All roads in the ARCA/REMAX 2009 season have been leading to a venerable old track nestled in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

And that road is getting pretty short, as the series pulls into the Rockingham Speedway to crown a champion at the American 200 on Oct. 11.

"This place knows a thing or two about crowning champions," said Andy Hillenberg, Rockingham Speedway President and 1995 ARCA/REMAX Series Champion . "This year's championship battle is shaping up to be a shootout and it looks like anyone looking to hoist the trophy is going to have to tame Rockingham to do it."

Currently, points leader Justin Lofton holds a 55-point lead over second-place Parker Kligerman, with nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel, Joey Coulter, Craig Goess, Brian Silas and Patrick Sheltra all within striking distance with five races before the finale.

Lofton is glad to be returning to Rockingham, hopefully looking to protect a points lead.

"When I first heard we were going to Rockingham last year I was more than excited," said Lofton. "Pulling into Rockingham Speedway was like taking a step back into the past. I just took one look at the track and I knew it was my type of track. It (the run at Rockingham) was what I needed to convince (car owner) Eddie (Sharp) and my Dad that I should run the rest of the '08 season."

For Goess and his race team, finishing the 2009 season at Rockingham is important for several reasons.

"It's definitely nice because Rockingham is the only race that we go to that is in the same state that I live in so all of the guys at Greenville Toyota and a lot of my friends and family can come out and support me for that race," said Goess.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series has raced at Rockingham on three previous occasions, with Charlie Glotzbach winning the inaugural event in 1973, current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Joey Logano winning in his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series start in May 2008 and Sean Caisse winning in April 2009.

For more information about the ARCA/REMAX American 200 or the accompanying USARacing Aaron's 150 October 9-11 or to order tickets, contact the Rocking-ham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit the Web site at www.rock inghamspeedway.com. Tickets begin at $20 for single-day reserved seating with $5 back-to-school pricing for students. Week-end and pit passes are available.