Grand National West

The 2008 championship for the NASCAR Camping World Series West will be decided in the season finale on Saturday, Oct. 25, as the circuit heads to All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., for the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Thunder Valley.

Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota) is 68 points ahead of Jason Bowles (No. 22 Sunrise Ford Ford) as they prepare to return to the historic Northern California track where the West’s oldest stock car circuit kicked off its 55th season with a sold-out event back in March.

Holmes, who led wire-to-wire to win that season opener, is looking to add another series championship to the title he won in 2006. A finish of 13th or better will give the 34-year-old Escalon, Calif., driver that second championship.

“I’ve got a good feeling,” Holmes said of the final race. “I’ve been to Roseville twice and won both times,” he said, referring to his victory in March and his win in a big modified race at the third-mile track about 10 years ago.

“The guys had a month off here to totally go through the car,” Holmes said of his Bill McAnally Racing team. “So, I know the car will be prepared well. We’ll go there and try to win the Coors Light Pole Award and win another race and that will give us the championship.”

“We aren’t going to do anything different, just go there and race hard like we have all year,” he said. “If you get cautious, sometimes that’s the worst thing to do – especially on a little race track like that.”

Holmes has already won four races this season, along with taking the Coors Light Pole Award in five events.

Bowles has matched Holmes in Coors Light Pole Awards this year, while accumulating three race wins. The 25-year-old driver from Ontario, Calif., would love to have a championship to go with the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award he won in 2007. But he knows it will be tough to overcome a 68-point deficit.

“We’re just going to go there — try to qualify for the pole, lead the most laps, win the race and whatever happens, happens,” he said.

“It’s just unfortunate that we’re so far back in the points, after the flat tire we got at Altamont,” said Bowles, who trailed Holmes by just nine points prior to a 19th-place finish in the most recent race.

Bowles set the fast mark in qualifying at Roseville in March.

“We were good there in March. I just made a few mistakes myself that caused us a lot of positions on the race track,” he said. “Hopefully, we can run just as good and I can drive a little bit smarter and run up front all day and just try to win. That’s all we can do.”

Bowles is pleased, meanwhile, with the progress the Bruncati Racing team made this year, with the addition of championship crew chief Bill Sedgwick.

“Half way through the year, once we got our program back on track, things started really going good with me and Bill,” said Bowles. “It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t have started back in October getting our program sorted out the way we’ve got it now, because I think we would have been tough to beat for the championship. But it’s the cards we were dealt, so we’re just doing what we can. Hopefully, we can come out of this last race with a win and possibly a championship.”

Third in the championship standings is Jeff Barkshire (No. 46 Centennial Batteries/SPE Dodge) of Auburn, Wash., with 1,837 points. Barkshire, who has clinched this year’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year title, still has an ever-so-slim mathematical chance at the overall championship.

Those hopes would hinge on Holmes not finishing any better than 24th and not leading any laps and Bowles not finishing any better than third and not leading any laps.

Although a rookie, Barkshire has posted some great statistics in the series this season. He has the most top-10 finishes, with 10; has an average finish of 7.1, which is tops among drivers after 12 races; and has completed the most laps of competition—1,813.

Fourth in the championship standings is the 2007 series champion, Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Ford) of Modesto, Calif., with 1,749 points. Veteran driver Jim Inglebright (No. 1 Jelly Belly Chevrolet) of Fairfield, Calif., is 43 points back of David in fifth with 1,706 points.

Bill McAnally Racing teammates are battling for sixth in the standings – with Austin Cameron (No. 18 NAPA AutoCare Toyota) of El Cajon, Calif., leading Moses Smith (No. 16 HASA Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota) of Tempe, Ariz., by just 12 points – 1,670 to 1,658.

Johnny Borneman (No. 8 Twisted X Boots/Red Line Oil Ford) of Ramona, Calif., is eighth in the standings with 1,590 points. Four points back, with 1,586 points, is David Mayhew (No. 21 BayBioDiesel/GGRT/RCR Chevrolet) of Atascadero, Calif.

Rookie Jim Warn (No. 10 MJ2 Racing/Gran Prix Imports Chevrolet) of Aurora, Ore., holds the 10th spot in the standings – with 1,509 points.

Several drivers trailing close behind him hope a good finish at Roseville will vault them into the top 10 of the final standings. They include rookie Jason Patison (No. 17 Jasper Engines/Lucas Oil Ford) of Corona, Calif., with 1,506 points; Mike Gallegos (No. 34 RTD Motorsports/D4D Chevrolet) of Wheat Ridge, Colo., with 1,487 points; and Jeff Jefferson (No. 42 MJ2 Racing/Gran Prix Imports Chevrolet) of Naches, Wash., with 1,475 points.

Several other full-time drivers looking to finish out their season with a strong finish are rookie Jamie Dick (No. 88 Viva Auto Group/Johnnie Walker Performance Center Chevrolet) of Albuquerque, N.M., with 1,387 points; Daryl Harr (No. 71 WestWorld Computers Chevrolet) of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, with 1,384 points; and long-time series veteran Jack Sellers (No. 15 Aramark Chevrolet) of Sacramento, Calif., with 1,010 points.

ROSEBURG, Ore. (July 11, 2008) – There were fireworks in the air and fireworks on the track at Douglas County Speedway on Friday night as Eric Holmes rebounded from a flat tire to battle past Jason Bowles with seven laps left to take the victory in the Toyota/Bi-Mart Firecracker 150.

Although Holmes had the dominant car, he had to make a late charge through the field to secure the win – his fourth of the season in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

Holmes was strong throughout the event – setting a track record of 90.168 mph in qualifying, while netting his fourth Coors Light Pole Award of the season. He led the first 98 laps, but his run at the point came to a halt when he suddenly slowed with a flat right front on his Toyota.

Holmes managed to stay on the lead lap, however, dashing to the pits as the caution flew. The 2006 champion quickly returned to the track and began a blistering charge through the field on the restart. He was up to second in the late stages of the event and began nipping at the back bumper of Bowles, who was attempting to score his third consecutive win. Sparks flew as Holmes charged to the inside going into Turn 1 on lap 143. As Bowles slid through Turn 2, Holmes pulled away.

“I leaned on everybody a little bit and they gave me plenty of room,” Holmes said of his late-race charge to the front. “They knew I was faster. Jason Bowles did an awesome job protecting his line. He did everything he could. He was making it really tough on me. I got my nose under him two times. I had to go for it. Once I committed, I had to go. That’s good hard racing on a good old short track.”

Bowles had a different perspective on the incident, however. “I knew Eric had a good car and I knew he was coming,” Bowles said. “But there was no way he was getting by me without moving me. When he tried to turn me down the straight away, there was not much I could do.”

Holmes pulled away to win by a margin of .427 seconds, netting $9,050 in prize money and posted awards. It marked the sixth career win and ninth career pole for the 33-year-old driver from Escalon, Calif. He became the fourth different driver to pilot the NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored entry to victory at Douglas County Speedway in seven events.

“We had a perfect car,” Holmes said. “I couldn’t ask for any more. (Crew chief) Ty (Joiner) did a great job setting the car up and the whole team did a good job today.”

