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"My
goals and expectations for the 2001 season are to start off running
consistently in the Top-10, win a race, and finish the season in the
Top-10 in points," said Lewis. "I feel that we have the team
and cars to be competitive this season and that is what we plan to
do."
If you think Lewis is crazy for believing that he can find Victory Lane
in his first full Busch Series season, you are mistaken. In 1998, Lewis
finished third at Watkins Glen International in only his fourth career
NASCAR Busch Series start - proving that he is a contender.
If hard work and determination pay off then Lewis is in for the ride of
his life. For many drivers, their day begins when they climb through the
window of the car and ends when they climb out. Lewis is different; he
is simply one of the guys on the crew, working on the car when he is not
behind the wheel.
Away from the track, Lewis can be found putting in a full day's work at
Lewis Motorsports.
"My day-to-day shop duties at Lewis Motorsports include building
shocks, handling all engineering problems, helping to set-up the race
cars and scheduling the work for everyone."
With a mechanical engineering degree from Old Dominion University in
Norfolk, VA, Lewis is able to tell his crew exactly what feels wrong or
right when he is behind the wheel of his No. 46 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
"My engineering background helps me most of the time, because it
allows me to understand the dynamics of the car," said Lewis.
"But it hinders me when I try to be an engineer while
driving."
Lewis' career in motorsports began in a go-cart at the age of 17. Most
drivers in the South set their sights on the big lights of NASCAR, but
not Lewis. Lewis had his mind set on the Formula-One (F-1) circuit in
Europe.
In 1990, Lewis began driving Formula Fords in the Skip Barber Midwest
Series. In his first season, he drove away with two victories and eighth
place in the season championship.
In 1991, Lewis conquered the Skip Barber Midwest Series by collecting 14
wins in 16 starts and finishing the season with the championship. While
competing in the Skip Barber Midwest Series, Lewis managed to finish
second in the Eastern Division with eight wins in 16 starts.
In 1992, Lewis applied for and was granted the Team USA Scholarship. The
Team USA Scholarship gives the most deserving road racers in the United
States the chance to race in the British Formula Ford Championship. In
looking at past recipients of the scholarship, you find names such as
Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta and current NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jerry
Nadeau. Lewis proved his driving abilities by finishing 15th of 176
drivers in the program.
In 1993, Lewis stepped into the driver's seat of a friends late model
stock car, and it did not take him long to figure out that he was headed
for NASCAR instead of F-1.
While completing his mechanical engineering degree, Lewis began racing
in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series at Langley Speedway. He won
rookie-of-the-year honors in 1993 and also made his debut in the NASCAR
Busch Series the same year.
Lewis continued to ply his trade in the NASCAR Winston Racing series at
Langely and Southampton Speedways in Virginia, racking up victories and
pole positions - in a car built by he and his brother Charlie Lewis.
Along the way, Lewis entered cars in Busch Series events when he found
time. In 1998, Lewis entered eight Busch Series events and posted his
career best finish (third).
In 1999, he worked as team engineer at Akins Motorsports, which fields
two Busch Series teams.
In 2000, Lewis competed in 11 Busch Series events, posting a best finish
of 17th at Michigan Speedway.
Lewis is back and ready to roll in 2001 with his family backing his
effort. "I want to put together a strong season," said Lewis.
"Great finishes will mean excellent things for our operation - I
intend to make the most of my opportunities this year."
Lewis Motorsports plans to run the full Busch Series schedule, but like
many teams they are still in search of sponsorship.
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