Gary Lewis won the inaugural iRacing.com American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour feature at Spokane County Raceway on Saturday night May 9. Brent Harris was second followed by local favorite Shelby Thompson. There were 7 lead changes among five drivers during the 125-lap feature on the banked .500-mile oval. Lewis made the last change on lap 87.
Once getting the lead of the race it was evident that he was not going to lose it. During the post race interview he said “I was conserving tires during most of the race. The car was awesome.” Lewis won a Late Model Challenge Series race on at the same track in 2007. Lewis leads the chase for the first ever iRacing.com ASA NWLMT championship. Pole sitter Kevin Richards relinquished the lead early to Harris. Richards was forced to leave the race with mechanical woes. Harris led until fast qualifier Mike Longton took over on lap 57. Longton lost the lead a lap later to Thompson. Longton took the lead back a lap later. Thompson regained the lead on a restart after a caution on lap 62. Thompson led until overtaken by Lewis. Twenty-one cars were on the starting grid. The top performing ‘Port City Raecars’ Rookie Challenge driver was Amanda MacDonald finishing 12th. SRTV Friend Joey Tanner was a victim of bad luck even as he set fast laps in practice that would have guarenteed a top-5 five finish.
The iracing.com ASA Northwest Late Model Tour returns to the Inland Northwest on June 13 with a stop at Stateline Speedway for 125-laps on the high banked .25-mile oval. Next up for the iRacing.com American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour is in Ronan, Montana at Mission Valley Speedway on May 23 & 24 for a two day event capped by a $10,000.00 to win 150-lap feature. This event draws cars from all over the Northwest all vying for a portion of the $40,000.00 purse.
