LEWIS MASTERS PACIFIC RACEWAYS ROAD COURSE

KENT, Washington -- Gary Lewis of Bothell, Washington won the inaugural BlueWater Wireless Road Course Challenge at Pacific Raceways for the ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment. Jason Fraser from Snohomish, Washington finished second and Travis Bennett of Ellensburg, Washington was third.

Weather was a major factor for the scheduled 40-lap event on Pacific Raceways 2.25-mile road course. Friday’s practice day was totally washed out for the ASANWT. A monsoon hit the track late in the afternoon that literally caused mud slides on the back stretch. PR employees worked all night to remedy the situation and did a remarkable job. The track was still damp in places when the first of Saturday’s scheduled practices was to begin. With the track finally dry and no rain the ASANWT got on track for the first time.

During that first practice session race winner Lewis went off course causing extensive damage to the right front suspension. The team went to work to repair the damage. After missing the majority of the first and all of the second practice sessions, Lewis came out for qualifying. He was immediately quick and set fast time. During the remainder of the 15-minute qualifying run another problem cropped up. A stuck wheel forced Lewis back to the pits. The team went to work again.

The main event started later than scheduled due to a rain cell rolling in at the original start time. The track people went to work and the rain stopped with the track slowly drying. Twenty ASANWT cars took to the track with the green and yellow at the same time. After two laps of yellow the drivers radioed in that the track was ready. The green went out and the race was on. Lewis on the pole immediately opened a 2-second lead on Fraser. From that point on Lewis was never challenged other than by the tricky fast race course.

The break for refueling was called on lap 20. On the restart Lewis once again got out to the lead. With darkness closing in and a yellow for two cars off course, the ASANWT officials decided that they would finish with a green-white-checker. But the extrication of the cars took longer than expected, forcing the race to be ended under yellow, 12-laps shy of the scheduled 40.

On victory stage Lewis was all smiles saying, “We thrashed on this car all day and I can not thank my crew enough. I love the road course and to win is sweet.”

Fraser’s second was bittersweet. “I wanted the race to end with green-white-checkered. I think I had something for Lewis. I had been holding back preserving the car.” He went on to say, “I want to congratulate Lewis on a great run. The officials made the right call, it was getting too dark.”

Ron Bennett director of the ASANWT said at the conclusion of the long two days, “I can not thank the people here at Pacific Raceways enough for all their hard work in very trying conditions. From Tracie Brandenburg to all the corner workers who stood in the cold rain all day Friday and the rest of the tireless PR crew. They all are the best. We look forward to next year and better weather.”

Next up for the ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment is the two day event at Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho. The towns Fourth of July celebration will be centered on the festivities at the race track. On July 4 and 5 the ASANWT will have two separate main events with Saturday’s main being 150-laps.

For more information call ASANWT at (509) 728-3768.

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