Indianapolis Raceway Park notes 2005-05-28

MICHAEL LEWIS WINS 60th ANNUAL COCA-COLA NIGHT BEFORE THE 500

INDIANAPOLIS (May 28, 2005) In a stunning last lap pass, Michael Lewis, of Noblesville, won the 60th Annual Coca-Cola Night Before the 500 at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Saturday. Lewis was able to get by Ron Gregory who dominated most of the race for his first win at IRP.

"There are three pavement races I've always wanted to win," said Lewis in victory lane. "To win this race and to win at IRP is great."

During a red flag period Lewis made the gamble to pit and get a new right rear tire to correct an ill handling race car. Lewis had to restart at the end of the field but the gamble paid off.

"I was hoping for the red flag and it just fell at the right time, I was planning to come in even if we didn't get the flag.

"Sometimes you just fall backwards into these things and that is what happened tonight."

For Gregory the second place finish was tough to take. "I didn't see Lewis until the white flag lap," said Lewis following the race. "I saw him stick his nose underneath me and once that happened I couldn't keep him behind me."

Also running during the evening were the Indy United Racing League, Stock Cars and Super Trucks and the USA Modifieds.

The first feature race of the night featured the Indy United Racing League (IURL) Super Truck division. In the 40-lap feature it was a tough battle between Joe Hill and Tom Miller for the second half of the feature but Hill was able to hold on for the win.

IURL 40-LAP STOCK TRUCKS FEATURE RESULTS
1. #39 Tom Miller
2. #29 Derek Price
3. #26 Kerry Roseman
4. #3 Jared Waldhoff
5. #70 Scott Brooks
6. #21 Ray Axsion
7. #12 Ed Lynn
8. #97 David Crabtree
9. #23 Mike Hayes
10. #31 Matt Thompson
11. #53 Jim Blankinbaker

The second feature was the IURL Stock Car division in a 20-lap race. Going into turn one a massive wreck caught up six cars and ended their night early. During the race Steve Blair rode the high line and was able to take the win.

IURL 20-LAP STOCK CARS FEATURE RESULTS
1. #6 Steve Blair
2. #36 Jerome Branscum
3. #12 Steve Blankenship
4. #1 Tim Ewers
5. #7 Robert Dumke
6. #16 Brian Bradley
7. #83 Curtis Clark
8. #20 Chad Gaskill

The third race on the schedule was the USA Modifieds in 50-laps of wheel to wheel racing action. Harold Scott started in the fourth position and was able to quickly move to the front for the lead position. A late caution slowed Scott but he was able to hold off a hard charging Rodney Scott for the win.

USA MODIFIDES 50-LAP FEATURE RESULTS
1. #96 Harold Scott
2. #97 Rodney Scott
3. #6 Mike Stacey
4. #5 Dave Stacey
5. #34 Steve Christman
6. #1 Gary Bedell
7. #17 Brent Hook
8. #17 Scotty Tomasik
9. #7 Jason Dietsch
10. #29 Jeff Weston
11. #14 Tim Burkett
12. #47 Bud Adams
13. #04 Mike Hadley
14. #69 R. J. Norton Jr.
15. #3 Joe Wright
16. #09 Don Skaggs
17. #28 Scott Coe
18. #20 Greg Stapleton
19. #85 Dan Parker
20. #61 Brad Springer
21. #03 Jim Begley
22. #8 Chris Neuenschwander
23. #91 Shawn Gray
24. #00 Brian Lolmaugh
25. #38 Mike Martin
26. #64 Danny Williams
27. #24 Cory Setser
28. #30 Mark Thurman
29. #31 Johnny Hargraves
30. #124 Bud Gray III
31. #0 Damon Breedlove

One of five drag racing facilities owned and operated by the National Hot Rod Association, IRP was built in 1960 and has presented organized racing events since 1961. From March through October, the facility hosts more than 120 dates of racing on three tracks, a quarter-mile drag strip, a .686-mile paved oval and a 2.5-mile road course. Home to drag racing's biggest event, the NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend, the drag strip runs more than 50 days of point-to-point action, from national events to street legal community programs. The oval track draws racing's biggest events, including annual visits from the NASCAR Busch, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and three annual USAC races. The road course provides a home for several racing sanctions, such as SCCA, while providing an ideal resource for driving schools, corporate outings and open-road tests for professional drivers.

- IRP -