An effort to be courteous may have been to blame for losing the early lead, according to Holmes. “I let a lapped car go by me and got up in the high groove and must have cut a tire down,” he said. “I was a nice guy then. But at the end of the race I had to do what I had to do.”

“I was a little worried coming back through the field,” Holmes said. “It’s just really hard to pass here. I went through them pretty quick, then I got to Jason. I was feeling the pressure of getting by him. He had won two in a row.”

Johnny Borneman of Ramona, Calif., also got by Bowles to take second in his No. 8 Twisted X Boots/Red Line Oil Ford – matching his runner-up finish of a year ago at Roseburg. Bowles of Ontario, Calif., was third in the No. 22 Sunrise Ford Ford. Fourth went to David Mayhew of Atascadero, Calif., in the BayBioDiesel/RCR Chevrolet – while rookie Jeff Barkshire of Auburn, Wash., was fifth in the Centennial Batteries/SPE Dodge. Rounding out the top 10 were Jim Inglebright, Moses Smith, Jim Warn, Jonathan Gomez and Jack Sellers.

The race featured three lead changes among three drivers – Holmes, Bowles and Smith. The average speed of the race was 62.616 mph.

With his victory, Holmes extended his lead in the championship standings to 71 markers with 1,331 points, while Bowles moved to second with 1,260 points. Defending champion Mike David slipped to third in the standings with 1,211 points, falling out of the Roseburg race early with overheating trouble. Barkshire retained the fourth spot in points with 1,182, followed by Inglebright of Fairfield, Calif., with 1,169 points. Completing the top 10 are Austin Cameron at 1,133, Smith at 1,084, Mike Gallegos at 1,053, Borneman at 1,028 and Mayhew at 999.

Barkshire remains the leading candidate in the challenge for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, coming home as the top finishing rookie for the sixth time in eight races this season. He leads with 75 points, followed by Warn with 67, Jason Patison with 63 and Jamie Dick with 62. They are trailed by Wes Banks at 32, Lloyd Mack at 22 and Ryan Philpott at 15.

The next event on the schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West is at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., on July 26.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES WEST-TOYOTA BI-MART 150 by NAPA Results
Friday
At Douglas County Speedway
Roseburg, OR
Lap length: 0.375 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., Toyota, 150 laps, 62.616 mph, $9,050.
2. (6) Johnny Borneman, Ramona, Calif., Ford, 150, $4,000.
3. (4) Jason Bowles, Ontario, Calif., Ford, 150, $3,400.
4. (5) David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $3,300.
5. (9) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn, Wash., Dodge, 150, $3,565.
6. (12) Jim Inglebright, Fairfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $3,000.
7. (3) Moses Smith, Tempe, Ariz., Toyota, 150, $2,750.
8. (11) Jim Warn, Aurora, Ore, Chevrolet, 150, $2,700.
9. (14) Jonathan Gomez, Twin Falls, Idaho, Chevrolet, 150, $2,100.
10. (17) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $3,555.
11. (10) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Colo., Chevrolet, 148, $2,250.
12. (16) Daryl Harr, St Albert, Alberta, Chevrolet, 147, $2,630.
13. (8) Jason Patison, Corona, Calif., Ford, 144, $2,030.
14. (19) Paul Pedroncelli, Jr., Sonoma, Calif., Chevrolet, 142, $1,450.
15. (13) Jamie Dick, Albuquerque, N.M., Chevrolet, 137, $1,925.
16. (15) Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash., Chevrolet, 102, engine, $1,900.
17. (7) Mike David, Modesto, Calif., Ford, 69, overheating, $2,475.
18. (2) Austin Cameron, El Cajon, Calif., Toyota, 68, $1,850.
19. (18) Jonathan Hale, Rio Linda, Calif., Chevrolet, 66, overheating, $1,350.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 53 minutes 54 seconds
Margin of Victory: .427 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: E.Holmes (90.168 mph mph, 14.972 seconds)
Caution Flags: 5 for 28 laps.
Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: E.Holmes 1-97; M.Smith 98-102; J.Bowles 103-142; E.Holmes 143-150.
Standings: 1. E.Holmes, 1331; 2. J.Bowles, 1260; 3. M.David, 1211; 4. J.Barkshire, 1182; 5. J.Inglebright, 1169; 6. A.Cameron, 1133; 7. M.Smith, 1084; 8. M.Gallegos, 1053; 9. J.Borneman, 1028; 10. D.Mayhew, 999.
Unofficial

Holmes Stays On Point

Earns Fourth Coors Light Pole Award Of The Season 

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Eric Holmes captured his fourth Coors Light Pole Award at Douglas County Speedway on Friday to lead the Bill McAnally Racing team to a 1-2-3 sweep of the top three spots in qualifying for the Toyota Bi-Mart Firecracker 150 by NAPA.

Holmes will lead the field to the green for Friday night's event, flanked by teammate Austin Cameron - with the third BMR driver, Moses Smith, starting from the third spot on the grid.

Holmes, the 2006 champion, heads into the event with a 42-point lead over defending champion Mike David.

POS	CAR	DRIVER/HOMETOWN	SPONSOR	TIME	SPEED
1	20	Eric Holmes, Escalon Calif.	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota	14.972	90.168
2	18	Austin Cameron, El Cajon Calif.	NAPA AutoCare Toyota	15.043	89.743
3	16	Moses Smith, Tempe Ariz.	Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota	15.081	89.517
4	22	Jason Bowles, Ontario Calif.	Sunrise Ford Ford	15.149	89.115
5	21	David Mayhew, Atascadero Calif.	BayBioDiesel/RCR Chevrolet	15.205	88.787
6	8	Johnny Borneman, Ramona Calif.	Twisted X Boots/Red Line Oil Ford	15.223	88.682
7	2	Mike David, Modesto Calif.	Bennett Lane Winery Ford	15.229	88.647
8	17	Jason Patison, Corona Calif. *	Fatheadz/Lucas Oil Ford	15.235	88.612
9	46	Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash. *	Centennial Batteries/SPE Dodge	15.242	88.571
10	34	Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge Colo.	Oregon Tool & Supply/D4D Chevrolet	15.271	88.403
11	10	Jim Warn, Aurora Ore *	MJ2 Racing/Gran Prix Imports Chevrolet	15.283	88.333
12	1	Jim Inglebright, Fairfield Calif.	Jelly Belly Chevrolet	15.285	88.322
13	88	Jamie Dick, Albuquerque N.M. *	Viva Auto Grp/Johnnie Walker PerfCtr Chevrolet	15.298	88.247
14	36	Jonathan Gomez, Twin Falls Idaho	RTD Mtrspts/Heritage Cattle Co. Chevrolet	15.351	87.942
15	42	Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash.	MJ2 Racing/Gran Prix Imports Chevrolet	15.472	Provisional
16	71	Daryl Harr, St Albert Alberta	WestWorld Computers Chevrolet	15.361	Provisional
17	75	Jack Sellers, Sacramento Calif.	Aramark Chevrolet	15.626	Provisional
18	15	Jonathan Hale, Rio Linda Calif.	J&F Pool Plastering Chevrolet	15.684	Provisional
19	0	Paul Pedroncelli, Jr., Sonoma Calif.	Pedroncelli Motorsports Chevrolet	15.726	85.845

 * Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After getting off to a solid start this season, Eric Hardin (No. 5 Direct Shopping Network Chevrolet) encountered some bad luck that knocked him out of the top 10 of the championship standings in the NASCAR Camping World Series West. The Anaheim, Calif., competitor hopes a visit to his NASCAR Home Track, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, will provide him with an opportunity to turn his season back around.

