Salem, Ind. (October 26, 2002) - Kalamazoo, Michigan's Tim Phillips has won the 2002 Lefthander Challenge. Phillip's had been the leader in the standings for most of the second half of the Sunoco Super Series season, but did receive a late season challenge from Scott Wolfe. Phillips finished second in the 2002 Hubler Group / Blake Carburetion Rookie of the Year standings to fellow Michigan driver Andy Ponstein, and finished 11th overall in the 2002 Sunoco Super Series Championship Points.

The Lefthander Challenge is an award based upon the series driver, who is in the top 15 in final season points, that overall advanced the most positions in the series 2002 events. Phillips advanced a total of 97 positions over the 20-race season. Scott Wolfe advanced the second most positions with 81. Scott Hantz was a distant third with 39 positions gained followed by Junior Hanley in fourth with 34 positions gained and Bull Baker rounding out the top five with 30 positions gained.

As the winner of the Lefthander Challenge, Phillips will receive a 2002 Bare Offset Chassis from award sponsor Lefthander Chassis, which is sponsoring the award for the fifth season in a row. Prior winners of the Lefthander Challenge include two time Sunoco Super Series Champion Brian Ross, a two time award winner also. 2000 Series Champion and 2000 Rookie Of The Year Scott Hantz. Jim Crabtree was the award winner in 2001, and was not eligible to win the award two seasons in a row.

Lefthander Chassis builds chassis's for championship winning teams all over the United States from its shop located in Roscoe, Illinois. Call 815-389-9999 to get more information about Lefthander Chassis.