Q&A WITH GARY LEWIS - HARD WORK PAYS OFF

Source: RacingWest.com / Janet Peery
Date: 07/30/2007

Gary Lewis has been unstoppable since winning the last NASCAR Northwest Tour title. ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series...he wins it, ASA NW Tour...he wins it, Montana 200... he wins it. No one can call Lewis a one-track Jack. He is one of those rare drivers that makes every track a hometrack. Yakima, Wenatchee, Kalispell...he wins them all...and what about Spokane? His first time to the track and he wins. He is a dominant force this year, and somewhere along the way...somene lost out on putting a darn good driver in a NASCAR Craftsman truck or NASCAR Busch car...maybe its not too late?

And now on to the questions Lewis took the time to answer for his fans.

RacingWest: Gary, you seem to be conquering anything and everything you run this year. What is your secret?
Gary Lewis: No secrets really, I actually probably tell to many people what I run. I guess it boils down to hard work and preparation. We have been doing this for many years now and I really try hard to learn more every time I hit the track. In the last few years I have learned more about what each change on the car feels like and then what to change to have a more balanced car. That is probably the biggest secret to my recent success, trying to learn more every time out.

RW: You have a very impressive background.including winning the final NASCAR Northwest Tour championship. Have you ever been frustrated, knowing you have the talent, but not the money? And could you maybe explain a little what might have been beneficial to you?
GL: Yes the money issue has always been a problem, however it has also taught me how to take care of the car. I guess the method of my madness that I like to call it is Cautiously Aggressive. I know that if we have too many bad races in a row we may not be able to continue and if I tear off a finder or quarter panel that I will probably have to fix it. In the years past it has been very frustrating knowing that I could make it in the big-time if I had a chance, many times the all mighty dollar is what you need to get there.

RW: Of the tracks you have competed on so far this season which have you most
enjoyed racing and why?
GL:We have many great races at many tracks, probably the best overall is Kalispell, MT. They really know how to put on a great show for everybody involved.

RW: Where is your favorite place to set up a pass at that track?
GL: Favorite place to pass would be in the second groove. For one its the most difficult and also the most dangerous, plus it puts on a great show for the fans.

RW: All the tracks have been doing a really great job of promoting this year.but sometimes a promoter will do something extra special for the fans. Can you share something one of the promoters did at their facility that you thought was really cool for the fans?
GL: At the Montana 200 they had a big deal where they got all the drivers, crew chiefs and crew guys together and the fans got to make a donation to put somebody in the dunk tank. Now the water was very cold and full of ice cubes, but we raised close to $4000.00 That money was divided up to the teams that did not make the show. Now how cool was that, if a fan didn't like you he could pay money to dunk you in the tank, trust me it was very cold.

RW: With regards to racing in the ARCA West LMCS, which rule do you like the best and why?
GL: What I like the best I guess is that when they tech you after the race they actually know what they are doing. I have no problem being teched because I know we are legal, what is frustrating is if you do all that work and then they just take a quick look but not really tech it.

RW: If you needed to borrow a part during an ARCA West LMCS event, which team would you go to first?
GL: Many teams are there to help if you need it just like we are more then willing to help anybody on the series. Garrett Evans has been really good to me and we would both help each other at anytime.

RW: If you had a Genie that was ready to grant you three wishes for racing in the NW, what would you wish for?
GL: If I rubbed that magic bottle, I would wish that all the talented drivers up here got the recognition that they deserve. I would also wish for a high bank 3/4 mile track.

RW: When you are not racing or tinkering on the car.what do you most enjoy doing for fun?
GL: I love spending time with my boys and my new family. I also love to go out on the boat and do some bass fishing.

RW: Thank you Gary.good luck at your next race.oh.where can we find you
racing next?
GL: We will be racing this weekend at Stateline Speedway in the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series August 4th, 2007

RW: Great.well appreciate you answering the questions and congratulations on a
so far very successful season.
GL: Thank you and all my race fans for your support- See ya at the track
Gary Lewis #73

If you are a driver, car owner or track promoter-- the fans would love to learn more about you and what it is like to be a grassroots racing insider. RacingWest would love to feature you. If you are willing to give a little of your time to put a smile on the faces of the fans, please email: janet@racingwest.com

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