Lewis, Newton can't be stopped at RNM

The Roger Newton Memorial is a staple in each year’s ERCU racing schedule.

And even Covid couldn’t stop it.

Twenty boats were in the pits for the 2020 Roger Newton Memorial, Saturday, Nov. 7 at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey.

But speaking of couldn’t be stopped…in vintage and classic, it was Brad Lewis who pretty much couldn’t be stopped.

Even when his 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto submarined at the launch for the classic final, he still went out and won it.

When the final hit the water, Lewis was piloting the trailer boat after having won the classic connie. But after another boat was DQ’d during the mill, he was able to move up and start from the front line. That’s all he needed as his start was terrific and the Oberto proved to be the fastest classic boat on the water that day.

Lewis was followed by David Newton with the 1985 Squire Shop in second, and in third by Gerry Bordon with the 1974 Miss U.S.

Lewis’s good fortune didn’t stop there.

His 1962 Miss Supertest was easily the fastest vintage boat all day, and the final was no different. Lewis won easily, with Bill Mowatt in second, driving Rick Evans’ 1963 Miss Bardahl. Gerry Bordon in the 1970 Parco’s O-Ring Miss, Jerry Dunlap in the 1957 Hawaii Kai III and Robbie Roberts in the 1971 Hallmark Homes did not finish the final.

In the modern final, it was Newton himself who took home the trophy with his dad’s name on it. Newton collected his second race victory in two events, piloting Harry Gatjens’ model of the 1986 Miss Budweiser “Bubble Bud”. Second in the modern final went to Joey Caines, driving Jim Bakke’s 2013 Graham Trucking. David Heilbrunn with the 2019 J&D’s and Paul Dunlap with the 2015 Dalton Industries were both unable to finish