With only seven races left in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series, the ownership of Lewis Motorsports made the crucial decision to cease operation at the conclusion of the 2004 season. Lewis Motorsports has been without primary sponsorship since the end of the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series when the Civil Air Patrol announced they were leaving the sport. Since that time, owner Ashton Lewis, Sr. has monetarily supported the program in hopes of finding sponsorship to continue through the 2004 season and beyond. With only seven races left, it has become evident that there is little possibility of a primary sponsor coming on board at Lewis Motorsports. “Regretfully, Lewis Motorsports can not continue to operate without sponsorship past the final event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway,” said owner Ashton Lewis, Sr. “Our sponsorship search has been unsuccessful, so we have no choice but to close the doors at the end of the season. I do not foresee a sponsor coming to us with sufficient sponsorship dollars to spend, so we announced our decision to the team today.”
“With the rising costs of racing, it is hard for an independent team, Without additional resources, to make it these days,” continued Lewis, Sr. “It is only fair that we give our employees time to find jobs within the industry before next season.”
Lewis Motorsports was formed in 1999 by Ashton Lewis, Sr. (owner) and his two sons Ashton Lewis, Jr. (driver) and Charlie Lewis (crew chief). Since 1999, Lewis Motorsports has become a competitive force on the NASCAR Busch Series circuit. In 2001, Lewis Motorsports competed in their first full NASCAR Busch Series season, with two top-five and three top-10 finishes. The 2002 season saw the team with one top-five and seven top-10 finishes. In the 2003 NBS season, the team scored their first Busch Series career pole position at Gateway International Raceway, as well as two top-five finishes, 10 top-10 finishes and 23 top-20 finishes. Lewis Motorsports finished 14th in the NBS Owner Points and driver Ashton Lewis, Jr. finished 12th in the driver’s standings. As the 2004 season nears the end, driver Ashton Lewis, Jr. is poised for his best finish to date in the NASCAR Busch Series driver’s point standings. He is currently in 11th position, one point out of 10th.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever been a part of,” said Lewis, Jr. “All of our employees have worked hard to make Lewis Motorsports a success, and to know that it is coming to an end is devastating to me.” Lewis, Jr. has no definite plans for the upcoming season, but he hopes to stay behind the wheel. “I have had discussion with a few team owners about driving for them. I have also had discussions about getting back into the mechanical side by using my engineering degree and working as a team engineer,” Lewis, Jr. stated. “Either way, I plan to stay in motorsports in some capacity.” With the rising costs of racing, it is hard to find sponsors willing to make the multi-million dollar obligations to single car teams, therefore, resulting in more multi-car and less single car operations. “What led to our demise? The cost of racing competitively in the NASCAR Busch Series has reached four-million per season, a ludicrous amount of money considering what the purse is per event,” said crew chief and co-owner Charlie Lewis. “I feel that the Busch team of the future consists of a 20 to 25 man team, a NEXTEL cup driver, backed by a NEXTEL Cup organization, on a five to six million dollar budget. The small, independent team of 12 people trying to win races without primary sponsorship, without manufacturer factory support and without a NEXTEL Cup team affiliation, but a loving father, is like going to bat against Roger Clemens with a wiffle ball bat.”
“It does not leave much of a chance for success, but I truly believe
we in the Lewis Motorsports family had a tremendous amount of success
in five years,” Charlie Lewis continued. “It may not show in the win
column, top-10’s or money won, but it shows in the hearts and minds of
all the fantastic people who have worked for and supported this race
team. Every hour and dollar spent on this adventure has been so
worthwhile in my book. The memories, friendships and knowledge gained
through this experience have been truly priceless. I can not thank my
family, the Civil Air Patrol and all the employees who have come and
gone enough for the past five years.”
As stated, Lewis Motorsports will continue to run the last seven races
in the NASCAR Busch Series, hoping for their first victory and a
strong finish to their final season.
“There is nothing in the world that would make me happier than winning
a race for my father, brother and the team,” said Ashton Lewis, Jr.
“In the final seven races, we are going to try our hardest to make a
trip to victory lane. A win would be one way of thanking my father,
brother and the team members for all of their hard work and
dedication, and it would be a great way to bring our final season to a
close.”(Lewis Motorsports PR)
ALSO: Jame ince, who was a consultant for the team and is continuing to help with setup’s is looking for a Nextel Cup Oppurtunity.(10-1-2004)
