Lewis wins at Atlanta, captures championship

ATLANTA -- Racing fans cheered on NASCAR big rig drivers at the Atlanta Motor Speedway today as competitors tackled the final obstacle on the road to the title of the 2002 "International Truck Challenge" champion.

Bill "Stumpy" Lewis, driver for No. 77 Dave Blaney for Jasper Motorsports roared into victory lane with a total of 170 out of 200 points, to win this season's overall competition.

The 2001 champion, Barry Sheppard, driver for Elliot Sadler's No. 21 car for Wood Brothers Racing team, put up an impressive time of 124.826 to get things off to a exciting start, but it was Lewis with a time of 116.909 who won this fourth event and the $1000 cash prize presented to the winner of each individual race.

While all the drivers brought intensity and a competitive nature to the final event, Lewis rose above the competition to claim the coveted title of 2002 "International Truck Challenge" champion and the $25,000 grand prize that goes along with it. Lewis' dedication and determination helped him to accumulate the most points throughout the season's four events, proving that hard work does pay.

"Throughout the entire 2002 International Truck Challenge season, all of these transport drivers displayed the skills necessary be to a champion," said Steve Keate, president, truck group, International Truck and Engine Corporation. "Apparently while getting drivers from track to track safely, they're taking notes and getting racing tips from their teams along the way!

International is proud to congratulate this year's champion, Bill Lewis, and to share an event like the International Truck Challenge with the NASCAR teams and fans alike."

International Truck and Engine Corporation teamed up with NASCAR to give Winston Cup's behind-the-scenes drivers a chance to demonstrate their capabilities on the racetrack driving a top-of-the-line International 9400i tractor-trailer. Together, International and NASCAR came up with the four-event, timed obstacle course, as part of a four-year sponsorship agreement between the two companies.

The challenge tests a variety of tough truck driving skills with two intricate 180-degree turns, two slalom runs, a series of tethered barriers and a simulated loading dock. The competition awards points to drivers for skillfully maneuvering through the obstacle course while racing against the clock. Truly exceptional driving is awarded with bonus points, but mistakes result in deductions.

If the first two years of competition were any indication of what's to come, the International Truck Challenge will continue to find its popularity growing with both drivers and NASCAR fans alike, as well as, continuing to build on the strong relationship between International and NASCAR.