ANTELOPE, California — Bill McAnally Racing’s Eric Holmes leaves Phoenix International with a thirty-two point lead in the chase for his third NASCAR Camping World Series West championship. It was a fierce battle during the 150-lap NASCAR Camping World Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway. Holmes qualifying time of 28.158 put the No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry on row four. A new track qualifying record was set by Greg Pursley (27.784) breaking the previous record set by Steve Portenga in 2000.
"Everyone drove hard but respected each other. We were going four wide into the corners. I don’t usually get scared but I scared myself a couple of times"— Eric Holmes
Sprint Cup Series regular David Gilliland was quick to take the lead on lap two but suffered a right front flat bringing out the first caution at lap 4. At the restart, Holmes gained two positions and by lap 33, had moved into third. With a great restart at lap 62, Holmes took over the lead and maintained it until lap 85 when he pitted for fuel and right side tires. He restarted in 13th and moved back up to sixth at lap 97. He continued his moved toward the front and with ten laps to go had moved into fourth. As the race came to a close, he battled NCWS East Series regular Steve Park and race winner Jason Bowles. Holmes took the checkered flag in second extending his points lead as he looks for his second consecutive series championship.
“Everyone drove hard but respected each other. We were going four wide into the corners. I don’t usually get scared but I scared myself a couple of times,” laughed Holmes. On that last lap, we were three wide off of turn two. I was able to get by Steve Park but I couldn’t get up to Jason Bowles. I needed a caution with only one lap to go in order to catch him.”
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation “150” will be televised April 23rd on SPEED Channel. The NAPA AUTO PARTS “150” presented by Exclusive Energy Drink will be on Saturday April 25th at Madera Speedway and televised on SPEED Channel on April 30th. For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com
