Antelope, CA (June 13, 2011)Bill McAnally Racings No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry driven by NASCAR K&N Pro Series West three time champion driver Eric Holmes, was fast right off the trailer at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The NAPA Toyota was at the top of the time charts during both of the practice sessions. Unfortunately an electrical short in the tachometer caused a delay in getting on track for qualifying. The team quickly made the repair but was penalized by NASCAR and Holmes was given only one qualifying lap putting him on the outside of row three to start the race.
Holmes took the green flag and made strong run into the top-three by lap 25. At lap 52, he had moved into 2nd and was challenging the leader for position when he began to experience an overheating problem with the No. 20 NAPA Toyotas radiator forcing him to retire at lap 130 of the 200 lap race. Holmes is seventh in the chase for the championship and only 62 points out of second.
The No. 16 Hasa Pool Products/NAPA Gold Filters Toyota piloted by Moses Smith had an electrical problem during the first of two practice sessions. Second practice had the Hasa Toyota eighth quick of 28 cars. Smith would qualify the Hasa/NAPA entry in thirteenth.
By lap 52 of the 200 lap race, Smith had moved into the top-ten. At lap 81, smoke was seen coming from the No. 16 Hasa Toyota. Smith brought the car in where the Hasa team discovered a loose oil fitting causing an oil leak. They quickly fixed the problem. Smith returned to competition in 25th; eleven laps down. He was able to gain five positions by the time he took the checkered flag. Smith remains in second place in the chase for the championship.
The OReilly Auto Parts 200 from the Bullring at LVMS can be seen on Thursday June 23rd on SPEED Channel at 3 pm PST. Please check your local listings.
Next, the teams will be heading to the road course at Infineon Raceway. It will mark the return of BMR driver Paulie Harraka to the BMR roster. Last Bill McAnally Racings Teams at the Bullring at LVMS season, Harraka brought home a second place finish piloting the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters Toyota. Holmes, in the No. 20 NAPA Toyota, finished in fourth giving him a record of four top-five finishes in only five West Series starts at Infineon. Smith had his best Infineon finish last year, bringing home the No. 16 Hasa Toyota in ninth.
The Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 at Infineon Raceway will be on Saturday, June 25th. This is a companion race to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. For ticket information, please visit the tracks website at www.infineonraceway.com. Think outside the oval and come cheer for your favorite team in the heart of Californias wine country.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. Bill McAnally Racing is now on Facebook. Become a fan and stay up to date with the latest happenings with your favorite race teams. Also follow the team on BMR_NASCAR on Twitter.
