BUSCH: Michigan: Ashton Lewis, Jr preview

Last Race - (Kroger 200)- Lewis, Jr. and the No. 46 Civil Air Patrol Racing team posted a 34th place finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park on August 2. After starting 13th, Lewis, Jr. was running sixth when an accident with Kyle Busch sent him into the outside retaining wall on lap 127. Lewis, Jr.'s car suffered too much damage to continue in the event.

Standings - Lewis, Jr. is 14th in the NASCAR Busch Series Drivers' Points Standings. Team owner William Lewis, holds the 15th spot in the Owners' Points standings.

No. 46 CAP Racing Crew Member Makes Racing Debut:
Tab Boyd, long-time Lewis Motorsports employee and spotter for Lewis, Jr., made his Super Late Model debut this weekend at Concord Motorsports Park. After qualifying 8th, Boyd went on to post a 12th place finish in the event. He'll make his second start in the series September 6, 2003.

Taking A Weekend Off To Help Others:
Lewis, Jr. and (Charlie) Lewis used their weekend off as an opportunity to help others. The brothers participated in the Lou Holtz 5K Charity Run in Columbia, SC on Saturday for the Lou Holtz foundation.

Ashton Lewis, Jr. on Michigan International Speedway:
"After a disappointing weekend there last year, we are really looking forward to going back. Last year we tested at Michigan and stumbled upon a set-up that worked really well for us. When we got there for the race, we qualified 15th but we lost Happy Hour due to rain. The morning of the race we got a little nervous about the set-up and made some changes, which proved to be a huge mistake. We were bad loose at the drop of the green flag and then blew an engine about halfway through the event. This year, we won't make the same mistakes. We're taking what we learned at our test there last year and combining it with some of what we learned at Chicago this year and incorporating both into what we feel is a really good package.

Michigan is a smooth, wide, fast race track where you can run several different grooves. You have a lot more leeway when it comes to the handling of the car. From a driver's standpoint, you have the ability to help yourself out simply by changing what lines you are running. You can adjust your line to compensate for what the car is or isn't doing, whether that's running down on the inside line or up against the wall."

Crew Chief, Charlie Lewis on Michigan International Speedway:
"A lot of factors come into play at Michigan including horsepower, handling, and aerodynamics. If you can nail down the right combination you are guaranteed a good day. One thing you have to keep in mind at Michigan is fuel economy. Races at Michigan often boil down to fuel mileage so that will have a big impact on our pit strategy throughout the race. I have a lot of confidence heading to Michigan. We have a great car with a brand new body, a great motor program, a pit crew that has made some major improvements and a driver who really enjoys racing at this track. I think that with a little bit of luck it should be a great weekend for us."

Equipment:
The No. 46 Civil Air Patrol Racing team will compete with chassis No. 12 this weekend in the Cabela's 250. This is the same chassis that Lewis, Jr. drove in earlier events this season at Las Vegas (27th) and California (12th) and Dover (22nd). The chassis has recently been hung with a brand new body.

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