Bio

Profile:

Name: Michael James Lewis
Nürburgring: Permit A Nordschleife
FIA License Rating: Gold
Occupation: Professional Race Car Driver
Nationality: American
Date and Place of Birth: December 24, 1990 in Laguna Beach, California USA
College: Graduated From California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelors Degree in American Studies
Languages: English and generally understands Italian
Height: 6 ft. .5 in. / 183 cm
Standard Weight: 145 lb / 66 kg
Driving Weight: 154 lb / 70 kg
Gender Identity: Male 
Hobbies: Mountain Biking, Gokarting, and Simulator Driving
Website: www.mjlracing.com


Racing Career at a Glance:

2023: Nürburgring 24 Hours Race May 20th P29 Overall out of 131 cars, P2 in class (Hyundai 1-2 finish) Car #831 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Driving with Harry Gottsacker, Mason Filippi, and Taylor Hagler. Pole Position in class. It was earned by Michael doing one flying lap on the last lap of qualifying three. His time was a 9:00.290, which earned the car #831 P2 in class starting position, P55 overall. The pole position car did a 8:56.371, but was given a grid place penalty for contact. As a result, Michael’s #831 car earned the pole position in TCR for the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race. Michael also did the fastest time in the #831 in the 24h race at a 9:05.712.

Nürburgring 24h Qualifying Races April 21st Car #831 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Race 1 P24 Overall out of 62 cars, P2 in class (Hyundai 1-2 finish); Race 2 P29 Overall out of 62 cars, P2 in class (Hyundai 1-2 finish); driving with Harry Gottsacker, Mason Filippi, and Taylor Hagler. VT2 FWD Class Driving Hyundai i30 N VT2 Car: NLS 1 March 18th P11 in class, NLS 2 April 1st P4 in class, and NLS 3 April 15th P4 in class driving with Harry Gottsacker, Mason Filippi, Taylor Hagler, and Junesung Park. IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the #1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Race Car. Michael was teammates with Taylor Hagler.

2022: IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the Hyundai Elantra N TCR Race Car. Michael Lewis and teammate Taylor Hagler, paired together in the #1 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Elantra N TCR Race Car, finished P1 in the Drivers’ and Team’s Championship for BHA. Hyundai finished P1 in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Michael and Taylor went back-to-back in winning the 2021 and the 2022 Drivers’ and Team’s Championships. In 2022, they scored 1 win at VIR and 6 other podium finishes. This is the second Drivers’ Championship in cars for Taylor and this is the third Drivers’ Championship in cars for Michael.

2021: IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the Hyundai Veloster N TCR Race Car. Michael Lewis and teammate Taylor Hagler, paired together in the #77 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Veloster N TCR Race Car, finished P1 in the Drivers’ and Team’s Championship for BHA. Hyundai finished P1 in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Michael and Taylor together scored 1 win and 5 other podium finishes this year. This is the first Drivers’ Championship in cars for Taylor and this is Michael Lewis’ second Drivers’ Championship (the first scored in 2019 with Mark Wilkins).

2020: IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the Hyundai Veloster N TCR Race Car. Michael Lewis and teammate Mason Filippi, paired together in the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Veloster N TCR Race Car, finished P3 in the Drivers’ Championship and Team’s Championship for BHA. Hyundai finished P1 in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Michael and Mason together scored 2 wins and 1 other podium finish this year. Michael and Mason were in contention for the championship, leading the series points standings going into the final two races. However, they were taken out of contention on the first lap of the final two races, ultimately finishing P3 in the Drivers’ and Team’s Championships.

2019: IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the Hyundai Veloster N TCR Race Car. Michael Lewis and teammate Mark Wilkins, paired together in the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Veloster N TCR Race Car, won the Drivers’ Championship and Team’s Championship for BHA. Hyundai finished P2 in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Michael and Mark together scored 3 wins and 2 other podium finishes this year. Michael scored 3 pole positions for the #98 when he was the qualifying driver. This is the first Drivers’ Championship in cars for both Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins.

