By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Frustrations continue to mount for Holmes after 19th-place finish
Placeholder Image

The 2012 frustrations of Escalon’s Eric Holmes continued in last weekend’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Star Nursery “200” at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

After qualifying his No. 20 NAPA Toyota Camry on the second row to start the 200-lap race on the .375-mile high banked track, Holmes suffered an electrical problem with a engine fan that ended the team’s night early resulting in a 19th-place finish.

The race got off to a promising start for Holmes who settled into third, behind Gene Price Motorsports teammates Greg Pursley and Dylan Kwasniewski, patiently taking care of the car during the first 100 laps. Following the mandatory caution period came out at lap 100; the car began spitting some water through the overflow as Holmes reported that the water temperature was 250 degrees. At lap 130, smoke began coming from underneath the front of the car, forcing Holmes to pit road at lap 140 at which time the crew determined that their night was done.

“It was a disappointing finish to our night but these things happen from time to time,” said Holmes.

Pursley, of Newhall, cruised home in front of Kwasniewski to pick up his second K&N Pro Series West win of the season, the 11th of his career, and successfully defended his race title at the .375-mile track.

Kwasniewski now holds a 306 to 294 edge over Pursley in the points with seven of 15 races in the books. Holmes, who is in pursuit of his fourth West Series championship, sits in fifth with 259.

The West Series now heads to the Sonoma Raceway on Saturday June 23 as part of the Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350 for the Pick-N-Pull Racing to Stop Hunger 200.

“We’re looking to do well at Sonoma where we have finished in the top-five in the last five visits. It’s a great road course with great fan support,” said Holmes. “We are working hard to turn our season around and Sonoma Raceway is the perfect place to do that.”

Stockton 99

The SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series returns to Stockton 99 Speedway this Saturday for the Strandwold Properties 125 presented by Wrapped Graphics.  Several local drivers will be racing including Manteca’s Jacob Gomes, Ross Strmiska and Michael Sandoval. Frazier Park’s MK Kanke holds a narrow 495 to 488 lead over Derek Thorn in the SRL series standings.

Also on the bill at the 99 this Saturday will be the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modifieds in Twin features, Legends of the Pacific and Basically-4-Cylinders.

Last Saturday at the 99 two former Western Late Model champions – Modesto’s Jeff Belletto (2009) and Tracy’s Justin Philpott (2011) – squared off in both ends of twin 50 lap features. Their match ended in a draw as the pair swapped 1-2 finishes over the 10-car field.

Madera Speedway

The Madera Speedway will pay tribute to one of the greatest racing legends from Northern California with the Al Pombo Classic on Saturday.

Pombo, began his career at Merced Speedway in the jalopy class in 1948 and went on to compete in dirt cars, hardtops, sprint cars and super modifieds, went on to win more than 500 main events, seven NASCAR supermodified titles and numerous championships at short tracks throughout California before he retired in 1971. He was a fixture at the tracks until his death in 2010 at age 85.

The Pombo Classic is a pure open-wheel event with USAC Sprint cars, BCRA/USAC Midgets, NCMA Sprint cars, Super Modifieds, Vintage Super Modifieds, Vintage Midgets, and the Valley Sportsman all on tap.

Pit gates open at noon, grandstands open at 3 p.m., heat races start at 5:30. Mains begin at 6:30. You can also go to facebook.com/maderaspeedway to enter into a contest for a chance to win free tickets and to find discount coupons.

Sacramento Raceway

Sacramento Raceway will be hosting the 31st Annual Funny Car fever on Saturday June 16 with the Nitro Funny Cars, Jet Cars, Pro Slammers and Pro Mods all blistering down the quarter mile! For more info visit www.sacramentoraceway.com or call 916 368-8772.

 

To contact Dale Bosowski, email dalebosowski@yahoo.com.