Bothell's Gary Lewis, who narrowly missed earning a full-time ride with Jack Roush Racing last winter, is in prime contention for another major-league job.
Lewis, the hottest driver on regional NASCAR short tracks, auditioned this week in South Carolina for one of two openings with Team Rensi, a race outfit based in Charlotte, N.C.
Team Rensi is looking for someone to fill the seat for its full-time NASCAR Busch Grand National team and its second Craftsman Truck Series team next season.
``The testing went extremely well,'' Lewis said. ``I got along with the team very well, communicated with the crew chief very well and beat out the other guys pretty good on the track as far as times and consistency go.
``It's definitely not a done deal, but it's real positive."
Lewis captured his fourth NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series win of the season at Twin Falls, Idaho, last Saturday. He then flew to South Carolina on Monday to turn laps in Kenny Wallace's BGN Chevrolet around Greenville Pickens Speedway's half-mile oval.
Lewis says he would be interested in either job. The BGN team will be committed to running a full-time slate next season, with Wallace running on a part-time basis. The truck ride would be Team Renis'second entry next season, joining Randy Tolsma who will replace Jimmy Hensley in the crew's No. 16 Chevrolet.
Having made a good first impression, Lewis expects to get the call for a second-round test session at the new Kentucky Speedway. A third and final test session is scheduled for Atlanta Motor Speedway.
``I got a real good feeling,'' he said of the experience. ``It couldn't have gone any better.''
Things have been getting better for Lewis on the track this season.
Lewis, who drives The Sign Factory Pontiac, has collected a series-leading four races, $33,776 and five consecutive pole positions on tour. In doing so, he has narrowed the chase for his second series title in three years. He trails Montana's Ken Kaltschmidt by 61 points with three races remaining.
The tire war has heated up this season, with Lewis and Goodyear winning the latest battle against Hoosier.
``Goodyear definitely is pulling even and even ahead on some of the tracks,'' Lewis said. ``That's the whole reason we're starting to catch back up. We've been running well all year long, but some of our tires haven't held up. But Goodyear has stepped it up and got us an awesome short-track tire.''
Article submitted by Lewis Racing.
