When asked why he purchased a second Trophy Truck, Robbie Pierce, owner of MasterCraft said, "I don't really know why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time!  It all started after a great day of pre-running this year's Baja 500 course and sharing a few margaritas with some old friends while staying at Mike's Sky Ranch.  Ordering the final rounds of drinks before the generator shut off for the night, Mike Julson of Jimco and Robbie began discussing the purchase of a custom-built pre-runner.  After some less than conventional negotiations, a crisp hundred dollar bill was handed to Julson for the commencement of the new desert truck, and so the story begins.....

Returning from the Baja 500, numerous subsequent discussions took place regarding the build of the pre-runner when a change of circumstances for the Lofton No. 20 Trophy Truck team would provide Pierce with the opportunity to purchase their truck. "If I am going to have an expensive pre-runner, why don't I have a Trophy Truck as a back-up instead?

Bob Lofton, owner of the No. 20 Trophy Truck, realized he had a bitter-sweet decision to make when his son, Justin Lofton, was selected as the driver for the second car added to the CJM Racing Team in the ARCA Re/Max Series earlier in July.  The incredible opportunity Justin was presented with provided a platform for a truly successful racing career and was just too good to pass up.  While both Bob and Justin Lofton are avid desert racing enthusiasts, it was clear they would need to sell the No. 20 Jimco Trophy Truck so they could focus their time and efforts on Justin's potentially high-profile NASCAR career.

With just four races under its belt and the fact it was a matching Jimco chassis to the No. 35, the Lofton truck was an obvious choice to add to the MasterCraft line-up.  Purchasing the original Jimco Trophy Truck chassis and currently campaigning it under the No. 35 in the SCORE International Series, Robbie Pierce said, "I have almost driven all the Jimco trucks and now I guess I own the first two!  I have also been honored with sharing the driving duties for the Vegas to Reno race with Wil Staats in the No. 42 Trophy Truck, which also happens to be the third Jimco truck produced."

Future plans for the two truck MasterCraft team have not been finalized for the 2010 race season, however, the immediate plan is for Mike Julson to debut the No. 20 at the SCORE International Primm 300 and finish out the year with the legendary Baja 1000.  "I am very excited to be a part of the MasterCraft two truck team and finish what we started at this year's Baja 500.  Unfortunately, I lost out on a truck sale but I think Robbie will still want that pre-runner so I am not returning his hundred dollar bill!" commented Mike Julson.

MasterCraft Racing