2018: Pirelli World Challenge, TCR Class with Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian (BHA) using the Hyundai i30N TCR Race Car. The BHA Team earned the Team’s Championship, Hyundai earned the Manufacturers’ Championship, and Michael finished P2 in the Drivers’ Championship. Michael was teammates with Mark Wilkins for a two-car entry by Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian. Michael scored 4 wins, 6 poles, and scored 6 other podium finishes this year.

2017: Pirelli World Challenge, SprintX Pro-Pro and Pro-Am GT Class, with K-PAX Racing using a McLaren 650S GT3 Race Car. Michael first competed with the #98 McLaren in the Pro-Am GT Class and then he was moved to the #6 McLaren in the Pro-Pro Class with Bryan Sellers.

In addition to racing the McLaren, Michael teamed with Preston Calvert in two additional events in 2017. Those events were:

The inaugural ICGTC California 8-Hour event at Laguna Seca, in Preston Calvert’s Porsche 911 GT3R with the GMG Motorsports team.

A P2 finish, overall, at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in Preston Calvert’s 911 GT3 Cup Car with the Competition Motorsports/Calvert Dynamics team.

2016: Pirelli World Challenge, GT Class, partial season with EFFORT Racing/Curb-Agajanian and Calvert Dynamics/Curb-Agajanian Porsche 911 GT3 R

For the 2016 season, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) granted Michael with the status: “Porsche Motorsport North America Young Driver.” Michael was teammates with Patrick Long for a two-car entry by EFFORT Racing/Curb-Agajanian and Michael was teammates with Preston Calvert and Andrew Davis with Calvert-Dynamics/Curb-Agajanian.

Race 1-2 Qualified P7 / Finished P7
Race 3-4 St. Petersburg, Florida: Qualified P1 / Finished P1 (Fastest Porsche Driver)
Race 5 Long Beach, California: Qualified P6 / Finished P6
Race 6-7 Barber, Alabama: Qualified P3 / Finished P5 (Fastest Porsche Driver)
Race 12-13 Road America, Wisconsin: Qualified P11 / Finished P10
Race 14-15 Mid Ohio: Qualified P6 / Finished P6 (Fastest Porsche Driver)
Race 16-17 Miller Motorsports Park, Utah: Qualified P1 / Finished P4
Race 18-19 Sonoma, California: Qualified P6 / Finished P5 (Fastest Porsche Driver)
Race 20 Laguna Seca, California: Qualified 13 / Finished P11

*Participated in 2 out of 3 Sprint X Pirelli World Challenge races as well: Michael won two out of the six total races (only entering in four of the six races), with 2 pole positions and 3 fastest laps as well. Michael was always the fastest Porsche driver in Sprint X.

2015: Pirelli World Challenge, GT Class, with EFFORT Racing/Curb-Agajanian Porsche 911 GT3 R

Michael officially turned “Pro” status at the Round 4 Barber Motorsport Park event. For the 2015 season, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) granted Michael with the status: “Porsche Motorsport North America Young Driver.” Michael was teammates with Ryan Dalziel and Renger van der Zande for a two-car entry by EFFORT Racing. Results below are for the overall finishing position.

Race 1-2 Circuit of The Americas, Texas: Qualified P12 / Finished P5

Race 3-4 St. Petersburg, Florida: Qualified P15 / Finished P12

Race 5 Long Beach, California: Qualified P6 / Finished P4

Race 6-7 Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama: Qualified P3 / Finished P6

Race 8-9 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Canada: Qualified P9 / Finished P8

Race 10-11 Detroit, Michigan: Qualified P6 / Finished P7

Race 12-13 Road America, Wisconsin: Qualified P9 / Finished P5

Race 14-15 Mid Ohio: Qualified P4 / Finished P5

Race 16-17 Miller Motorsports Park, Utah: Qualified P4 / Finished P5

Race 18-19 Sonoma, California: Qualified P3 / Finished P11

Race 20 Laguna Seca, California: Qualified P8 / Finished P5 / Championship Position P8 (Top Rookie Honors)

2014: USA IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Championship, Platinum Class.

For the 2014 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, USA, Michael raced with a financial scholarship from IMSA, Yokohama Tire, and Porsche Motorsport North America. This scholarship was a result of his success at the exclusive Porsche Motorsport Young Driver Academy held at Barber Motorsports Park in November of 2013.