“I’m real excited about going to Irwindale, since it’s my home track,” Hardin said. “I have not had the opportunity to race there in a while. Every time I do, I get that confidence back. I’m real comfortable there.”

The NASCAR Camping World Series West heads to Toyota Speedway at Irwindale this week for a special Fourth of July event, the California Highway Patrol 200, on Friday. The race will be televised live in high definition to a national audience on HDNet. In addition, SPEED is to provide an enhanced replay on July 18.

Although his team has run well there, Hardin’s finishes at the Irwindale facility have not always reflected it. “We haven’t had a good finish there yet, but we’ve always run well,” he said. “So, we look for good things from it.”

Hardin hopes that by continuing to work hard, his team will be able to change their luck.

“We’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing and try to be more prepared at the races,” he said. “That’s all you can do.”

The success he experienced late last year and early this season, meanwhile, has provided him with the confidence to know he’s capable of running with the leaders in the series.

“It was really good running toward the front, where we need to be,” said Hardin, who turned 26 on Sunday. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a couple of crashes recently. So, that kind of brings you down a little bit. Coming off of Sonoma to my home track gives me something to really look forward to.”

Hardin, who lost part of one leg to cancer as a youngster, is in his third full season of competing in the NASCAR Camping World Series West. He has three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 33 starts.

News & Notes

The race … The California Highway Patrol 200 is the seventh event on the NASCAR Camping World Series West 2008 schedule. It is one of two races scheduled at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale this season, with the series set to return Aug. 16. This marks the second straight year for the track to host this race as a special Fourth of July event.

The procedure … The starting field is 30 cars, including provisionals. The first 26 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 200 laps (100 miles).

The track … Toyota Speedway at Irwindale is a half-mile paved oval with blended banking of six, nine and 12 degrees in the corners and banking of six degrees in the straights. The track has hosted 16 NASCAR Camping World Series events, dating back to June of 1999.

The records … Qualifying: Butch Gilliland, June 19, 1999, 100.722 mph, 17.871 seconds; Race: Austin Cameron, July 27, 2002, 76.062 mph, 1 hour 18 minutes 53 seconds.

Midway point … This event marks the midway point in the 2008 season, with six races complete and six remaining.

Irwindale winners … Austin Cameron (No. 18 NAPA Auto Care Toyota) leads winners at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, with five victories. Coincidently, Cameron will be making his 100th series start at Irwindale.

Other Irwindale winners … NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and two-time NASCAR Camping World Series West champion Brendan Gaughan follows Austin Cameron on the list of winners at Irwindale, with the three races he swept in 2001. Bobby Dotter and Steve Portenga are also multiple race winners, with two victories each.

11 pole winners at Irwindale … The 16 visits to Irwindale resulted in 11 different drivers winning a pole. Cameron, Mike Duncan, Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota), Scott Lynch and Sean Woodside are multiple winners, with two each.

Team dominance … The Bill McAnally Racing team has dominated competition at Toyota Speedway, winning eight of 11 races since 2001. Gaughan swept all three visits for BMR in 2001. Three of Cameron’s five Irwindale wins were with BMR, one in 2002 and two in 2004. Portenga added a BMR win in 2005 and Brian Ickler won there for BMR last year.

Front runner … Gaughan has the most top-five finishes at Irwindale, with six. The Las Vegas native also won the most money at the state-of-the-art facility, with $71,690, and led the most laps, running out front for 674 laps.

Most top 10s … Scott Gaylord has scored the most top-10s at the Irwindale track – finishing in the top 10 in 11 of 13 races he has competed in there.

Widespread competition … In the 16 races at the Southern California track, 143 different drivers have taken the green flag. Austin Cameron and Jack Sellers (No. 15 Aramark Chevrolet) top that list, each starting 14 of those races. Other drivers to compete in NASCAR Camping World Series West events at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch, who finished 22nd in the inaugural series race there in June of 1999; three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., who finished fourth in that event; NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Mike Wallace, who finished fifth behind Hornaday; and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Matt Crafton, who finished a close second to Bobby Dotter in 2000.

Comparing the finishes … Among drivers who have raced in four or more races at Irwindale, Bobby Dotter has the best average finish of 4.0 in four races. Gaughan is close behind, with an average of 4.63 in eight races.

Manufacturers’ battle … Chevrolet has been in Victory Lane for 14 of the 16 races at Irwindale. Joe Bean scored Ford’s only win there in 2000 and Scott Lynch nabbed the only win for Dodge at Irwindale in 2003.

Going the distance … The 16 events have varied in distance. Seven were 250-lap races (two in 1999, two in 2000 and three in 2001); five were 200 laps (one each in 2002 and 2003, two in 2006 and one in 2007); three were 150 laps (both in 2004 and one in 2005) and one was 300 laps (the season finale in 2000).

Stat of the race … Three of the 16 races at Irwindale were won from the pole position.

Birthdays … Drivers celebrating a birthday during July include Gary Smith, who turns 40 on the 6th; Brendan Gaughan, who turns 33 on the 10th; Rick Ruzbarsky, who turns 43 on the 11th; Brandon Ash, who turns 31 on the 17th; Kris Terris, who turns 30 on the 17th; and Jack Sellers, who turns 64 on the 27th.

The Race: California Highway Patrol 200
The Place: Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.)
The Date: Friday, July 4
The Time: 8:10 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: HDNet (Live)
SPEED (enhanced replay)    July 18, 1:30 p.m. (ET)
Track Layout: .5-mile paved
Race Purse: $115,232
2007 Winner: Brian Ickler
2007 Pole: Eric Holmes

2008 STANDINGS
Rk Driver Points
1 Eric Holmes 971
2 Mike David 969
3 Jason Bowles 905
4 Austin Cameron 874
5 Jeff Barkshire 867
6 Jim Inglebright 864
7 Moses Smith 795
8 Mike Gallegos 777
9 Jeff Jefferson 738
10 Jamie Dick 736

Schedule:
Friday: Practice 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30-1:00 p.m., Time Trials 4:00 p.m.
Track Contact:
Kevin O’Brien
(626) 358-1100

Last year’s event ...

Brian Ickler took the victory in this event a year ago, capturing his second win in four days. The event followed just after he had scored his first career win in Roseburg, Ore.
Ickler’s biggest challenge through most of the race came from the 2006 Champion Eric Holmes, who had won the pole. The pair waged a fierce battle throughout the 200-lap race, trading the lead nine times.
Two-time series champion Mike Duncan, who fell to the back of the pack after spinning just before the midway point of the race, steadily moved through the field to make it a three-wide battle for the lead in the closing laps.
Ickler held on to win, with Duncan second and Holmes third.

10th Season For Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, which is in its 10th season, has been a part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series since it opened in 1999.

