams strategize to score the next race day victory.