Shane Lewis Returns to Mini for Lime Rock Holiday Event

LAKEVILLE, Conn., May 24, 2006 � Shane Lewis was announced today as lead driver of the No. 20 Mini USA.com/ G-Dezine Ltd/ Hawk Performance Brakes/ Red Line Oil Nuzzo Motorsports Mini Cooper S for Saturday's Grand-Am Cup ST event at Lime Rock Park. The Memorial Day weekend event is a return for the Jupiter, Fla.-resident to the Nuzzo Mini. Lewis set several major milestones for the Mini Cooper S while racing the car for Nuzzo in 2003 and 2004. He became the first driver to put the BMW-built, British classic on the pole position for a major event in North America (Homestead-Miami, '04), the first driver to lead a lap in the car in North America (Homestead-Miami, '04) and the first driver to set a track record in a major North American event (Virginia International Raceway, '03). Lewis, who has won several events in the Grand-Am Cup Series, hopes to add to that list with a victory at the 1.54-mile road course in Lakeville, Conn. Lewis will co-drive with team owner Tony Nuzzo (Glen Head, NY) in the 200-mile event. “I'm thrilled to be back in the Mini and with Team Nuzzo,” said Lewis. “Together we've had some great results and I'm really hoping to bring the team their first victory here at Lime Rock. I know it won't be easy with all the tough competitors, world class drivers, new cars and new manufacturers but I have always loved a challenge.” Despite being a regular in Grand-Am Cup competition since its inception, this is Lewis' first start in the Grand-Am Cup Series in 2006. He has two podium finishes this season in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve driving the No. 3 TrueChoice/ PAP-Parts BMW-Riley for Southard Motorsports. His most recent podium came at the Rolex Series Daytona Prototype event at Phoenix International Raceway. Joined by Craig Stanton (Long Beach, Calif.), Lewis finished third at Phoenix on May 13. Lewis helped develop the Mini Cooper S for Nuzzo Motorsports through the 2004 season. The short and tight Lime Rock Park facility should favor the short wheelbase, supercharged Mini Cooper S. The race can be listened to live on Grand American's web site beginning at 2:45 PM (EDT), Saturday, May 27. Live timing and scoring of all sessions and the race can be found at www.GrandAmerican.comFor more on Shane Lewis please see www.ShaneLewis.comInformation on Nuzzo Motorsports is at www.NuzzoMotorsports.comSouthard Motorsports can be found at www.SouthardMotorsports.com