The state-of-the-art Southern California facility is the NASCAR Home Track for many drivers who have competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

The track features a wide variety of competition. Regular classes competing there include the ACDelco Super Late Models, the Auto Club Late Models, the D&D Construction Bandoleros, the Justice Brothers Mini Stocks, the King Taco Super Trucks, Legend Cars, the Pick Your Part Outlaw Figure 8s, Pure Stocks, the Vista Paint Super Stocks and the West Coast Pro Trucks. 

Mike David

Holmes Will Start Out Front - Again

SONOMA, Calif. - Eric Holmes continues to apply the pressure. Despite winning three of the first five events, Holmes still trails point leader Mike David in the NASCAR Camping World Series West standings. Holmes took another step toward closing that gap when he picked up his third Coors Light Pole Award of the season Friday afternoon in qualifying for Saturday's Bennett Lane Winery 200 presented by Supercuts.

Holmes' No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota completed a lap on the 1.99-mile road course in 78.035 seconds/91.805 mph. He bested a pair of road course aces in P.J. Jones (No. 24 Bennett Lane Winery Maximus Ford) and Jason Bowles (No. 22 Sunrise Ford Ford). Jones, a sports car veteran making a spot start in the series as a teammate of David, qualified second at 78.479/91.286. Bowles, who won two of the three series road-course events last season, qualified third at 78.566/81.184.

David Mayhew and Todd Souza rounded out the top five.

David qualified 10th of 41 cars. He enters the race with a 35-point lead over Holmes.

Holmes' Bill McAnally Racing teammates Austin Cameron and Moses Smith qualified sixth and seventh, respectively. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ken Schrader qualified 13th.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jason Bowles (No. 22 Sunrise Ford Ford) had a remarkable rookie season last year, winning two of the three road races on the schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West en route to winning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, and finishing third in the overall championship standings.

The race at Infineon Raceway was a different story, however. Bowles was beset by mechanical problems there from the drop of the green flag, leaving him to finish a lap down in 29th.

“I’m definitely looking forward to going back there and getting a little redemption, hopefully,” said the former open-wheel driver from Ontario, Calif.

He will get his chance when the NASCAR Camping World Series West heads to the twisting 1.99-mile road course in Sonoma, Calif., for the Bennett Lane Winery 200 presented by Supercuts on Saturday, June 21. The race, the first of two road course events on this year’s schedule, is slated to air live in high definition on HDNet. In addition, an enhanced replay is to air on SPEED.

“We were fast last year,” Bowles recalled of the Infineon race in 2007. “We just had several issues that kept putting us to the back. We could just never seem to recover from them. I’m looking forward to going back there and seeing if we can win that one, as well.”

While Bowles tried to battle back from his problems, his teammate for the event, David Gilliland, was heading to victory in a second car entered by car owner Bob Bruncati. With similar speeds, Bowles would have enjoyed the opportunity to challenge Gilliland

“I think we probably had the speed to do it, but I think he had a little better strategy than we did,” Bowles said of Gilliland’s decision not to pit for fresh tires. “We might have struggled to beat him, but as far as the outright speed, I think we were on a level playing field.”

Bowles, 25, credits his road racing experience as an open-wheel competitor for his quick success on road courses in stock cars.

“Road racing my whole life has certainly helped,” he said. “It just feels natural to me, opposed to all these guys that have raced ovals their whole life.”

Racing stock cars on a road course does have its differences, however, Bowles admitted. “It’s nothing like driving a 1,200-pound Formula Ford or a 1,500-pound open-wheel car like I’ve driven in the past, when you’re driving this thing that weighs twice as much,” he said. 

Bowles points to a major adjustment in making the switch from the light-weight open-wheel cars to the heavier stock cars. “The biggest thing is you can’t overdrive at all,” he said. “If you overdrive at all in a stock car, it just kills your lap time. I think that’s the biggest adjustment that I had to make.

“And I think that’s what made me as good as we were on the road courses, because I was able to adjust and not overdrive, save my equipment and we were good all the way to the end,” he said.

News & Notes

The race … The Bennett Lane Winery 200 presented by Supercuts is the sixth race on the NASCAR Camping World Series West schedule in 2008. It is the first of two road course events this season.

The procedure … The starting field is 40 cars, including provisionals. The first 36 cars will qualify through NASCAR road racing style qualifying. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 64 laps (127.36 miles).

The track … Infineon Raceway is a winding 10-turn 1.99-mile road course, with varying elevation. The West has visited the Sonoma facility 28 times, since first going there in 1969. In addition to the track hosting 19 stand-alone events, drivers and teams competed in nine companion events there with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series between 1989 and 1997.

The records … Qualifying: David Gilliland, June 23, 2007, 91.979 mph, 77.887 seconds; Race: Brian Vickers, June 24, 2006, 67.595 mph, 1 hour 53 minutes 3 seconds.

$50,000 in prize money distributed … The top 20 teams in the NASCAR Camping World Series West received a combined $50,000 in prize money for the first portion of the championship program for this season. The prize money, part of the overall $350,000 point fund award for 2008, was distributed based on driver championship standings after the first four races.

Long entry list at Infineon … Another large field of entries is expected at Infineon Raceway.  Last year’s event attracted 40 cars and preliminary entries indicate the turnout for this year’s event may exceed that number. 

Testing, testing … More than 20 teams made an early visit to Infineon Raceway for a test session on June 10.

NASCAR Day at State Capitol … Several West Coast drivers and teams participated in this year’s “NASCAR Day at the State Capitol” in Sacramento on June 14. The event featured a parade of stock cars along the Capitol Mall to the traffic circle, where they were put on display. Drivers also participated in a question and answer session about NASCAR Week at Infineon.

Front runners at Infineon … Three drivers – Hershel McGriff (1983, 1985, 1987), Jim Insolo (1978, 1979, 1980) and Bill Schmitt (1981, 1988, 1989) – lead competition at Infineon, with three wins each. Schmitt also leads in terms of top-five finishes, with eight, and top-10 finishes, with nine. McGriff led the most laps, meanwhile, running out front for 142 laps. Two-time race winner Butch Gilliland (1996, 1997) accumulated the most money won at Infineon, netting $42,300.

Also in Victory Lane … Other drivers to win a race at Infineon include David Gilliland (2007), Jim Bown (1984), Ray Elder (1969), Doug George (1995), Kevin Harvick (1998), Jack McCoy (1969), Jim Robinson (1986), Roy Smith (1982) and Brian Vickers (2006).

Pole winners … While Hershel McGriff leads with three poles at Infineon, Jim Bown, Butch Gilliland, Roy Smith and Tim Williamson each had won two poles there.

Series experience at Infineon … Jack Sellers (No. 15 Aramark Chevrolet) has the most series experience at Infineon of any active driver. He competed in nine stand-alone series events, finishing as high as 11th in 1989, and six combination events, finishing 40th on two occasions.

Pontiac prevails … With five wins, a Pontiac has been in Victory Lane at Infineon more than any other manufacturer.

Stat of the race … Five of the 18 events at Infineon in the modern era were won by a driver starting from the pole position.

