Scott Powersports’ Johnny Lewis earns career-best finishes at DAYTONA Short Track after nine months off from racing

Athlete wins the opening night Expert Dash on his new #10 Honda CRF450R

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 5, 2010) – When an athlete is recovering for nine months following a racing injury, there is concern about whether he can perform at the same level. Scott Powersports/DR.D/Pit Posse’s Johnny Lewis had no doubt that he would be ready for his return. At the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship opener at the DAYTONA Short Track on Wednesday, March 3 he earned sixth, his best-ever series finish, and then backed it up with another best for fourth the following night. Any doubt about his performance were put to rest with those finishes along with a coveted win in the Expert Dash for Cash.

Lewis arrived early in the week to check out the new DAYTONA Short Track outside of turns one and two at the famed DAYTONA International Speedway. This would be his first race on the Honda CRF450R after he and the Scott Powersports crew spent the past several weeks setting up the bike for flat track. Lewis also obtained customized-for-flat track suspension from Axis Racing Shocks/Penske Racing Shocks.

According to reports more than 5,000 fans attended the opening night at the new track’s first race. In qualifying, Lewis posted the sixth-fastest time among 150 competitors. Heading into his heat race he knew all the preparation and time away from racing was starting to pay off. Lewis won his heat race which put him into the Expert Dash. In the Expert Dash, he broad-slided around the limestone track to win the four-lap race which included all the heat race winners. This gave him extra points towards the championship along with cash in his pocket. In the 25-lap main, Lewis was ready to perform. He ran near the front early and battled for a podium spot. After losing momentum, Lewis settled into the sixth place position.

“On the first night I lost my line a bit and still held on for sixth,” said Lewis. “It was awesome to come out here and win the Expert Dash. Then come out in the main to show that I hadn’t lost any of my speed. I improved on my best pro flat track finish which was a seventh last year.”  

On night two, Lewis improved once again. He qualified with the third-fastest time. And again he won his heat race which gave him a great pick on the line for the main and a spot in the Expert Dash. Lewis didn’t win the Expert Dash this time around. But that’s okay with him as he focused his energy on riding stronger in the main. In the 25-lap main, Lewis was running hot again right in there with the front runners sliding sideways on the limestone. He ended up finishing in fourth, now his best-ever pro flat track finish.

Lewis added, “I am super-pumped and couldn’t have asked for much more during my first week back racing! On night two I made some adjustments. My Scott Powersports Honda was running awesome. Jake (Johnson) just had too much for all of us out front. The custom suspension from Axis Racing Shocks/Penske Racing Shocks is the best I’ve used in flat track and it made a difference in my performance. Winning the Extra Dash the first night was cool but finishing fourth in an AMA Grand National is the best! I appreciate all my sponsors who believed in my return to racing this year.”

Lewis’ story-book return does not end there. With his two impressive and consistent finishes, he sits tied in second place in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship standings.  

Be sure to catch Lewis and the other competitors this Sunday, March 7 at 6 p.m. EST on SPEED TV which will air a recap of both nights of racing. The next stop for Lewis will be round three of the AMA Pro Singles Grand National series in Springfield, Illinois for the Springfield TT on May 29. In the meantime, follow Lewis on Twitter at www.twitter.com/johnnylewis21 and visit his website at www.johnnylewis.org.

About Johnny Lewis

Professional athlete Johnny Lewis of Coatesville, Pennsylvania showed last year in his rookie season in the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship that he can develop to be a force in the series. Prior to flat track, he raced in the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship for three full seasons where he was the youngest to ever win in the Unlimited Class. In 2010, Lewis will race the number 10 Scott Powersports/DR.D/Pit Posse Honda CRF450F in AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Championship events and the number 10 custom Kawasaki Ninja650 flat-tracker in select AMA Pro Flat Track Twins races. Lewis would like to thank his sponsors that make this season possible: Scott Powersports, Dubach Racing Development (DR.D), Pit Posse, Monster Energy, ONE Industries, Arai Helmets, Freestyle Watches, Smith Optics, ActionSportsTV.com, Kicker Audio, Silkolene, Custom Axis Racing Shocks/Penske Racing Shocks, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Factory Box, Victory Circle Graphics, Faction MX, FLUIDYNE, Wiseco Pistons, TRX Fitness Anywhere, Motion Pro, and A&A Racing. Visitwww.johnnylewis.org.

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