By Meredith Burns, Special to the Independent
Laguna Beach native Michael Lewis swept both races of the Pirelli World Challenge on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., last weekend, March 12 and 13.
In Rounds 3 and 4, Lewis led every lap and took the overall victory in each race, says a statement. He set the fastest qualifying lap with a time of 1:13.017, establishing a new track record.
Lewis drove a Porsche 911 for Effort Racing. “Thanks to them for not only making the car quick, but for also preparing my teammate Patrick Long’s car,” after his No. 31 Porsche was damaged in an earlier race.
Lewis crossed the finish by more than 10 seconds over the second-place finisher on Saturday. Sunday’s race was the opposite of the caution-free event a day earlier when two competitors separately hit barriers, which caused lengthy yellow-flag caution periods to clean up the track. When the green flag waved again, only two laps remained. Lewis kept his No. 41 Porsche out front to take another victory.
Lewis competes at home next month as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, on Sunday, April 17.
