Ashton Lewis
Encyclopedia
Ashton Lewis,Jr. was a NASCAR
driver. He was educated at the Sears Point Raceway road racing school as well as obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering
from Old Dominion University
in Norfolk, Virginia
.
Championship for the 1992 Season. He won the championship in that series and was offered a scholarship to race in the British Formula Ford
championship.
Lewis Jr. made his Busch debut in 1993, long before he became known to most Busch fans. Driving the #36 Parkway Pontiac at Watkins Glen
, Lewis started the race in 29th place. The team had mechanical issues partway through the race, but Lewis got back on track and finished the race in 27th place.
Lewis returned once again to the series in 1994. This time, Lewis drove the #80 Commerce Bank Chevy at Milwaukee Mile
. Lewis was able to top his debut with a 24th-place effort, despite a 38th place start.
Lewis again made a one-off start in 1995. He had his best weekend at that point in his career, this time back at Watkins Glen. He started the race solidily in 22nd position, and stayed on the lead lap with a 13th place finishing result.
Lewis disappeared for two years, but he made an eight-race effort in 1998. His first race was once again at the Glen. It went extremely well to say the least. Lewis earned a 3rd place finish, a career best for six years. Lewis also led three laps, the first of his career. That run was very solid, and it earned Lewis a mid-season ride with the #89 Eckerd
Chevy. Sadly, that low budget team did not do well with Lewis and it did not materialize into anything further. The best run was in fact a 23rd at Darlington.
Lewis went of the radar for 1999, but came back in 2000, with a new family owned #46 Chevy, which Lewis would run for five years. In fact, this time, Lewis had his brother, Charlie Lewis, at crew chief, a position that Charlie still holds to this day with his brother. Lewis made an 11-race schedule in 2000. Lewis' best finish in 2000 was a 17th at Michigan. However, Lewis also had three other top-25 finishes. In addition, Lewis set his career best start to that time of 11th at Darlington.
With a decent first year under their belt, Lewis Motorsports ran all but one race in 2001, leading to a 20th place standing in points. Lewis earned three top-10s in 2001: A pair of fifths at Kentucky
and Charlotte
and a ninth at Memphis
, an impressive feat without a full-time sponsor. Lewis earned his best start of 2001 at Las Vegas
, with a 5th place starting position. However, Lewis struggled to finish races, and had nine DNFs.
Yet, the team was optimistic. The team would run 2002 with new sponsor Civil Air Patrol
. Lewis only had one top-5, but it was a solid one. Lewis started 24th at his home track of Richmond International Raceway
, but certainly ran well, moving to a 2nd place finish. In addition, Lewis earned a triplet of 8th and another triplet of 9th. Lewis was also qualifying well, with 5 top-10 starts, the best being a 3rd at IRP. The only reason that Lewis finished a lowly 17th was simple: a series-high 12 DNFs.
Lewis set out to better his season in 2003, and did it well. Cutting down his DNFs to five led to a 12th place finish in points. The highlight of his season came at Gateway
. He won the pole and led forty-four laps and was running fifth when Randy Lajoie
crashed in front of him and led to a 33rd place finish. However, Ashton did have better overall finishes. He had two top-5s with a 3rd at Nashville
and a 5th at Homestead-Miami
. Lewis also tacked on eight other top-10 finishes, to have ten top-10 finishes in 2003.
The team lost CAP after 2003, however, and the team could not attract a sponsor for 2004. The team would end up running the whole season, but Lewis' family team had to shut down following the season. Yet, Lewis made one great swan song at the end of the season. A late season surge put Lewis in position to win races. That was apparent at Darlington, where Lewis ran a specially painted tribute car to a second place finish, barely losing to Jamie McMurray
. Even though there was some sadness in the team's hearts, Lewis finished 8th place in points, his first career top-10 showing.
Yet, Lewis' Cinderella story led to a new ride. Lewis would drive the solid #25 Marines Ford in 2005. The team had almost won the championship with Bobby Hamilton Jr. in 2003. Yet, 2005 did not go so well. He had a solid start, with four top-10s including a 4th at Talladega. He was even running fifth in points a third of the way into the year. However, the horseshoe fell out of Lewis' pocket in the rest of the season, with his only top-10 being an 8th at Charlotte. The summary of the season seemed to be a last-place finish in 2005's final race at Homestead-Miami.
Looking at 2006, it has been a so-so year for Lewis. He stayed with his team in hopes of getting better finishes. The team has struggled to this point, with a best finish of 11th at Nashville. Yet, the team has the plans to complete the full season, as Lewis Jr. continues to mature.
At the end of 2006, Ashton sat 15th in points with 2 top fives and 3 top ten finishes. Unfortunately, the sour results split Lewis and the #25 car and he has been left without a ride for the 2007 NASCAR season. Thus, 2007 plans and beyond are not known.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver. He was educated at the Sears Point Raceway road racing school as well as obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
.
Busch Series Career
Lewis was a driver who was especially good on road courses. He started out in the IMSA Barber SaabSaab
Saab AB is a Swedish aerospace and defence company, founded in 1937. From 1947 to 1990 it was the parent company of automobile manufacturer Saab Automobile, and between 1968 and 1995 the company was in a merger with commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania, known as Saab-Scania.-History:"Svenska...
Championship for the 1992 Season. He won the championship in that series and was offered a scholarship to race in the British Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
championship.