The Race: Bennett  Lane Winery 200  presented by Supercuts
The Place: Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
The Date: Saturday, June 21
The Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: HDNet (Live)
SPEED (enhanced replay)    July 8, 1:00 p.m. ET
Track Layout: 1.99-mile       road course
Race Purse: $173,055
2007 Winner: David Gilliland
2007 Pole: David Gilliland
Schedule:
Friday: Practice 8:30-10 a.m. Final Practice 10:50-11:50 a.m.  Time Trials 2:20 p.m.

Track Contact:
John Cardinale
(707) 538-8448
 
2008 Standings
Rk Driver Points
1 Mike David 831
2 Eric Holmes 796
3 Jeff Barkshire 733
4 Austin Cameron 723
5 Moses Smith 716
6 Jason Bowles 715
7 Jim Inglebright 699
8 Mike Gallegos 680
9 Jason Patison 680
10 Jeff Jefferson 662

Drivers from Golden State Look Forward To Return Home

This week’s visit to Infineon Raceway represents a return to their home state for many competitors in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

After traveling to Arizona, Texas, Iowa and Colorado for the past four races, drivers from California have looked forward to competing in the Golden State.

And for several drivers from Northern California, the Infineon event marks a return to competition near the location of their NASCAR Home Track.

Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Ford) of Modesto, Calif., and Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota) of Escalon, Calif., were both second-generation racers at the now-shuttered Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway, which was just over an hour away from Infineon.

In making the transition from racing motorcycles to racing stock cars, Jim Inglebright (No. 1 Jelly Belly Chevrolet) of Fairfield, Calif., competed in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series just a bit further away at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. — winning back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992.

Jack Sellers (No. 15 Aramark Chevrolet) was also a regular at All American Speedway early in his career.

Last year’s event ...

With the victory in last year’s race, David Gilliland became a second-generation winner in NASCAR Camping World Series West action at Infineon. His father, Butch, had won 10 years before him. Although he dominated much of the action, winning the pole and leading the most laps, Gilliland faced plenty of challenges. After initially dashing into the lead, Joey Logano trailed Gilliland through the early laps. He later pressured Gilliland, before dropping out with engine failure on Lap 55. Meanwhile, Gilliland and his team relied on a different strategy than most, opting to only make one pit stop for fuel midway in the race and not take on fresh tires. Pit procedures in place for the event restricted teams from refueling and taking on fresh tires in the same stop. In addition, teams were limited to taking on only two tires per stop. Gilliland relinquished the lead when he made his pit stop on Lap 22. Although mired at the back of the pack, he was soon up front when nearly all the leaders pitted during a caution on Lap 31. Gilliland took the lead on Lap 35 and maintained the top spot to the checkered flag. P.J. Jones finished second, followed by Boris Said.

Final notes from Colorado

Three of five … The victory by Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota) in the Toyota/NAPA 150 at Colorado National Speedway on June 7 was his third win in five races. It also marked his fifth career victory.

Career marks … Mike Gallegos (No. 34 RTD Motorsports/D4D Chevrolet) had a career-best fourth-place finish, while Daryl Harr (No. 71 WestWorld Computers Chevrolet) tied his best mark of fifth.

Fast rookie … Jeff Barkshire (No. 46 Centennial Batteries/SPE Dodge) won the Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award for the fourth consecutive

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Colorado National Speedway is a track that has always been very popular with drivers, teams and fans of the NASCAR Camping World Series West. The .375-mile track, located just north of Denver, has been the scene of plenty of exciting side-by-side competition – with drivers such as Ron Hornaday Jr., Mike Chase, Mike Duncan and Steve Portenga emerging victorious.

The track has not been so kind, however, to veteran driver Johnny Borneman (No. 8 Twisted X Boots/Red Line Oil Ford). It is the only oval track visited by the NASCAR Camping World Series West where the second-generation driver from Ramona, Calif., has yet to score a top-five finish. In fact, he has not even managed a top-10 finish there. His best finish in two starts at CNS was 13th in 2001.

Borneman hopes to turn his luck around when the NASCAR Camping World Series West heads to Colorado this week for the Toyota NAPA 150 on Saturday, June 7. The event, the fifth of a 13-race schedule, will be televised to a national audience live in high definition on HDNet. In addition, SPEED is to provide an enhanced replay.

Borneman recently recalled his problems of a year ago at Colorado: “I know last year we really, really struggled there. We just really missed the boat. We just got off our game, I guess. I think that was our worst run last year. We struggled to even stay on the lead lap.”

He and his family-owned team hope to turn things by bringing a different car to Colorado for this event.

“We’re actually taking the car we won with at Washington,” Borneman said, referring to his most recent victory in 2006. “So, I hope we’ll have a better run.”

There is another reason for Borneman to remain optimistic of doing well at Colorado National Speedway. He says the track is comparable to the now-shuttered Cajon Speedway near San Diego, where he grew up racing.

“It’s a lot like my home track before they tore it down,” said  the veteran driver, who will celebrate his 31st birthday later this month. “We just have not had good runs there, but I definitely think we’ll turn it around this year.”

Regardless of his performance, Borneman points out that the Colorado track offers plenty of exciting racing. “It definitely puts on a good show there,” he said. “There’s room to pass on the outside or on the bottom. It’s an exciting place to run.”

Since making his series debut in 2000 – Borneman has three wins, 23 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes in 80 starts. His father, John Borneman, raced in the series in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Antelope, CA – "Second in the chase for the NASCAR Camping World Series West championship is huge," said Moses Smith, driver of the No. 16 HASA Pool Products/White Flyer/TCI Transportation Toyota Camry for Bill McAnally Racing. "Consistent finishes has won championships in the past. The team is focused on winning the championship one race at a time."

For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com.

The No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry needed a little help in the form of a caution at lap 87. NCWS West driver Eric Holmes was the race leader after taking the position at a restart at lap 21. It looked like he would bring the No. 20 NAPA Toyota to Victory Lane for BMR two races in a row and increase his lead as the point leader in the chase for the series championship when unfortunately after leading the most laps of the event the No. 20 NAPA Toyota ran out of fuel on the one-mile track of Phoenix International Speedway.

"The No. 20 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry felt good for PIR," said Holmes. "I like the high speeds at that track, more competition and racing under the lights. We practiced in the heat of the day so it was a challenge for the No. 20 team from BMR to get the right setup on the car to race with the cooler temperatures of the Arizona night. Our crew chief Ty Joiner and the team were up for the challenge." The team was second quick in first practice and Holmes qualified the No. 20 NAPA Toyota on the second row to start the race. After running out of fuel, the team got Holmes back out and he was running in 21st when a another competitor running side by side with Holmes drove him hard into the outside wall causing severe damage to the right side wheel, ending his night.

"It was a disappointing night," said Holmes. "We were four laps down with fifteen laps to go trying to make the best of the night. I don’t know how he didn’t see me. We’ll head to Texas and we’ll turn this bad luck around. There’s a lot of racing still ahead." In 2005 BMR won the inaugural event in Kyle Texas and Holmes won the race in 2006. Holmes heads to the next race fourth in points and only one point out of third.

The next race of the season will be at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle Texas. The race will be televised live on HDNet beginning at 8 pm CT. Check your local listings. The race at PIR will we broadcast in an enhanced replay on SPEED Channel April 23 at noon ET.

