USAC Ford Focus Western Speed Racer Earns Podium Spot at Turkey Night Grand Prix

The most important race of the year for Ford Focus Teams and drivers is the season-ending annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. Drivers from across the country ate turkey at the track before they competed on the 1/3 mile paved oval. Two of those racers were Michael Lewis and his teammate Cody Gerhardt.

Turkey Night Grand Prix Third Place finish for Western Speed Racer Michael Lewis
Turkey Night Grand Prix Third Place finish for Western Speed Racer Michael Lewis
The Western Speed Team Racers went to the final 2009 USAC Ford Focus event with five feature wins between them. Both drivers recorded strong lap times during the five practice sessions and anticipated a strong qualifying effort.

Final USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Car Series Event podium win for Michael Lewis during 69th Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California
Final USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Car Series Event podium win for Michael Lewis during 69th Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California
Lewis qualified in 5th place and was placed on the front row for the start of the 40-lap feature. “Kevin Gerhardt worked really hard for both Cody and I and gave us great cars,” said Lewis. “I felt like I had a chance to get a win for the Western Speed Team.”

Western Speed Racing is owned by Rick Lew and Kevin Gerhardt. Western Speed cars are equipped with K&N filters. “Our K&N products give us extra power and excellent filtration,” said Gerhardt. “The K&N air filters are also washable and reusable and protect our engines from track debris.”

When the green flag waved Lewis tucked in behind the leader and the chase began. The top four cars ran nose to tail. Lewis lost a position during lapped traffic and worked hard to get it back. Lewis finished third when the checkered flag waved.

Lewis had a very successful season in the No. 60 Western Speed Ford Focus midget. He recorded three feature wins, earned four fast time qualifying awards and numerous heat race wins. Even though Lewis competed part time this season, he earned 4th position in driver points and the No. 60 Ford Focus midget earned the car owner’s championship for Western Speed Racing.

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