LEWIS GRABS POLE AT TRICITY RACEWAY

BOTHELL, Washington -- ­On a night of great anticipation, Gary Lewis and his #73 Nutter Racing Engine/Sign Factory USA/ Sandblaster Inc. Pontiac grabbed the pole with a blazing 18.1 seconds at the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series last Saturday at Tri-City Raceway. Drawing an eight-car invert, Lewis set his eyes on his first victory of 2004. “The Victory Circle Chassis was working very good. The Nutter Racing Engine was pulling hard. And the Lewis Racing Team worked relentlessly to give us a great run at the Bud Pole Award,” Lewis said following the race. The night was a long one, not ending until about 11 p.m. Accidents were at a premium during the race as well as in practice. Starting eighth, Lewis was able to move up to third by lap 35. Going to the inside of turn one in his battle to move into second, a car came out of the pit area sideways right in front of the lead pack. Lewis and Shane Biles made contact, sending Lewis into the grass infield. “Biles and I were having a great, clean side-by-side battle for the position. The next thing we see is Jody Tanner coming out of the pits sideways,” Lewis recalled. Biles and I bumped each other. We both spun, luckily not hitting anything. We just fell to the back of the pack, not happy, but not that big of a deal.” Falling back to 12th position, Lewis was working hard to move his way back up to the front of the pack. After passing a few cars in the second grove he found himself being driven into the wall by Jeff Bailey coming out of turn 4. After heading to the pits to repair the heavily damaged right side of his car, his chances at a victory were diminished. Late in the race with only 15 laps to go, a broken rear end finished the night for Lewis. “We’re not happy at all about that deal with Bailey,” Lewis said. “We clearly had the position and a much faster car. We will stay focused and try to make up the points we have lost.” A disappointing finish to such a great start leaves Lewis hungry for the next race at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe May 8. Look for the #73 Nutter Racing Engine/Sign Factory, Sandblaster Inc. Pontiac to be atop the standings soon.