PWC: Lewis joins Calvert Dynamics for two races

After being sidelined by the decision of his EFFORT Racing team to suspend operations, Michael Lewis will return to the Pirelli World Challenge GT series for the next two rounds at Road America (June 23-26) and Mid-Ohio (July 29-30) in the same same Porsche 911 GT3 R, now with the No. 98 and entered by Calvert Dynamics. Lewis will team with Andrew Davis and Preston Calvert in the team's expanded three-car lineup, with support from Phoenix Performance.

Lewis scored back-to-back wins on the streets of St. Petersburg with his EFFORT Porsche. He will bring along engineer Stefan Pfeiffer as well as crew members to the expanded Calvert Dynamics program of twin Porsche 911 GT3 Rs in addition to the team's GT3 Cup Porsche.

"We're back. Discount Tire, Circle Porsche, Curb Records, and Calvert Dynamics, thank you," said Lewis (left). "For Road America and Mid-Ohio, we're going to have some fun and represent our partners in the most professional way.

"Racing is a big family and it's really nice to be able to work with so many great people who are, well, family. Thank you to Dr. Preston Calvert for this opportunity, and I look forward to teaming up with Andrew Davis to get our Porsches on top," he continued. "For these two races we will be running the famed No. 98, which has much history with Curb Records and the Agajanian family. Let's see if we can have the same luck as the No. 98 had in this year's Indianapolis 500."

"While we were sad to learn that EFFORT Racing was unable to continue its season in PWC for 2016, we are happy to be able to welcome Michael Lewis to our team for the Elkhart Lake and Mid-Ohio rounds of the season," said team principal Preston Calvert. "He will bring his excellent racing ability and dedication to our paddock, along with his engineer, Stefan Pfeiffer, and crew members with whom he has been working this year. We are proud to have Michael racing in the Calvert Dynamics livery, and we look forward to successful results from both of our outstanding GT drivers."

Andrew Davis said: "I had the privilege to work with Michael a few times as he was transitioning from open-wheel racecars into Porsche GT machines. I was instantly impressed with both his attitude and his ability, so it's no surprise to me that he has already become a race winner in the Pirelli World Challenge. Having Michael join our Calvert Dynamics program is very exciting. I feel that having a solid teammate will help to strengthen our current effort to optimize performance in our No. 76 Porsche GT3 R. Congruently, it breathes new life into Michael's previously interrupted season. I'm very much looking forward to our new beginning at Road America, and I want to thank Preston and Meg Calvert for making it all possible."

"Our ability to add Michael Lewis to our team highlights the careful and precise planning that the Phoenix Performance organization provides to our racing efforts," Calvert added. "Joe and Andrew Aquilante have worked quickly and effectively to mobilize the resources to accomplish this merging of team assets. We are happy to welcome EFFORT team manager Erin Gahagan to our leadership group, along with master technician Dave Gahagan. Calvert Dynamics is fortunate to have the support of such a capable leadership team."