LEWIS HEADS TO EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY WITH MOMENTUM

Source: Doug Pace
Date: 07/25/2008

Lewis comes off a weekend of history at the 18th Annual Coors Light Montana 200 as the three-time touring champion was the first driver to ever win the prestigious event two straight years.

The accomplishment left Lewis nearly speechless.

“Man what a crazy deal (to win two straight 200’s). I can not even believe that we won it last year let alone do it again in 2008,” he said. “This has been by far one of our biggest accomplishments ever. We love running in Kalispell at Montana Raceway Park. They put on the best show for sure anywhere on the West Coast; the best out of every track that I have ever raced at.”

Evergreen Speedway hosts the ASA Northwest Tour this weekend, a series that Lewis has raced just a handful of times since 2007. The chance to run an event on his hometrack was a big reason why the Frontline Security pit crew went straight to work on turning the Impala around for the 5/8th mile speedway after running the ¼ mile just last weekend.

Having not run Evergreen in some time does not concern Lewis and how he approaches the weekend, he noted.

“We probably have a small disadvantage at Evergreen compared to a couple of teams but over all with all the different tracks we race at our team should be able to adapt pretty quickly. Plus, I have logged a lot of laps on the 5/8th so we should be just fine.”

Bringing a basic set-up that has proven itself valuable over time doesn’t hurt, Lewis added.

“We have been able to come up with a standard set-up that works great at almost every track. Over the day we’ll make some small spring changes and a few minor adjustments that dial the car in for the race.”

While Lewis has taken a few races off this season, Evergreen marks the second of four consecutive race weekends as the team heads to Stateline Speedway on Aug. 2 for the running of the Idaho 200 and closes out the stretch with the Miller 200 at South Sound Speedway on Aug. 9.

Taking time off has not meant fishing trips or other extra curricular activities, according to Lewis.

“The time we took off was for me to get some work done on some other cars that I have been working on. Our car was just sitting there waiting to be worked on while I finished up those projects and it really has felt like we’ve already raced a full season with all the race car stuff going on in the shop.”

With the side projects completed Lewis is ready for the challenge of winning four consecutive races, he said. To achieve that success will be difficult but the defending ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series champion is up to the test.

“The biggest challenge (to winning four straight main events) is just staying on top of the car so we at least have the chance to compete from week to week,” Lewis explained. “These cars require a lot of work and maintenance to be fast and stay consistent. We will definitely work hard and be smart to try and make correct decisions to keep the Sunbelt Rentals Chevrolet up front for this stretch.”

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