ANTELOPE, California — It was the biggest race of the year,” said Eric Holmes, driver of the No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry for Bill McAnally, a four time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winning championship team owner. “It’s a face off of the best of the best in NASCAR’s Touring Series.” Holmes, himself a two-time champion in the series, looked forward to revisiting victory lane in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
"The No. 20 NAPA team is looking forward to the first race of the 2010 season being kicked off at our home track. There is nothing better than bringing home a win surrounded by your friends, family and a sell-out crowd of our fans."— Eric Holmes
Holmes knows what it’s like to taste victory at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. He won the Elite Division portion of the event in 2004, while competing in the former NASCAR Southwest Tour.
Holmes came up short in his attempt to win the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. He crossed the finish line in sixth after a tight battle for the front for 225-laps.
The No. 20 NAPA Toyota entry from Bill McAnally Racing with new crew chief, Matt Goslant, qualified on the outside of row two to start the first 100-lap segment of the race. By lap 17, Holmes was challenging the eventual race winner NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano for the lead. With fenders rubbing, Holmes would settle into third waiting for the break.
“The NAPA Toyota was really good during the first 100 laps,” said Holmes. “Matt and the NAPA team made some small changes. We had been really good on the long runs. The NAPA Toyota was a good riding car.”
As the last 50 laps began to count down, the handling of the No. 20 NAPA Toyota Camry began to change. Holmes reported in that the car was ‘tight’ and he couldn’t turn in corners 1 and 2. At the break at lap 200, the team changed tires and were prepared for the last 25-lap ’shoot-out’.
Holmes charged hard at the restart running in fourth. Running three-and-four wide thru the final corners, Holmes would take the checkered flag in sixth.
“I think last year I had a good shot at winning it, too,” he said. “We had worked really hard. We kind of struggled the last two seasons at Irwindale but I think we are turning this around. The No. 20 NAPA team is looking forward to the first race of the 2010 season being kicked off at our home track. There is nothing better than bringing home a win surrounded by your friends, family and a sell-out crowd of our fans.”
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will kick off their season at All American Speedway in Roseville, California on March 27th. Holmes is looking to repeat with another win at Bill McAnally Racing’s home track.
For more information and tickets for the 2010 NASCAR West Series season opener at All American Speedway, logon to www.allamericanspeedway.com. Tickets sell out fast, so don’t miss your opportunity be there. Tickets can be purchased by logging onto www.billmcanallyracing.com or by visiting the All American Speedway office.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. BMR is also home to the BMR NAPA AutoCare where customers can have their vehicle serviced by a championship winning team. Check our website for our latest discount coupons and to make an appointment for service.
