Andrew Lewis, Jr. Scores First RoC Sportsman Win at Spencer

The Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series welcomed a new winner to victory lane on Friday, as Andrew Lewis, Jr. scored the season-opening win at Spencer Speedway.

Lewis, Jr. led all 35 laps of the Sportsman Modified feature to kick off the 2025 campaign. The win came against a field of 22 competitors, including his father, Andy, Sr., and uncle, Daryl Lewis, Jr.

"After Lake Erie last year, me and my dad built a new car," said Lewis, Jr. in victory lane. "I don't know what to say."

While Lewis, Jr. had the car to beat, several restarts throughout the race kept him on his toes. However, he was able to hold on to the lead, giving the two-time RoC 602 Modified Series champion his first win in the Sportsman Modified division.

"I just had to time them right, and hope I cleared them by the start/finish line."

Kevin Timmerman, last year's series champion, started his title defense with a runner-up finish. He showed some speed late in the race after trying some different lines, but couldn't close the gap in time.

"I was playing with some things," said Timmerman. "Andy ran a nice race. I was a little too tight in the center. Sort of killed my forward drive a little bit. The last few laps, I started playing with my line. Probably should have done that about 10 laps earlier. I think I could have found something there."

Daryl Lewis, Jr. finished third, joining his nephew on the podium. He is looking forward to more Sportsman Modified races in a new car for the 2025 season.

"We had a good battle going on, that was fun," he said. "This class is always fun to me. We struggled last year with a car we had. I was over it. We built one this year. We didn't know what to expect, we didn't have any practice on it or anything. It ran well, I was happy with it."

He's also excited by the passion for the sport he sees in many of the young drivers joining and climbing the RoC ranks, including his nephew.

"He lives, eats and sleeps racing. He has our passion like when I was 16 and 17, my brother and I. We've got these youngins coming in now. At first, you kind of think you've got these young kids coming in, but they can wheel. That's all you can ask for. As long as they race you clean, I'm good."

Mason Hanel finished fourth, with Shawn Nye rounding out the top five.

Other feature winners on the evening at Spencer included Joey VanLare (RoC 602 Sportsman), Scott Wylie (RoC Late Models), Tommy Barron (RoC Super Stocks), and Blake Giglio (Four-Cylinder/Six Shooter Combined Feature).

The next stop for the RoC Sportsman Modifieds is The BullRing at Wyoming County International Speedway for the Father's Day 40. The Super Stocks, 602 Sportsman and FOAR Score Four-Cylinder Dash Series will also be part of the event on Saturday, June 14.

-Photo credit: MoJo Photos/Race of Champions

RoC Sportsman Modifieds at Spencer Unofficial Results