PERRIS, Calif. — Starting third, Ricky Lewis led all 30 laps to score his fifth Avanti Windows and Doors USAC CRA Sprint Car triumph of the season at southern California’s Perris Auto Speedway.
Returning to his No. 41 Coyote Candle Company / Mesilla Valley Transportation DRC, Lewis had a torrid early race battle with Matt Mitchell until shaking free from all challengers to top the Salute to Indy.
The series point leader scored his ninth career victory by a 3.637-second margin over David Gasper, R.J. Johnson, Mitchell and “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams.
Defending champion R.J. Johnson opened the Salute to Indy by posting his fourth consecutive Woodland Auto Display / WC Friend Company Access Systems Fast Time Award with a 16.437-second lap.
The finish:
Feature (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Ricky Lewis (3), 2. David Gasper (4), 3. R.J. Johnson (6), 4. Matt Mitchell (1), 5. Austin Williams (7), 6. A.J. Bender (8), 7. Tommy Malcolm (16), 8. Brody Roa (12), 9. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (11), 10. Blake Bower (10), 11. Connor Lundy (13), 12. Andrew Sweeney (17), 13. Connor Speir (15), 14. Cole Wakim (9), 15. Shane Sexton (21), 16. Elexa Herrera (20), 17. Brecken Guerrero (22), 18. Logan Williams (5), 19. Tanner Boul (19), 20. Brody Wake (14), 21. Verne Sweeney (18), 22. Cody Williams (2).
