CORONA, California -- Sixteen-year-old Andrew Lewis and his #04 Chevy S-10 Speed Truck Challenge team have joined forces with the Rio Bravo Resort and Spa of Bakersfield, California for the April 26th race at Mesa Marin Raceway.
The 2001 Legends Cars Semi Pro National Champion, and now full time competitor in the Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Challenge is looking forward to another successful weekend of racing.
“Rio Bravo Resorts is an awesome facility and we wish to thank them for their support of our team for the April 26th race at Mesa Marin.” “We were very happy with our efforts at Tucson Raceway Park,” said Andrew Lewis, driver of the Rio Bravo Resorts Speed Truck. “Setting fast time in qualification and running second for the majority of the race even though my power steering gave up on Lap 30, I chased Lee Hatch holding onto 2nd place until the exhaustion finally set in.” “We’ll take the 8th place finish at Tucson Raceway Park and try to duplicate our qualifying efforts and put the Rio Bravo Resorts Speed Truck on the pole for the first race ever at the famed Mesa Marin Raceway.” “We were notified earlier this week, that I am not eligible for “Rookie of The Year,” as I competed in 8 races for the 2002 season, violating the 7 race Rookie rule.” Undaunted by that fact, Lewis will continue to strive for top five showings and chase down current points leader Lee Hatch for the 2003 Championship. After a crash in practice at I-10 Speedway in March at the season opener Andrew was unable to start the race, placing him well behind the Championship program, but he remains confident that ground will be made up in the remainder of the season.
As the youngest full time competitor in the Speed Truck Challenge, Andrew has frequently demonstrated his outstanding abilities while behind the wheel of the #04 Speed Truck. Lewis earned one pole and two second place finishes on the 3/8 mile Las Vegas Bullring last season. In one of those second place finishes he came all the way from the back of the field after having his engine vapor lock during a red flag early in the race.
Lewis wants to thank the folks at The Rio Bravo Resort and Spa, for their support for the upcoming race at Mesa Marin. “I also want to thank my parents, Dave and Connie Lewis, Rubin Munoz my Crew Chief, Josh Gilbert my friend and Driving Coach for the last 6 years and Rich’s Motorsports, for putting the best equipment available underneath me.”
In addition to the Rio Bravo Resort and Spa, Andrew also carries the logo for Speedway Children’s Charities, a National Organization founded by Bruton Smith of Speedway Motorsports Inc., to help kids via the racing community. Andrew has volunteered countless hours over the past 6 years helping with different Fund Raisers for the Charity, along side of many notable drivers in NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series.