Race 1-2 Sebring, Florida: Qualified P8 / Finished P6 / Championship Position P7

Race 3-4 Laguna Seca, California: Qualified P1 / Finished P1 / Championship Position P2

Race 5-6 Lime Rock, Connecticut: Qualified P2 / Finished P3 / Championship Position P2

Race 7-8 Watkins Glen, New York: Qualified P3 / Finished P3 / Championship Position P3

Race 9-10 Mosport, Canada: Qualified P3 / Finished P4 / Championship Position P3

Race 11-12 Road America, Wisconsin: Qualified P1 / Finished P1 / Championship Position P3

* Participated in Oak Tree Grand Prix (GTD, GTLM). Finished P10 in GTD Class. Competed with GB Autosport as a substitute for their usual driver. Michael earned the ride and raced on merit.

Race 13-14 Circuit of The Americas: Qualified P1 / Finished P1 / Championship Position P3

Race 15-16 Road Atlanta: Qualified P2 / Finished P2 / Championship Position P3 (Crowned Rookie Champion)

2013: FIA European Formula 3 Championship – 8 Top 10 Finishes **while missing 2 complete championship race weekends, Monza & Brands Hatch** / P12 at Masters of Formula 3 Zandvoort Circuit Park / Supported by Mercedes-Benz HWA AG Junior Program in F3 / Invited to and completed the 2013 Porsche Young Driver Academy – 2 Day Porsche Motorsport GT3 test at Barber Motorsports Park **1 of only 4 drivers invited**

2012: Formula 3 Euro Series / FIA European Formula 3 Championship – Both championships were run together on the same weekends (Race 1 and 3 were FIA European F3 Races and Race 2 was a Formula 3 Euroseries race each weekend) – 1 Victory in Formula 3 Euro Series (Valencia), additional podiums on Brands Hatch, Red Bull Ring, and Zandvoort weekends between both championships, P8 in F3 Euroseries Championship and P9 in FIA European F3 Championship / Supported by Mercedes-Benz HWA AG Junior Program in F3

2011: Formula 3 Italia Championship – 1st Rookie & 2nd classified overall (3 Victories, 2 Pole Positions, 2 Fastest Laps, & 6 Total Podiums), Top 3 in Qualifying for nearly all races / Officially tested the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One F60 Chassis on 15.11.11 / Participated in 3 NASCAR Latemodel Stock Car Races in USA

2010: Formula BMW Europe Championship / Formula BMW Asia Championship – 6 Races (4 Podiums, Three 2nd classified & One 3rd classified) / Participated in 4 USAC Ford Focus Midget Races in USA (Numerous Main Event Wins, Heat Race Wins, & Pole Positions) / Participated in 2 NASCAR Latemodel Stock Car Races in USA

2009: Formula BMW Americas Championship – 1st Rookie & 4th classified (3 Podiums, One 2nd classified & Two 3rd classified) / Formula BMW Asia Championship – Two Races (1 Podium, 2nd classified) / Earned FBMW Scholarship for the following season from being Rookie Champion / Participated in 11 USAC Ford Focus Midget Races in USA (Numerous Main Event Wins, Heat Race Wins, & Pole Positions) / Participated in the 12-Hour of The Cascades in a BMW Touring Car – (Finished 2nd in class, P4 overall with teammates)

2005 – 2008: Domestic and International Kart Racing – Numerous Podiums & Top 5 Finishes in International Karting Events (Participated Internationally in Italian Open Masters, French Open, WSK Events, Rotax Events, & ROK Events) / In USA – 2008 IKF TAG Pro $2,000-to-win event at Cal Speed – 1st classified / In USA – 2008 IKF Region 7 TAG Championship – 1st classified in overall Championship (In USA – Many additional Karting Wins, Pole Positions, & Fastest laps throughout ’05 – ’08 seasons) / In 2008, Participated in 2 USAC Ford Focus Midget Races in USA

2003 – 2006: Pomona Valley 1/4 Midget Association Senior Honda Championship – 1st classified / Pomona Valley 1/4 Midget Association Light 160 Honda Championship – 1st classified (Many additional Quarter Midget Wins, Pole Positions, & Fastest laps throughout ’03 – ’06 seasons, including in the Light B class as well in the ’06 season)