ALMS: Lewis gets a leg up in Portland
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 6, 2001
PORTLAND- American Le Mans Series (ALMS) competitor Shane Lewis slipped back behind the wheel of the #45 ESP American Viperacing Dodge Viper GTS-R today to finish second in GTS-class at the Portland Grand Prix. Lewis, of Jupiter, Florida, started 14th overall in the four-class field. The V10 entry finished 15th overall and was runner-up to the factory-backed Corvette team in class. The race marked Lewis’ second event back since leg surgery in March.
“I’ll tell you this, champagne is some of the best therapy you can have for a leg,” joked the ecstatic Lewis. “We had a good race. The American Viperacing guys put a solid car under us today. We struggled a little early in the weekend but all that disappears with a podium finish. It [the leg] was a little sore when I was out of the car. Once I’d get in the Viper, it was great. I never had to take an aspirin, all I had to do was get in the race car.”
Lewis, who is considered one of the sport’s most popular drivers, has made a remarkable recovery from the surgery. In the four months since undergoing the procedure Lewis has been on a daily workout and rehabilitation routine to expedite his recovery.
“We have been working awfully hard for this sort of result,” conveyed Lewis about his rehab. “If I was frustrated or getting tired [during his rehabilitation] all I had to do was think about this [waving his hand around the podium celebration]; the champagne, the cheers, the celebration, but most of all the joy of racing. That always gave me my second wind.”
The three-time IMSA Supercar winner co-drove the #45 ESP Dodge Viper GTS-R with Jeff Altenburg. The pairing also combined at Sears Point to finish fourth in class at the X-Factor Grand Prix of Sonoma. The teammates raced to a strong third place finish at the checkered flag but a disqualification of the second-place finishing Corvette bumped the Lewis-led duo up to second.
“In hindsight, we chose the wrong tire compound,” reflected Lewis on the day. “When the sun came out this morning the track got really slippery. I knew it was going to happen but there wasn’t much we could do about it then. We just put our head down and went racing. I think this race proved that I am back, not that there should have been any doubts after Sears.”
The Portland Grand Prix marked the final race in a two-race deal that Lewis had signed with American Viperacing. However, after a fourth and a second, the pairing seems to be a strong one. Lewis, still glowing hours after the victory celebration, offered: “We raced hard all day long and I feel great. This was just awesome. We’ll sit down and see where we go after this but I am certainly looking forward to Mosport. I hope we can get the deal in place to make that happen.” Team management is seeking additional support to keep the ALMS-favorite in the car for the remaining 2001 races with hopes to continue the relationship into 2002.
Text provided by Tom Moore
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