M. Lewis joins K-PAX for SprintX

In anticipation of the new Pirelli World Challenge SprintX GT Championship Series, which include five races this season, K-PAX Racing has signed Michael Lewis. The team will see Michael Lewis co-drive with Mike Hedlund in their No. 98 McLaren 650S GT3 race car, for the extended sprint format events. Unlike the normal 50-minute races, the 60-minute SprintX races will feature mandatory driver changes.

"We brought a strong line-up to defend our GT championship, now we are prepared to fight for the SprintX Championship as well," said Program Manager Darren Law. "McLaren GT has provided us excellent support, and it strengthens our efforts to see that support flow into our SprintX program with Ben (Barnicoat) and Jonny (Kane). Michael has proven himself over the years and has always been a class act, and we are also proud to welcome him on board."

Last season Michael participated in the inaugural season of the Pirelli World Challenge SprintX Championship. In 2017 he will join fellow California native Mike Hedlund in the No. 98 McLaren 650S GT3, which features a carbon monocell chassis, and a 600-horsepower, 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine. The main sponsors of the No. 98 are K-PAX Racing, The Smile Generation, ASE and Cometic Gasket.

Lewis and Hedlund are entered in the Pro-Am category of SprintX. While the cars are the same as the Pro-Pro line-ups, the Pro-Am cars must respect a different set of pit stop rules, which require the Pro-Am cars to be held on pit lane longer compared to their Pro-Pro counterparts. Regardless of pit time requirement, the duo will still challenge competitors as they seek fast times and finishes at the front of the field.

Lewis, 26, started racing quarter midgets in 2003 before moving to domestic and international kart racing in 2005. After competing many years in formula cars, such as Formula BMW and F3, his participation in sports cars began in 2013, when he was only one of four drivers to be invited to the Porsche Young Driver Academy; a two-day Porsche Motorsport GT3 test at Barber Motorsports Park. He joined the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup the following season, placing as the top-finishing rookie. Lewis then proved to be strong competition in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class in the subsequent years, again placing as the top rookie in 2015. In 2016, he dominated on the Streets of St. Petersburg, winning both pole positions and both races on the downtown street circuit, and he claimed additional pole positions and victories in the inaugural year of SprintX.

"It is exciting to join K-PAX Racing, as they are a professional and a strong organization," said Lewis. "Teaming up with Mike Hedlund is an honor, as he has much experience driving GT cars. I look forward to racing alongside Mike, and the other great drivers on this team, in the McLaren 650S. Thank you to everyone who has helped develop my career to this point. I sincerely appreciate all that you have done. I look forward to another fun year of racing in the Pirelli World Challenge with K-PAX Racing!"

A total of 10 race events will see the No. 98 K-PAX Racing, The Smile Generation McLaren race car in action. Hedlund will compete in five single-driver races, then he will join Lewis for the SprintX events. Catch the action all season long to see The Smile Generation, ASE, and Cometic Gasket sponsored No. 98 McLaren 650S GT3 contend for victories in the Pro-Am category.