USAC: Lewis takes 'Copper World' Midget Car Opener at Phoenix
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
March 19, 2001Michael Lewis of Noblesville, Ind., who won the closest race in USAC history last year at Anderson, Ind., scored the biggest victory of his career Saturday afternoon at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway.
Lewis took the lead from defending WorldCom National Midget Car Champion Kasey Kahne on the 20th lap of the 25-lap "Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200" Midget Car feature and led the rest of the way to claim the $10,000 winner's check. "I don't know what to say," he said in victory lane. "It's awesome. It hasn't sunk in yet." Lewis piloted a car co-sponsored by A.J. Foyt Racing and Electronic Chrome & Grinding.
Kahne and teammate Dave Darland, the second and third-place finishers at the checkered flag, were notified after post-race technical inspection that their cars, which nearly ran out of fuel, were disqualified for failing to meet the minimum weight requirement. That left A.J. Fike of Galesburg, Ill. in the runner-up spot, followed by J.J. Yeley of Phoenix, Aaron Fike of Galesburg and Jay Drake of Val Verde, Calif.
Lewis' victory establishes him as the early leader in the WorldCom National Midget Car Series standings going into the April 1 "Glen Niebel Classic" at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. Matt Streeter, who finished 16th in Saturday's race, emerged as the leader in the WorldCom Western Midget Car Series, heading into an April 1 race at the Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif.
Dane Carter won the pole starting spot for Saturday's race during Friday qualifying with a speed of 134.937 mph. He officially led the first five laps of Saturday's race but failed to finish the 25-mile feature due to mechanical problems. Aaron Pollock won Friday's 10-mile "qualifying race."
USAC WORLDCOM NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Mike Lewis 615
2. J.J. Yeley 58
3. A.J. Fike 57
4. Aaron Fike 51
5. Jay Drake 48
6. Mike Bliss 45
7. Aaron Pollock 42
9. Tony Ave 39
9. John Nervo 31
10. Steven Robertson 29
USAC WORLDCOM WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1. Matt Streeter 79
2. Alex Harris 66
3. Danny Ebberts 65
4. Michael Lewis 61
5. Thomas Meseraull 59
6. J.J. Yeley 58
7. A.J. Fike 57
8. Wally Pankratz 52
9. Aaron Fike 51
10. Jay Drake 48
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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