Holmes Finally Finds Success At Phoenix
Eric Holmes bounced back from a sub-par start to his NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season with a win at Phoenix in the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 100.
Jason Christley
NASCAR Media Relations
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Eric Holmes came to Phoenix International Raceway looking for a good points day after a rough start to his NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season. He certainly accomplished his goal Thursday with a win in the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 100.
Holmes outlasted runner-up Jason Bowles and third-place Greg Pursley in a race that ended under caution following one attempt at a green-white-checkered. Jonathon Gomez and David Mayhew rounded out the top five. Mayhew was second when the final caution came out, but came down pit road instead of taking the checkered flag on the track.
The last yellow flag came out for a multi-car wreck on the front stretch on the restart. The race was slowed by 10 caution periods, including two red flags.
There were eight lead changes among six drivers. Holmes led twice for 17 laps, including the final 12 after taking the lead on a restart from Pursley.
Holmes arrived at Phoenix looking to get his season on track after he broke an axle and finished 20th in the season opener on March 27. The win clinched Holmes a spot in the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. The win was a long-time coming for Holmes, who has twice finished runner-up at Phoenix (2006 and 2009) and ran out of gas after dominating the first half of the 2008 race. It was the 10th career victory for the two-time series champion.
Darryl Harr, Stan Silva Jr., Todd Souza, Taylor Barton and Michael Self rounded out the top 10.
Andrew Myers won the Coors Light Pole Award Thursday afternoon, but had his day cut short on Lap 48 after cutting a tire. He wasn't the only driver to suffer misfortune. NASCAR K&N Pro Series East regular Brett Moffitt led a race-high 36 laps but was knocked out of the lead on Lap 89 after contact with second-place Greg Pursley. Moffitt rallied to finish 11th. Paulie Harraka, who won the season opener, was also involved in an accident and finished 29th.
Pursley took over the points lead. He and Mayhew have 320 points. Holmes is third with 288. Josh Combs also has 288, and Todd Souze is fifth with 276,
The race will air on SPEED on Thursday, April 22 at 6 p.m. ET.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West next races on May 23 in the annual combination event with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.
