Soon baby to be on board

NEWTON - A big year promises to be even bigger for Timothy Peters.

The NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series title contender expects to be changing diapers instead of tires and pushing a stroller in place of his Red Horse Racing ride.

Peters entered last night's NCWTS American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway atop the series season points standing and as a father-to-be. His wife, Sara, is expecting the couple's first baby by the end of the year.

“We've definitely been blessed for the way we're running, and my wife and I expecting our first child in December,” said Peters, 31. “Life is good. It's definitely going to change here in a couple months.”

The child is expected Dec. 17, and Peters drives the No. 17 Toyota Tundra.

“I keep telling my wife ‘I hope you hold up your end of the bargain. You can't be a day early or a day late,'” Peters said with a laugh. “If we have it at 12 a.m. on the 17th, that would be good, too.”

The couple will find out the baby's gender Wednesday. He expects the doctor appointments to start rolling in after that one. He has received plenty of advice, including “dos and don'ts” of parenthood.

Which is a wilder ride - racing trucks or fatherhood?

“If it was multiple choice, I'd say all of the above,” Peters said.

Peters placed fifth in points last season, his best finish in the series. He's won three races but none this season heading into last night.

Adding a title before an addition to the family would make a great year, according to Peters.

“A championship would be good,” Peters said. “Right now, we've got momentum the way we're finishing week in and week out. We need to get a win to seal this championship up toward the end of the year.”

New look Lofton

Justin Lofton has a new look for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 200 this weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Lofton, who led the points standings for three weeks fell into a tie for second after the latest race (June 28) at Kentucky Speedway, obtained a new sponsor. The new partnership with an familiar group came with a new paint job, trading black, white and yellow with blue.

“We couldn't be happier to have J.D. Heiskell and Company on board the No. 6 Chevrolet this week in Iowa,” Lofton said. “They have been a supplier to our family business (Lofton Cattle) for many years. There is no better place to display J.D. Heiskell than right in the heartland of America.”

Lofton qualified third for the race. Timothy Peters, the season points leader by four points over Lofton and rookie Ty Dillon before Saturday night's race, earned the pole with Nelson Piquet Jr, joining him on the front row.

Qualifying notes

Timothy Peters, who came to Iowa Speedway with the season points lead, earned the pole with a lap of 23.126 seconds, which equates to 136.210 miles per hour. This was his fifth career pole in 127 NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series starts, but his first pole of the 2012 season and in four starts at Iowa Speedway.

Nelson Piquet Jr. was second, posting his sixth top-10 start this season and second in two starts at Iowa Speedway.

Justin Lofton earned his second top-10 start at Iowa Speedway. It is his sixth in nine races in 2012.

Cale Gale was sixth in qualifying. He was the highest qualifying rookie.