For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com.

 
Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) has announced a partnership with Toyota that will involve the automaker with the NASCAR Camping World Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series beginning this year.

Additionally, the partnership will support the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which provides minority and female drivers the opportunity to compete in the sport’s development series. Two BMR diversity development drivers will each have fully funded rides in Toyota Camrys this season, including technical support.

BMR – which won three consecutive championships in the NASCAR Camping World Series West – will campaign Toyota Camrys for all three of its teams beginning this season. BMR has accounted for 32 wins in the series, including the inaugural NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in 2003. Drivers under the BMR banner have finished in the top-10 of the final championship point standings 17 times since 1995.

"We are excited about this opportunity to work with Toyota at a regional level in NASCAR’s top developmental series, while also having them become involved with our Late Model stock car program at NASCAR’s local level," said Bill McAnally, BMR president. "We are glad to have Toyota join with our other partners – NAPA AUTO PARTS, HASA Pool Products, BI-MART and Basalite Concrete Products. Their involvement will be beneficial for all our partners."

"Toyota’s decision to partner with BMR will create more opportunities for rising young talent participating in BMR and NASCAR’s driver development program," said Scot Smith, Toyota NASCAR marketing manager. "Our motorsports involvement at both local and regional levels are illustrations of our commitment and dedication to support the drive for diversity."

BMR’s partnership with Toyota will also involve the manufacturer in the direct promotion of four NASCAR Camping World Series West races this year. Toyota will be a title sponsor for major events at All American Speedway (AAS) near Sacramento, Calif., on March 29; Colorado National Speedway, near Denver on June 7; Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore., on July 11; and Evergreen Speedway near Seattle on July 26. The Toyota Tundra will serve as the pace truck for each of the four events.

In addition to their NASCAR Camping World Series effort, BMR will campaign Toyota Camrys with its four Late Model teams – which compete as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. BMR Late Model teams have scored 10 wins in three seasons and were the first to deliver a win in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program.

Toyota will also take center stage as a key sponsor at All American Speedway, located in Roseville, Calif., -- the track where McAnally won a NASCAR driver’s championship in 1990. AAS features weekly racing on Saturday nights from April through October and is located less than five miles from the Bill McAnally Racing facility in nearby Antelope, California.

Toyota NAPA AutoCare 150 | All American Speedway

March 29, 2008 | Race 1 of 13

CAR#	DRIVER	HOME TOWN	YEAR/MAKE	CAR SPONSOR	CAR OWNER
1	Inglebright, Jim	Fairfield, CA	Chevy/2006	Jelly Belly	Inglebright, Valerie
2	David, Mike	Modesto, CA	Ford/2004	Bennett Lane Winery	Lynch, Randy
3	Banks, Wes	Oakdale, CA	Ford/2005	Orco Construction Supply	Banks, Kimberlie
5	Hardin, Eric	Anahiem, CA	Chevy/2006	Direct Shopping Network	Hardin, Dennis
05	Schmidt, Eric	Roseville, CA	Chevy/2005	AT & T	Jordan, Frank
8	Borneman, John	Ramona, CA	Ford/2006	Borneman Plastering	Borneman, John
10	Warn, James	Aurora, OR	Chevy/2007	Gran Prix Imports	Warn, Mike
15	Sellers, Jack	Sacramento, CA	Chevy/2008	Greyhound Adoption Center	Sellers, Jack
16	Smith, Moses	Tempe, AZ	Toyota/2008	Hasa Pool Products / White Flyer	McAnally, Bill
17	Patison, Jason	Corona, CA	Ford/2007	Lucas Oil	Wong, Darrell
18	Cameron, Austin	El Cajon, CA	Toyota/2008	Napa Auto Care	McAnally, Bill
20	Holmes, Eric	Escalon, CA	Toyota/2008	Napa Auto Parts	McAnally, Bill
21	Mayhew, David	Atascadero, CA	Chevy/2006	BayBioDiesel / RCR	Offenbach, James
22	Bowles, Jason	Ontario, CA	Ford/2007	Sunrise Ford / Turbo Torq Ford	Bruncati, Robert
33	Mack, Lloyd	Los Angeles, CA	Ford	Roadrunner Tow / Chino Hills Ford	Mack, Lloyd
34	Gallegos, Michael	Wheat Ridge, CO	Chevy/2007	RTD Motorsports, Inc.	Dixon, Robert
38	Crye, Quintin	Gridley, CA		Glenn Haven Beach Resort	Thackeray, Hollis
42	Jefferson, Jeff	Naches, WA	Chevy/2007	Gran Prix Imports	Warn, Cynthia
46	Barkshire, Jeffrey	Auburn, WA	Dodge/2007	Centennial Batteries	Barkshire, Robert
52	Ryan Philpott	Tracy, CA	Ford	Pacific Motorsports	Philpott, Ryan
61	Thompson, Brett	Jerome, ID	Chevy/2008	Pets Best Insurance	Thompson, Richard
71	Daryl Harr	St. Albert, Alberta	Chevy	WestWorld Computers	Harr, Carl
75	Hale, Johnathan	Roseville, CA	Chevy/2008	Aramark Chevrolet	Silva, Charles
84	Richardson, Eric	Bakersfield, CA	Chevy/2007	Viva Auto Group / Johnnie Walker Performance Center	Dick, Jamie
88	Dick, Jamie	Albuquerque, NM	Chevy/2007	Viva Auto Group / Johnnie Walker Performance Center	Dick, Jamie

Overview
NASCAR's Competition Department distributes entry blanks for each race to owners in the series. Those entries must be returned before the deadline, which is set 13 days in advance of the event. When the entry is received by Competition, the car is added to the entry list. There is an inspection fee for each entry.

 
Eric Holmes, the 2006 NASCAR Camping World Series West champion, will return to the series this season and aggressively pursue winning another championship. Holmes will drive the NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored car campaigned by Bill McAnally Racing.

The 2008 season will mark the 18^{th year that NAPA has sponsored a McAnally car. The combination has won three Camping World West titles and a NASCAR Weekly Racing championship at All American Speedway.}

"Bill is a proven championship car owner," Holmes said. "I’ve always wanted to drive for him. The NAPA car has won with every driver he’s had in it, so I’m walking into a great situation."

Holmes called BMR, particularly the NAPA car, the "standard bearer," in the Camping World West Series.

"You have to see the shop and equipment," said Holmes. "The team of guys we’ve put together is a championship contender. It’s amazing. We have a great group of guys. They’re hard at it every day."

McAnally said he was surprised to hear that Holmes, 33 and from Escalon, Calif., was available for the 2008 season.

"After meeting with Eric and the owner of his championship team, Allen Beebe, we found out that Allen wanted to concentrate on his non-racing businesses for a while," McAnally said. "That was the impetus in making this deal come together. Allen and Eric worked together for a long time."

Ty Joiner, Holmes’ crew chief for the last five seasons, will rejoin BMR and continue working with Holmes. Joiner worked for McAnally early in his career.

"What an opportunity to find Eric and Ty and many members of their championship team to make a run at this year’s title," McAnally said.

