ANTELOPE, California — Bill McAnally Racing’s Eric Holmes, pilot of the No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry moves into second in the chase for the NASCAR Camping World Series West championship after recording a sixth place finish at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. Jason Bowles takes the lead for the first time with a difference of 24 points after winning the recent race.
"I think this was the hardest race I’ve ever had to drive."— Eric Holmes
The No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry topped the charts during the first practice and was second quick during the final practice. In the heat of the day and after the local series finished their qualifying, Holmes took to the slick track and put the No. 20 on the outside of row two to start the 200-lap race. Before the break at 101, Holmes radioed his crew chief, Ty Joiner that the car was ‘loose everywhere’ and that he was having a hard time getting the car off the corners. During the second half of the race, the No. 20 continued to have handling problems. Holmes continued to wheel the NAPA Toyota telling his crew chief during the final laps that the car was ‘bouncy’ and continued to be a handful. He finished the race in sixth place.
“I think this was the hardest race I’ve ever had to drive,” said Holmes. “I don’t know what we could have done to improve the handling of the NAPA Toyota. It’s really frustrating. We’ll regroup and head to Portland. We still have five races left of the season to win our fifth series championship.” The team’s next race will be the Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops “125” on July 19th at Portland International Raceway.
The NASCAR Camping World Series West King Taco “200” be televised July 16th on SPEED Channel’s Racing Across America noon pacific time. Please check your local listings.
The No. 20 NAPA team would like to thank their race partner, NAPA AUTO PARTS for their continued support. We would also like to welcome Copart, a web-based automotive reselling agency, to the BMR family.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com.
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