(NEWS RELEASE)

Lewis competed on a Van Way Racing KTM 450SMR sponsored by AXO, Matrix Concepts, Kicker Audio and Violation Goggles

WEST BRANCH, Mich. (July 25, 2012) – The last time Johnny Lewis threw a leg over a supermoto race bike was May 2009 in Las Vegas. On Friday, July 20 at the Taco Bell Ogemaw Hills Supermoto Spectacular, he was impressive in his return to the unique racing discipline of asphalt and dirt on a temporary course in downtown West Branch, Mich. Lewis convincingly won both pro main events on a Van Way Racing KTM 450SMR in front of thousands of spectators who lined the sidewalks and streets.

Lewis and his wife, Alysha, began the journey to Michigan on Wednesday, July 18 when they met up with Dillon Van Way and the Van Way Racing team to shake down the KTM at the BeaverRun facility in Pennsylvania. Van Way would also serve as Lewis’ teammate at the West Branch supermoto race. During the past three seasons, Lewis has been concentrating on the dirt ovals and TT events, winning his first AMA Pro Grand National Championship flat track race in Daytona earlier this year. After hearing about the Taco Bell Ogemaw Hills Supermoto Spectacular, he had numerous conversations with the Van Way’s to make a one-off return to supermoto on the downtown streets.

Lewis had one of his best racing experiences at this event. He shared afterward, “Thanks to the MISuperMoto crew for an awesome time in West Branch. So great to have a track completely wrapped with excited fans. The young fans were the best part. I gave my first place four foot trophy to an awesome 10 year-old fan. It was also great to walk around the town earlier in the day before the track was even built and meet the wonderful store owners to hear how much they loved the racing.”

“I want to thank the Van Ways, especially Chris Van Way, for making this race a possibility,” added Lewis who raced the KTM using his AMA Pro GNC national number 10. “Also, AXO stepped in with a set of matching gear for me and Dillon Van Way who also raced. Factory Pro Racing gave me a set of Bridgestone supermoto slicks. Matrix Concepts provided us with products like the M2 Worx Stand as well as its 1.7 Cleaning Solutions. Violation Goggles hooked me up with a couple pair of their Felony model goggles. Kicker Audio sent along some swag for the fans.”

The Taco Bell Ogemaw Hills Supermoto Spectacular is in its second year where the downtown streets are turned into a temporary racing circuit. The course features the use of main street, a temporary dirt section in a parking lot, a high-speed straightaway on a side street, and a temporary dirt tabletop on main street. Spectators are encouraged to attend and see the unique event by offering free spectator viewing. The event brings both exposure to the unique form of supermoto and introduces people to the community of West Branch including its businesses.

The racing began with a six-lap heat race to set the grids. Lewis, who hails from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was on his orange, black and white Van Way Racing KTM 450SMR in the third row. He bulleted from the start and was immediately passing other riders on the first lap. With lap one in the books, he was in third behind two fast racers, Adam Beldyga from Clio, Michigan and Chase Guthrie from Mentone, Indiana. Lewis would pass Guthrie about halfway into the race. He then hounded Beldyga to the end where he crossed the line just shy of first place.

During the parade laps of both pro main events, Lewis would throw out Kicker branded lanyards to the fans as he made his way around the course. He would also entertain them with wheelies and stoppies (front wheel wheelies).

Lewis was on the front row in the first 12-lap pro main event in his new AXO black and white Scatter gear. His teammate, Van Way, was on the third row on his number 600 KTM 450SMR in matching AXO gear. Lewis nearly holeshot the start. He was behind Guthrie entering the dirt section. Lewis soon passed Guthrie during the early going and started gapping the field where he was making time on the fast asphalt straightaway and clearing the 50-foot temporary dirt tabletop on main street. Lewis went on to win the first pro main.

In the second 12-lap pro main, that ended the night of racing in front of the nearly capacity crowd, Lewis gridded in the same position on the first row as he did in the first pro main. He slingshot from the starting line and into the lead in his all black Arai helmet with his Violation Goggles. Backing-it-in on the side streets and main street using the slick traction of his Bridgestone tires thanks to Factory Pro Racing. Main street in West Branch is also Michigan M-55 highway. Lewis would get faster each lap and win the race several seconds in front of second place.

“It was a blast to get back on the slicks again. There were a bunch of other fast guys who made the trip to Michigan too. Guthrie and Beldyga were on their game. I can see why Guthrie is leading the Michigan Supermoto Championship. Thanks to Chris and Dillon [Van Way], Timmy Tyler and Corey Mouton for helping me out. A big thanks to the fans and my sponsors. I hope to get on a supermoto bike again soon!”

Lewis and his wife would conclude their weekend by going with the Van Way’s to New Jersey Motorsports Park to watch Dillon Van Way win his first Rally America RallyCross event in the 2WD Class in his Ford Racing Focus.

Lewis will return to flat track racing next month at the famed Peoria TT, round nine of the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com. Due to the cost of traveling to the West Coast, he will miss the next two rounds. Race fans come to Peoria on Sunday, August 12 to watch Lewis on his Scott Powersports/DRD Honda CRF450R. Keep up with Lewis on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lewis10 and his website at www.lewis10.com.

About Johnny Lewis
Professional athlete Johnny Lewis of Coatesville, Pennsylvania has been competing in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship (GNC) for the past three seasons, earning eighth during the 2011 season with three podiums and a race lead. Prior to flat track, Lewis raced in the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship for three full seasons, two as a factory rider, where he was the youngest to ever win in the Unlimited Class. He won many championships, accolades and races as an amateur dirt track competitor. In 2012, the 22 year-old Lewis will race the #10 Scott Powersports/DRD/Pit Posse Honda CRF450F in AMA Pro Flat Track Singles events and the #10 Scott Powersports/Saddlemen Kawasaki Ninja 650 custom flat tracker in AMA Pro Flat Track Twins races. Lewis is thankful for his sponsors that make the 2012 season possible: Scott Powersports, Saddlemen, Dubach Racing Development (DRD), AXO, Arai, Simply Hart, Pit Posse, Silkolene, Matrix Concepts, 1.7 Cleaning Solutions, Penske Racing Shocks, G2 Ergonomics, Triple J Racing, Wallace Trucking, Ringer Gloves, K&N Filters, ALL Balls and Metro Racing. Visit http://www.lewis10.com to follow Johnny Lewis’ season.

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