The McAnally team will field three cars in the Camping World Series in 2008 and will continue to field late model stock cars at All American Speedway. The remainder of the McAnally drivers will be announced at a later date.

"All I can say is that I’ve already tested with the team and we’ve got a great driver lineup," Holmes said. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring Bill McAnally Racing and NAPA another championship season."

The chase for the 2008 championship begins March 29 when the 2008 season gets underway at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. The 13-race Camping World West schedule includes races in eight states on speedways, short ovals and road courses.

More information on Bill McAnally Racing is available at www.billmcanallyracing.com.

In a sport where everything seems to be done at the last moment, when decisions are made in a split second and nothing seems to be ready till the last minute, there are exceptions. Golden Gate Racing, the West Coast RCR Driver Development program team, has nearly everything lined up for the upcoming Camping World Grand National West season.

"In all the years I've been racing, this team is the most prepared for a whole season of racing that I have ever seen. It's a nice position to be in." Said crewchief Steve Portenga. With an even stronger commitment from the Golden Gate Meat Company and the Bay Area based "Golden Gate Petroleum and Biodiesel" company, the team pulled together comprehensive and more complete program for the 2008 run at the championship. "Rushing things at the 11th hour is just bad; it creates stress and pressure for everyone, and that can undermine the quality of a team and their performance." Said team owner Jimi Offenbach who has worked hard to get everything ready early for the opening of the 2008 season.

It also helps keep things rolling that Richard Childress has pledged extended support for the team and will continue working closely with long-time friend Jimi Offenbach. "Myself and everyone here at RCR are excited about the upcoming season. With a good start to the Sprint Cup and the Nationwide Series seasons, we are anxious to get rolling with our Driver Development teams, especially Jimi and Golden Gate Racing on the west coast." Said Richard Childress at Press Day in Welcome NC.

The GGRT team now touts a total of eight cars, eight motors, three drivers and enough parts and pieces to last well into the long season. The cars all have a strong history in the RCR stalls and are topnotch machines. Watkin's Engines have been tuning the powerhouses which include three brand new spec motors and five completely refurbished and freshened spec motors. The cars are assembled, painted, decaled, polished, shined and ready to hit the track.


"Not many teams can boast such preparedness for a season." Offenbach noted. But, the team is not complacent, nor ready to wait for anything - and have several practice sessions scheduled before the season begins. This includes a March 1st date when they will spend a day at Roseville where Mayhew and O'Keefe and new driver Martinez will put the fleet of cars and equipment through their paces.

Golden Gate Racing Team now rosters three drivers, David Mayhew in the #21, Pat O'Keefe in the #31 and newcomer Luis Martinez who will be running a number of races as he learns the ropes from the Mayhew and Portenga. Mayhew is returning this season after picking up the reins halfway through the 2007 season. He had a fantastic run with GGRT and there was a great connection between him and the crew, which was evidenced in communication and car setup that translated into a front-running team. "I'm looking around at the shop, looking at our equipment, listening to the enthusiasm in everyone's voice and I'm just really geared up and ready for the best season I've ever had. Golden Gate and RCR has really stepped up the program and from the look of things we have enough equipment and back-up gear to get us through the whole season, wow." Said Mayhew.

Joining in the excitement is Pat O'Keefe. Pat has taken up the offer to run the #31 car, at least in a limited season. O'Keefe, who is also the owner of Golden Gate Petroleum and Bay Biodiesel - the primary sponsors of the Golden Gate Team, is no stranger to racing and has a history or championship driving to back up his new endeavor. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It will be a big plus to be working with such a talented team and one I get along with so well." Said O'Keefe.

O'Keefe has a record of making a spectacular showing in his rookie seasons. An example was his first year running an asphalt modified. His rookie year in modifieds was run at Altamont in 2004 when he took the honors of "Rookie of the Year", "Most Improved Driver" and came in first runner-up in the championship points battle. "Stepping up to the modifieds was great." I'd run shifter karts for years and the transition to openwheel short track racing was a blast. I hope I can do as well in my rookie year in the Grand Nationals." Said the 30 year old entrepreneur from Pleasant Hill, California.

Also new to the roster is 18 year old Luis Martinez Jr. This talented young driver is the son of Luis Martinez, owner of the King Taco Restaurant empire. Luis comes from a strong go kart background but has recently picked up some experience in larger open-wheel racing last season. He is scheduled to run at least 4 races in the second car; tentatively Infineon Raceway, Utah's Miller Motorsports Park and two races at Irwindale. Luis is anxious to try his skills in a tour car on large road courses. Steve Portenga will be tutoring the youngster on the finer points of winning a long road course race.

Jim Offenbach, Steven Portenga and David Mayhew traveled back to Welcome, NC for the annual Press Day and met with Richard Childress at the RCR headquarters and discussed the upcoming season while posing for photos and giving interviews to the flock of press that gathers at the shop. There they met with the East Coast Development team of Andy Santerre and their chief driver Austin Dillon. “It will be beneficial working closely with Andy Santerre, exchanging information and setups. We have raced together in the past and have a good working relationship." Said Portenga of his former rival.

For the Golden Gate team the highlight of the week was spending time with Richard Childress and cementing their mutual commitment to the series and season. "We have a long-standing relationship with Jimi and the GGRT team and are truly excited about the new season. We are were thrilled with the performances that David Mayhew turned out last season and are going to be keeping an eye on him." Quoted Richard Childress.

GGRT Visits Richard Childress Racing

Welcome, NC
Time flies, especially in NASCAR racing.  With only a few months till the NASCAR season openers across the country GGRT traveled back to RCR Racing in Welcome, NC to visit with Richard Childress and his teams to finalize contracts and arrangements for the coming year.  Top of the list was the announcement that David Mayhew is now an RCR Driver Development driver.   "It is great to be a part of this historic and prestigious organization.  I really enjoyed meeting with Richard and his team and in awe of the support they are offering this season.  I'm looking forward to having the best season of my career and to make them proud of their decision." Said Mayhew, shown above with team owner Jim Offenbach.  David, Jim and crew chief Steve Portenga all went back for the week long stay where they had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Richard Childress and top people in the company. 

David and Jim will be headed back on Jan 21 for Press Day.  Each year members of the press tour the country to get the early scoop on the teams, drivers, and changes for the coming season.  RCR is the first whistlestop on the national tour.  "The word 'Excited' just doesn't do justice to how the whole team feels about the renewed bonds with RCR.  With David Mayhew at the helm of some of the top cars in the world, and with Steve Portenga behind the scenes making those cars run at their peak, we know we have a winning team.  We have all new cars, motors, equipment and the best team and support from RCR - we know we will have a stellar season." Said Offenbach in a phone interview. 

"We have a lot on the plate right now, and some really big announcements coming down the pipe.  As a starter we are going to be running 2 and 1/2 teams this year.  To accommodate our growth we've added 2 new giant, top of the line haulers to the entourage. We are proud to announce that Austin Dillon will be testing with us. We also are working with a new driver to feature in our road course program, whose name we will be releasing soon.  And to share in all this we have picked up a huge new sponsor who we will announce shortly." Said Offenbach enthusiastically.  We are truly beyond excited about this coming season !!!

