BOTHELL, Washington -- Maintaining the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series points lead and grabbing another victory on the high-bank Montana Raceway Park .250-mile oval are the goals for Gary Lewis Racing heading into the fifth race of the 2007 season.

Rocketing back from 18th place to finish third overall at Wenatchee Valley on June 16, Lewis managed to hold serve over Jeff Jefferson at the midway point of the year.

Faced with two weeks of repairs to his damaged Chevrolet Monte Carlo and family commitments, Lewis indicated that the long trip to Kalispell would actually be a “racing vacation.”

Once he arrives it will be like returning to visit an old friend, he added.

“We enjoy racing in Kalispell and usually try to stay a few extra days when we’re out. One of favorite memories from racing out there has to be seeing all those buckets of beer being lifted to the top of the bleachers with a rope. The city is just a great place, the fans are awesome and the track is an awesome facility to run.

“We’ve been so busy the last few weeks that this race will seem like a vacation but we’re hoping that things settled down after a trip to Montana.”

One thing that the Sign Factory USA driver is hoping to avoid this weekend will be a repeat of Wenatchee where the Bothell, WA native worked the car so hard to get back to the front of the field that the tires were wore out at the end of the evening.

“Both tracks are very similar and are very tough to pass on. You have to stay tight and be ready to move if somebody makes a mistake in front of you. The problem with that is you may get caught up in that mistake if you’re not careful. Hopefully this week we can run up front without having to come from the back again.”

While looking to win each race that the Nutter Racing Engines team runs, points are important as the races will begin to wind down, Lewis noted.

“We have posted some good finishes this year so far, but, we definitely have room for improvement. That is what we will be working on in the second half of the season. We have to be sure to stay ahead of a great team and driver in (Jeff) Jefferson and that is no easy task. I know we’re up for the challenge.”

For more information regarding Gary Lewis Racing log onto www.garylewisracing.com To learn more about this week’s ARCA West LMCS Firecracker 125 check out www.latemodelchallenge.com

See Also .:

• Gary Lewis Driver Card

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