ANTELOPE, California — Bill McAnally Racing’s Eric Holmes, pilot of the No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry raced at Portland International Raceway and after recording a seventh place finish, the reigning series champion remains second in the chase for the NASCAR Camping World Series West championship.
Holmes put the No. 20 NAPA AutoCare Toyota in third and then second respectably in the practice sessions at PIR and the qualified also in second. At lap seven of the 66 lap race, Holmes took the lead but David Mayhew, the pole sitter, would regain the lead at lap 10. While under caution at lap 20, crew chief Ty Joiner made the call for Holmes to come to the pits for fuel. He would return to the pits a lap later with a flat right rear tire. The team put four fresh Goodyear tires on the No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota. Holmes took the green flag to restart the race in 19th and in three laps, he had climbed to tenth. Six laps later he was running in fifth.
“The NAPA Auto Parts Toyota team from BMR gave me a great car and I liked our chance to put the NAPA Toyota into Victory Lane,” said Holmes. “We raced hard for the lead and led some laps.” Holmes trailed Bowles at lap 50. With five laps to go, both made a hard charge into the chicane making contact with each other. Holmes would have to make a trip to pit row at lap 60 with heavy front end damage. He would return the next lap as the race was still under caution to have some further repairs made to the No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry. Back in the race, Holmes would climb from 12th to finish seventh.
The next race will be at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on August 1st. “I’m looking forward to going to Miller Motorsports Park,” continued Holmes. “We had a good car there last year and a good result despite of getting a flat tire.”
Holmes and teammate Paulie Harraka spent some time visiting with NAPA customers and employees in NAPA Hospitality venue after the qualifying session. The No. 20 NAPA team would like to thank their race partner, NAPA Auto Parts for their continued support.
The NASCAR Camping World Series West Bi-Mart Salute the Troop “125” will be televised July 30th on SPEED Channel’s Racing Across America noon pacific time.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com.
Bi-Mart Salute the Troops “125” Race Results
Bi-Mart Salute the Troops “125” Near Live
Bi-Mart Salute the Troops “125” Standings
