From an early age, Craig Goess has had the passion for racing and the desire to win.
Born in Woodbury, New Jersey, in 1981, Goess took to the track at age 10 driving two-stroke four wheelers at a local level. After six years of competitive racing it was time to move into the INEX-sanctioned Legends Car realm. In 1998, Goess raced the last half of the season, netting him four victories in the Semi-Pro Division.
For the next 10 years, Craig Goess was a name everyone knew and feared at the track. With a 98-percent win ratio and Legends Car feature wins at over 24 tracks across the country in the Semi-Pro and Pro divisions, some of the best drivers in the country feared the #81 Legends Car when it entered the track. His success over the years also netted him three National Pro Division Championships while beating some of today’s top NASCAR stars like Reed Sorenson, Kyle Busch and David Ragan.
In his final Legends Car race of 2007, Goess won the invitation-only PRI Invitational event at Orlando Speedworld (FL), beating some of the best Legends Car racers in the country.
Feeling he had accomplished every goal he could in the Legends Car, especially after winning 40 of the 48 races he entered from 2005 to 2007, Goess started looking towards the next level.
In 2008, Goess moved to full-sized race cars, running the #2 Greenville Toyota / ESR Development Toyota in the 2008 NASCAR Camping World East Series season under the Eddie Sharp Racing banner. Although a rookie in the series, Goess was able to pull off a season-finishing 16th in the point standings, walking away with two top 10’s, which included a top-five finish at Mansfield Motorsports Park in Mansfield, Ohio.
Goess’ 2009 race season consists of a full season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series while continuing to race for Eddie Sharp Racing.
CRAIG GOESS BY THE YEAR
1991 - 1997
> Raced two-stroke four wheelers at a local level
1998
> Raced two-stroke four wheelers at a local level
1999 - 2000
> Raced full seasons in Legends Semi-Pro Division
> Collected 51 feature wins
> 1999 Dixie Kroger Legends Shootout Champion at Lanier National Speedway
> 2000 North Carolina State Semi-Pro Champion
2001
> Moved to Legends Pro Division
> Collected 26 feature wins
> Won Pro National Championship
2002
> Won 28 feature wins
> Won Pro National Championship, second consecutive year
> Only finished outside top 10 once in 118 starts up to the end of 2002
2003
> Collected 31 feature wins
> Won Pro National Championship, third consecutive year (no other driver has achieved)
> Pro division Asphalt National Champion (Southern National Speedway - Kenly, NC)
> Winter Nationals Champion, undefeated all week with a perfect score (never done before) at Desoto Speedway, Bradenton, Florida
> Only driver to obtain Triple Crown
2004
> Raced a limited schedule
> Collected 22 feature wins
2005
> Raced a limited schedule
> Collected 18 wins in 21 starts
2006
> Raced a limited schedule
> Collected 15 wins in 18 starts
> Winternationals Pro Champion at Orlando Speedworld (FL)
> Completed two-day advanced-training course at Buck Baker School at Rockingham Speedway (NC)
2007
> Raced a limited schedule
> Collected 7 wins in 9 starts
> Completed Fast Track asvanced two-day driving school at Lowe's Motor Speedway (NC)
> Tested ARCA car at South Boston Speedway (VA) for Andy Hillenberg on 9-27-07
> Won PRI Invitational at Orlando Speedworld
2008
> Moved up to NASCAR Camping World East Series, driving for Eddie Sharp Racing
> Acquired one top-five and two top-10 finishes
> Finished 16th in the points standings, despite missing one race
OTHER CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FACTS
> Legends feature wins at 24 tracks across the country
> Legends Car and racing suit permanently displayed at Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant in Concord, North Carolina
> Works in sales at a family automotive dealership
Craig Goess Biography
Who is Craig Goess?
