POST FALLS, Idaho — There are not enough adjectives, nouns, adverbs or verbs to describe what Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA) has done. Lewis did what many felt was impossible a three peat at the 10th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 200. Second place went to Shelby Thompson (Spokane, WA) and third to a former two time winner of the event John Gamble (Spokane, WA).
"I can not believe we have been able accomplish this. I can’t thank my crew enough for what they have done. Now we can set our goal to win the 2009 ASA Northwest Late Model Tour Championship where we just took the lead in points."— Gary Lewis
Lewis followed the three peat at the Montana 200 with his three back to back wins of the prestigious Idaho 200. Taking the lead on lap 49, from the 16th starting position, Lewis never was challenged. A tired but relieved Lewis climbed from his SFENCO Communications Chevrolet. “I can not believe we have been able accomplish this. I can’t thank my crew enough for what they have done. Now we can set our goal to win the 2009 ASA Northwest Late Model Tour Championship where we just took the lead in points.”
The Bill Thompson Auto Sales Chevrolet driven by Thompson seemed to be able to match Lewis in the first half of the 200-lap feature. The second half was not as good. “The car was not good in the middle of the corners and I couldn’t stay with Gary. A second to Lewis right now is not bad.”
A very exhausted Gamble stated, “He is fast (Lewis). I just kept plugging along and I am excited to finish third.” Gamble had to transfer from the Last Chance Main to get into the 200 in his McClintock & Turk Inc. Ford.
A total of 28 Super Late Model Stock Car racers were in the pits for the 2009 edition of the NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 200. A Last Chance 20-lap main was needed to fill the 24-car Idaho 200. Mike Zamora (Kennewick, WA) was the victor and transferred along with five others to the 200.
“It was a very hot weekend (weather) even so we had a very successful Idaho 200. I congratulate Lewis for his unbelievable three in a row. Something that has never been done and I am looking forward to next year’s 200”, said Stateline Stadium/Speedway owner/promoter Joe Doellefeld.
The Official Finish:
10th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 200
Stateline Stadium/Speedway – Post Falls, ID
Sunday August 1, 2009 (200-laps .250-mile paved oval)
Pos Laps Name Hometown
1 200 Gary Lewis Snohomish, WA
2 200 Shelby Thompson Spokane, WA
3 200 John Gamble Spokane, WA
4 200 Jeff Jefferson Yakima, WA
5 200 Jonathan Gomez Twin Falls, ID
6 200 Dave Garber Spokane, WA
7 199 Rusty Webb Dear Park, WA
8 199 Jared Vorse Olympia, WA
9 199 Amanda MacDonald Ephrata, WA
10 198 John Newhouse Twin Falls, ID
41 198 Andy Brown Spokane, WA
12 198 Agni Howell Kalispell, MT
13 197 Kameron McKeehan Spokane, WA
14 197 Kirk Hennefer Missoula, MT
15 128 Jeff Little Sandpoint, ID
16 100 Greg McKinley Spokane Valley, WA
17 100 Corey Allard Sagle, ID
18 87 Zan Sharp Wellsville, UT
19 69 Kevin Richards Newman Lake, WA
20 49 Jim Wulfenstein Pahrump, NV
21 49 Dylan Caldwell Nampa, ID
22 47 Jim Johnson Orting, WA
23 45 Mike Zamora Kennewick, WA
24 20 Craig Bell Kuna, ID
20-lap Transfer Main:
Pos Laps Name Hometown
1 20 Mike Zamora* Kennewick, WA
2 20 Kevin Richards* Newman Lake, WA
3 20 John Gamble* Spokane, WA
4 20 Corey Allard* Sagle, ID
5 20 Jeff Little* Sandpoint, ID
6 20 Kirk Hennefer* Missoula, MT
7 20 Braeden Havens Spokane, WA
8 20 Russ Osborne Las Vegas, NV
9 19 Thane Alderman Las Vegas, NV
10 15 Nathan Fleury Spokane, WA
*Denotes transferred to 200-lap feature
Lap Leaders: McKinley 1-48; Lewis 49-200
Fast Qualifier: Lewis :13.481
