(CHARLOTTE, N.C. - July 19, 2012) - Matt Lofton and the No. 16 Strutmasters/Coulter Motorsports Chevrolet team head to Joliet, Ill. this weekend with momentum for the Ansell ActivArmr 150 at Chicagoland Speedway.

While Chicagoland's tenacity may frighten some, Lofton's prior ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards experience at the 1.5-mile tri-oval speedway has him prepared for fast action racing. In one previous start, Lofton qualified ninth in 2011 and was running well into the top-10 before a late race cut tire took him from contention. Last year's ill fortune won't hold Lofton back, as the Roxboro, N.C. native plans to pick up right where he left off.

Entering the season's 12th event, Coulter Motorsports crew chief Jon Wolfe has prepared chassis No. 018 for Saturday afternoon's race. Chassis No. 018 has become one of Lofton's favorite Chevrolets, having last run at Michigan International Speedway in June. The 2012 Team Messina Rookie Challenge contender earned a solid top-five finish of third. Lofton looks to take the momentum gained from last week's top-10 finish at Iowa Speedway and translate it to a strong showing in the Ansell ActivArmr 150.

"Chicagoland Speedway is one of those great facilities that we have the privilege to compete at," said Lofton. "The track is unique in that it races almost like a true circle and it produces some great speeds. I look forward to hitting the track with my Coulter Motorsports-prepared Chevy, as I know my guys have been working their tails off."

Lofton's Chicagoland Speedway racing activity begins Friday evening with practice from 7-9 p.m. Saturday's activities kick off at 10:30 a.m. with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell, followed by the green flag over the ARCA Racing Series at 5 p.m. All times listed are Eastern, one horu ahead of Chicagoland Speedway and Central Daylight Time.

ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all on-track events, and SPEED will air the race live at 5 p.m.

From Team Release