Lewis Jr. made his Busch debut in 1993, long before he became known to most Busch fans. Driving the #36 Parkway Pontiac at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
, Lewis started the race in 29th place. The team had mechanical issues partway through the race, but Lewis got back on track and finished the race in 27th place.
Lewis returned once again to the series in 1994. This time, Lewis drove the #80 Commerce Bank Chevy at Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
. Lewis was able to top his debut with a 24th-place effort, despite a 38th place start.
Lewis again made a one-off start in 1995. He had his best weekend at that point in his career, this time back at Watkins Glen. He started the race solidily in 22nd position, and stayed on the lead lap with a 13th place finishing result.
Eckerd
Eckerd Corporation was an American drug store chain that was headquartered in Largo, Florida, and toward the end of its life, in Warwick, Rhode Island....
Chevy. Sadly, that low budget team did not do well with Lewis and it did not materialize into anything further. The best run was in fact a 23rd at Darlington.
Lewis went of the radar for 1999, but came back in 2000, with a new family owned #46 Chevy, which Lewis would run for five years. In fact, this time, Lewis had his brother, Charlie Lewis, at crew chief, a position that Charlie still holds to this day with his brother. Lewis made an 11-race schedule in 2000. Lewis' best finish in 2000 was a 17th at Michigan. However, Lewis also had three other top-25 finishes. In addition, Lewis set his career best start to that time of 11th at Darlington.
With a decent first year under their belt, Lewis Motorsports ran all but one race in 2001, leading to a 20th place standing in points. Lewis earned three top-10s in 2001: A pair of fifths at Kentucky
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, which has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing annually since it opened in 2000. The track is currently owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Carroll, who, along with four other investors, owned...
and Charlotte
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
and a ninth at Memphis
Memphis Motorsports Park
Memphis International Raceway is an auto racing park located across the Loosahatchie River from Memphis, Tennessee, approximately ten miles south of Millington, Tennessee. The facility opened in 1987 with a drag strip and 1.8-mile road course...
, an impressive feat without a full-time sponsor. Lewis earned his best start of 2001 at Las Vegas
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
, with a 5th place starting position. However, Lewis struggled to finish races, and had nine DNFs.
Yet, the team was optimistic. The team would run 2002 with new sponsor Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
. Lewis only had one top-5, but it was a solid one. Lewis started 24th at his home track of Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
, but certainly ran well, moving to a 2nd place finish. In addition, Lewis earned a triplet of 8th and another triplet of 9th. Lewis was also qualifying well, with 5 top-10 starts, the best being a 3rd at IRP. The only reason that Lewis finished a lowly 17th was simple: a series-high 12 DNFs.
Lewis set out to better his season in 2003, and did it well. Cutting down his DNFs to five led to a 12th place finish in points. The highlight of his season came at Gateway
Gateway International Raceway
Gateway Motorsports Park is a race track in Madison, Illinois, USA, just east of St. Louis, Missouri. After being shuttered by former owner Dover Motorsports Inc., on Nov. 3, 2010, it was announced Sept. 8, 2011, that the facility would re-open and host an NHRA Full Throttle Series event Oct. 5-7,...
. He won the pole and led forty-four laps and was running fifth when Randy Lajoie
Randy LaJoie
Randall LaJoie was a driver in the NASCAR Busch Series , where he is a two-time champion. Presently, he does not have a full-time ride. He is the father of racers Casey and Corey LaJoie.-Early racing career:LaJoie started racing go-karts when he was 12 years old...
crashed in front of him and led to a 33rd place finish. However, Ashton did have better overall finishes. He had two top-5s with a 3rd at Nashville
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
and a 5th at Homestead-Miami
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
. Lewis also tacked on eight other top-10 finishes, to have ten top-10 finishes in 2003.
The team lost CAP after 2003, however, and the team could not attract a sponsor for 2004. The team would end up running the whole season, but Lewis' family team had to shut down following the season. Yet, Lewis made one great swan song at the end of the season. A late season surge put Lewis in position to win races. That was apparent at Darlington, where Lewis ran a specially painted tribute car to a second place finish, barely losing to Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray
James Christopher "Jamie" McMurray is a professional American race car driver. McMurray is best known for winning the 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500 as a substitute driver in his second Winston Cup start, and is one of three drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same year...
. Even though there was some sadness in the team's hearts, Lewis finished 8th place in points, his first career top-10 showing.
Yet, Lewis' Cinderella story led to a new ride. Lewis would drive the solid #25 Marines Ford in 2005. The team had almost won the championship with Bobby Hamilton Jr. in 2003. Yet, 2005 did not go so well. He had a solid start, with four top-10s including a 4th at Talladega. He was even running fifth in points a third of the way into the year. However, the horseshoe fell out of Lewis' pocket in the rest of the season, with his only top-10 being an 8th at Charlotte. The summary of the season seemed to be a last-place finish in 2005's final race at Homestead-Miami.
Looking at 2006, it has been a so-so year for Lewis. He stayed with his team in hopes of getting better finishes. The team has struggled to this point, with a best finish of 11th at Nashville. Yet, the team has the plans to complete the full season, as Lewis Jr. continues to mature.
At the end of 2006, Ashton sat 15th in points with 2 top fives and 3 top ten finishes. Unfortunately, the sour results split Lewis and the #25 car and he has been left without a ride for the 2007 NASCAR season. Thus, 2007 plans and beyond are not known.