| FFA Nation

NASCAR truck driver has roots in FFA and agriculture

12/29/2010 |

Justin Lofton sees a lot of similarities between production agriculture and auto-racing. Both require specific technical skills, a willingness to work hard and a go-getter attitude. Lofton, who just completed his rookie season in the NASCAR truck series, knows all about both.

He grew up on his parents’ beef cattle ranch in California, learning about agriculture firsthand. Lofton also took animal science classes in his high school and was an active member of the Brawley FFA Chapter. But in his spare time, he pursued his dream of racing in the NASCAR series.

Q: How did you get started in racing?

A: I raced mountain bikes and BMX until I was 16. Then I bought a hill-climb car and did some races in Colorado, including Pikes Peak. I also got into desert racing, and then eventually, into late model cars and now truck racing. It’s been a seven-year process to get where I am now.

Q: How do you think FFA has influenced your racing career?

A: It’s done a lot. First, I believe that what FFA stands for is really solid. Leadership skills – that’s what you are as the driver. You have to keep team morale up and make good decisions for the racing team. Public speaking is also obviously a big deal for NASCAR drivers, since we do a lot of interviews.

Q: What type of work did you do on your family’s ranch?

A: I did pretty much every job my dad wanted me to, which often meant checking cattle or clearing land to build pens. Right after high school, my dad and I opened a mineral mixing plant, so I spent a lot of time working in that business, too. I think working together on the ranch created a close bond between me and my dad. Now, he flies to every one of my races,all the way from California.

Q: Was FFA a positive experience for you?

A: I’m so glad I did FFA and really happy that my mom encouraged and pushed me to join. Even though I was an active member in my chapter, I never attended the national FFA convention until 2010 – as a part of the Toyota booth in the career show. I did get to meet up with my FFA advisor, Michelle Taylor, for dinner, so that was a nice walk down memory lane.

Q: What advice do you have for FFA members who have big dreams, like you did?

A: My biggest advice is to work hard. Have good work ethic and take chances. I had to move 3,000 miles away from home to pursue my NASCAR dream. I was 21 years old and didn’t have a job waiting for me, but I knew that racing was my passion, and I needed to chase it. I’m a firm believer that big risks equal big rewards.