Hudson N.H.-Billy Clement Sr. won the “Mighty” Mike Lewis Memorial race this past Monday Sept 5th at Hudson International Speedway.
The race honored the longtime Hudson/Star competitor who lost his life in a tragic accident while working on his racecar in the garage. Lewis was a fierce competitor who started racing in 1988 and by 1992 had honed his skills enough to win the championship in the Strictly Stocks division. His battles with Dean Weber for the championship that season were epic and tempers flared on a few occasions between the two. Lewis moved up to the Street Stock division after his championship and while the wins weren’t as plentiful as in the Strictly Stocks, the smile Lewis always had while at the speedway remained.
Lewis was the only son of Norma and Richard Lewis but Lewis was blessed with six loving sisters. Lewis left behind a wife and two sons who will forever have him in their hearts. It’s been 13 years since we lost Mike Lewis but his memory will never be forgotten by those whose lives he touched.
The Lewis Memorial race was held in two segments. The first was twenty laps and the second was twenty five laps with the winner being determined by combining the finishes. Billy Clement Sr. was one of just a few drivers left at Hudson who raced with Lewis so it was fitting that he won the race. Clement Sr. hadn’t been driving much in recent years because he was focusing his attention on getting his son started in racing. Billy Clement Jr. must have been paying attention to his dad because he finished second overall. After the Clements it was John Morin Jr. , Steve Dickey Jr., Scotty “Two-time” Duval. Roger Tanguay Sr. was sixth. Tanguay was upstaged in the Tanguay household by his grandson who won one of the kid’s bike races earlier in the afternoon.
The Thunder Lights were knocking each other around again with Chad Wendell coming out on top. Justin Beecher was second followed by Jarod Soucy.
Keith Caruso won the caution free V6 Modified main. Allen Reiser Jr. was second and William Wallace third.
Loren Smith Jr. made a rare appearance at HIS and was the fastest in the Roadrunners. Smith Jr. took over the lead just past the midway point and wasn’t challenged after that. Johnny Reefer was second. Jen Lord has been running fantastic and finished a solid third. Look for Jen to get that breakthrough win real soon. Jen’s dad Tommy Lord finished fourth and Matt Lombard in his always cornering VW was fifth.
Bob Murphy won the Grand Enduro followed by Corrie Merritt, Barry Schonborg, David McCarthy and Roland Laplante.
Paul Wainwright won the 4 Cyl. Enduro followed by Issac Chabot, James Genlakis, Andrew Harmon and Jay Kezer.
Scotty “Two-Time” Duval won the Flagpole Race.