Check back soon for news and information about the 2008 season.  We will be featuring 3 drivers racing in 2 divisions, as well as running new tracks.  Special thanks again to our fantastic sponsors !

GGRT Adds Second Driver to Roster

It was announced today that Golden Gate Racing Team will be running a second car and driver in the Camping World Grand National West Series. Pat O'Keefe will be piloting the #31 car for the San Francisco based team on a projected limited race schedule. The team is planning on running both the #21 car with David Mayhew at the helm and the #31 at the season opener at the All American Speedway in Roseville on March 29 of this year. O'Keefe, who is also the owner of Golden Gate Petroleum and Bay Biodiesel - the primary sponsors of the Golden Gate Team, is no stranger to racing and has a history or championship driving to back up his new endeavor. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It will be a big plus to be working with such a talented team and one I get along with so well." Said O'Keefe.

O'Keefe has a record of making a spectacular showing in his rookie seasons. An example was his first year running an asphalt modified. His rookie year in modifieds was run at Altamont in 2004 when he took the honors of "Rookie of the Year", "Most Improved Driver" and came in first runner-up in the championship points battle. "Stepping up to the modifieds was great." I'd run shifter karts for years and the transition to openwheel short track racing was a blast. I hope I can do as well in my rookie year in the Grand Nationals." Mused the 30 year old entrepreneur from Pleasant Hill, California.

Pat started racing jet skis when he was 14. In fact, he won the IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) State Novice Championship in 1992. In 1993 he placed 3rd in the Expert Division and in 1994 moved to the second spot in overall championship points. He then moved on-land and started racing shifter karts. Concentrating on the top tracks in the west, such as Infineon Raceway, Stockton, Prairie City and others. He still enjoys dusting off his shifter kart to go out and fun, but competitive spin around the tracks.

In 2004 his spectacular showing in the asphalt modifieds at Altamont cemented his love of big, fast cars. In addition to his rookie honors, he finished in second place in 7 consecutive feature event races: "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, that year." Quipped the energetic fuel company executive. In 2005 he continued his success by being second in championship points for the Altamont modifieds.

In 2007 he met Jim Offenbach, owner of Golden Gate Meat Company in San Francisco, and a partnership was born. O'Keefe was very impressed with Offenbach's NASCAR Team, Golden Gate Racing , and offered to become the primary sponsor for the team about mid-season. "There is a real connection here and we are increasing our partnership. We now exclusively use is fuel to run our delivery and trucking operations and we have invited him to run the #31 car this season." Said Offenbach. "It really is a great match."

During the break between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, O'Keefe was encouraged to take the Grand National car for a spin at the Altamont track. Much to his own surprise, and that of crew chief Steve Portenga, his very first lap times would have put him near the forefront of qualifiers at the previous Grand National run at the venue. So, O'Keefe has accepted the team's offer to run the sleek car on at least a limited schedule. Just the logistics of running two cars at a Grand National event is a bit daunting but Portenga is confident that everything will be great. "We are looking at concentrating on the short oval tracks first, then, depending on how the balancing act works out, taking on more ambitious races." Portenga figured.

O'Keefe added, "I can't thank Jim Offenbach, Steve Portenga and the whole team for this opportunity. Oh, and of course my wife Lori for supporting me in this adventure."

ANTELOPE, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2008) – Eric Holmes, the 2006 NASCAR Camping World Series West champion, will return to the series this season and aggressively pursue winning another championship. Holmes will drive the NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored car campaigned by Bill McAnally Racing.

The 2008 season will mark the 18^{th year that NAPA has sponsored a McAnally car. The combination has won three Camping World West titles and a NASCAR Weekly Racing championship at All American Speedway.}

"Bill is a proven championship car owner," Holmes said. "I’ve always wanted to drive for him. The NAPA car has won with every driver he’s had in it, so I’m walking into a great situation."

Holmes called BMR, particularly the NAPA car, the "standard bearer," in the Camping World West Series.

"You have to see the shop and equipment," said Holmes. "The team of guys we’ve put together is a championship contender. It’s amazing. We have a great group of guys. They’re hard at it every day."

McAnally said he was surprised to hear that Holmes, 33 and from Escalon, Calif., was available for the 2008 season.

"After meeting with Eric and the owner of his championship team, Allen Beebe, we found out that Allen wanted to concentrate on his non-racing businesses for a while," McAnally said. "That was the impetus in making this deal come together. Allen and Eric worked together for a long time."

Ty Joiner, Holmes’ crew chief for the last five seasons, will rejoin BMR and continue working with Holmes. Joiner worked for McAnally early in his career.

"What an opportunity to find Eric and Ty and many members of their championship team to make a run at this year’s title," McAnally said.

The McAnally team will field three cars in the Camping World Series in 2008 and will continue to field late model stock cars at All American Speedway. The remainder of the McAnally drivers will be announced at a later date.

"All I can say is that I’ve already tested with the team and we’ve got a great driver lineup," Holmes said. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring Bill McAnally Racing and NAPA another championship season."

The chase for the 2008 championship begins March 29 when the 2008 season gets underway at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. The 13-race Camping World West schedule includes races in eight states on speedways, short ovals and road courses.

More information on Bill McAnally Racing is available at www.billmcanallyracing.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2007) – As we prepare to ring out 2007, Mike David does so with mixed emotions. The NASCAR Camping World Series West veteran driver is savoring his first series championship, while also looking ahead at the challenge of defending his title.

“It’s an honor to be the champion of the West series,” David said. “It was a goal of the whole team and we look forward to representing the series as the champion.”

Looking ahead to 2008, meanwhile, David says he is already feeling the pressure as the defending champion. It’s the first time he finds himself starting the season as the driver everyone is chasing. “It almost seems like more pressure than there was in 2007 to try to defend our championship,” David said. “We’re already working on our cars and working hard to improve our program.”

David closed out his 2007 season by clinching the series title by 114 points in the season finale in September. A month later the 40-year-old driver from Modesto, Calif., raced to a 14th-place finish in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. One night later he was crowned as the series champion during a special awards ceremony in Pasadena, Calif. But the honors did not stop there. David and his wife, Christie, traveled to New York earlier this month to take part in the elegant festivities of NASCAR’s Champions Week.

“That was incredible,” David said of his trip to the Big Apple. “NASCAR took very, very good care of us. It was red carpet treatment all the way. I loved all the old architecture we saw while walking around there and the banquet was a fantastic experience. One of the greatest things was getting a police escort on the way to the champions photo shoot at the Brooklyn Bridge. That was a cool experience.”

Now it’s time to get back to work, however. In each of his six full seasons of competing in the series, David has advanced higher in the championship standings each year. He finished seventh in 2002, sixth in 2004, fifth in 2005 and second in 2006. Now he is faced with the challenge of successfully defending his championship.

“We’re going to have some good competition. It’s not going to be easy,” David said. “Our team’s working hard to make sure we have all our cars prepared. We’ve already sent our engines to be freshened up and one car is getting a new body. Hopefully by the time Roseville rolls around we hope to have everything in place for the 2008 season.”

The NASCAR Camping World Series West will kick off a 13-race schedule for 2008 at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., on March 29. The broadcast schedule for the series on HDNet and SPEED is to be announced in the near future.