MONROE, Wash. (April 7, 2001) - Gary Lewis of Bothell, Wash., took care of his tires during the first half of the Sno-Country Ford 125, held at Evergreen Sppedway, then kept Tom Sweatman at bay to claim his first win of the 2001 Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, NASCAR Touring season. The 1998 series champion fell by one point to Garrett Evans for the 2000 title, but appears ready to start the new season off with determination on the strength of his 20th career victory.
Lewis, who started 7th, moved into the top 5 by lap 20, and then made steady progress towards second place by lap 46. Former series champion, Ron Eaton, led the first 65 laps around the .646 paved oval before giving way to Lewis on lap 66.
Eaton set a fast pace during the early portion of the race as he began to move by the back of the field on lap 25. With Eaton working traffic, Totem Travel Rookie of the Year candidate, John Bender, applied pressure to the leader, but the cagey veteran was able to hold him off for several laps as they weaved through lapped cars. Lewis would make it three wide with Bender and a lapped car going into turn No. 3 to claim second place in the running order on lap 46.
Sweatman began the race in fifth position; fell back to seventh place by lap 40 as he kept the wear on his tires to a minimum. On lap 60, Sweatman had moved up to fifth place in the running order, and then moved into second place behind Lewis on lap 78.
On lap 111, Sweatman would pass Lewis for the lead. With the laps winding down, the only caution of the evening came out for Matt Kelley who cut a tire down exiting turn No. 4. With the lead lap cars moved to the front of the running order, Lewis and Sweatman staged a classic two-car duel for the lead between laps 119 and 120 before Lewis regained the point for the final time as lap 121 began.
"The tires weren't lasting too long there at the start of the race day. At the beginning of the race our Sign Factory machine was running our own pace," said Lewis. "I kept an eye on the pack. As people starting catching up to me, I knew it was time to make my move. It was hairy there at the end. We had no traction left on the back (tires)".
"Thank God we've got a couple of class drivers here in Tom Sweatman and Kevin Hamlin to bring all these cars home in one piece," added Lewis. "The set-up was crucial here today. We got the car good for long runs"
Following the post race inspection, Sweatman was moved to the last position in the running order due to a technical infraction.
Kevin Hamiln finished second followed by Gaylon Stewart. Eaton and Pete Harding rounded out the top 5.
The next race for the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series is the Pepsi 125, at South Sound Speedway on May 12.
NOTES OF INTEREST:
Gary Lewis saw his streak of eight consecutive Bud Pole Awards on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, come to a close at Evergreen Speedway. John Bender timed in with a fast lap of 103.314 m.p.h., covering the .646 oval in 22.520 seconds.
Troy Conrad, who earned a ninth place finish, took the early lead in the race for 2001 Totem Travel Rookie of the Year. Conrad qualified in the 18th position, but chose to start the race at the end of the field. The move paid off as he rallied to pass 20 cars over the 125-lap event.
