NIPOMO, Calif. — Continuing a career year with the Avanti Windows & Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, Ricky Lewis scored his seventh win of the campaign at Santa Maria Speedway.
Starting sixth, the pilot of the No. 41 Coyote Candle Company / Mesilla Valley Transportation DRC took command from Kaleb Montgomery on the 24th circuit and led the rest of the way to grab the 11th triumph of his career.
Outside front row starter, A.J. Bender led the first two laps until resulting damage after contact knocked him out of contention as Montgomery took over the top spot. Montgomery, the May 3rd Santa Maria winner, set a blistering pace and was slicing through traffic at will.
Lewis steadily surged forward and was gaining ground on the leader. Things changed on lap 20, after a caution erased Montgomery’s advantage and Lewis was now within striking distance.
Lewis made the most of the opportunity and powered to the checkered flags over David Gasper, “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams, Montgomery and R.J. Johnson.
Lewis opened the night by setting the quick time with a 13.354-second lap over the 16-car roster.
The finish:
FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Ricky Lewis (6), 2. David Gasper (1), 3. Austin Williams (5), 4. Kaleb Montgomery (4), 5. R.J. Johnson (7), 6. Blake Bower (8), 7. Tommy Malcolm (9), 8. Connor Lundy (3), 9. Verne Sweeney (10), 10. Brecken Guerrero (11), 11. Jeff Dyer (13), 12. Brandon Nelsen (14), 13. Elexa Herrera (12), 14. A.J. Bender (2).
