Race Results 2005 Points Driver Rosters Diecast Store
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Holmes second again
By Scott Linesburgh
Record Staff Writer
Published Sunday, June 26, 2005
SONOMA -- Eric Holmes had the perfect plan for success on Saturday. He would drive his new car, rent out the old one and finally win a race at Infineon Raceway.
It would have worked if it weren't for Tom Dyer, who gave Holmes $20,000 and got his money's worth by coming all the way from the back of the field to win the Blue Lizard Australian Suncream 200.
Dyer held off a challenge from Holmes to win the NASCAR Southwest Tour event in the car Holmes had driven at Infineon the past four races.
Holmes had mixed emotions about the results. The Escalon driver wants to win at Infineon, but he built both of the top two cars. So his frustration in Sonoma continued while his reputation as a car builder for Beebe Racing was enhanced.
"It's bittersweet," Holmes said. "I'm happy our cars finished 1-2 but disappointed I didn't win," Holmes said.
Dyer earned $7,700 for the win and made his next visit to Holmes more costly.
"The price will go up," Holmes promised.
Former Stockton 99 Speedway champion Steve Belletto of Modesto led the other area drivers by finishing seventh, his best finish at Infineon.
Travis McCullough started 40th and finished 28th.
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Area driver won't face challenge of passing
By Scott Linesburgh
Record Staff Writer
Published Saturday, June 25, 2005
SONOMA -- Infineon Raceway is a very difficult place to pass other cars and Eric Holmes has had to deal with heavy traffic at the track in the past. So he's thrilled that there will be no one in front of him at the start of today's NASCAR Southwest Series race.
Thanks to Holmes' sterling qualifying run of 90.546 mph on Friday, the Escalon driver will start on the pole of the Blue Lizard Australian Suncream 200 at Infineon.
The race begins at 1 p.m., and Holmes will be joined by a group of local drivers including Travis McCullough of Lodi, who got the final spot in the 42-car field.
The race will also include NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Boris Said, Travis Kvapil, Kyle Busch and Dave Blaney.
Michael Waltrip also qualified, but he wrecked his car in a crash and is unlikely to compete.
Holmes, 30, has raced at Infineon six times and finished third in 2002. He's also had to race from the back of the field.
"To me, that's the biggest thing here. You have to stay out front," Holmes said. "It's just so tough to pass. It's good we're starting out front, and lets hope we stay there."
Holmes won his first pole at Infineon, and has only bene racing a part-time schedule this season. But he wouldn't miss this race.
"We've been saving up for this, and it looks like it may pay off," Holmes said.
Former Stockton 99 Speedway driver Burney Lamar qualified second at 90.103.
Steve Belletto of Modesto, a former track champion at Stockton 99, was 17th 88.283. McCullough had engine problems all day and qualified 37th. Tour officials awarded five provisional spots and McCullough was pushed down to 42nd.
"Well, we just made it," McCullough said. "We had an oil leak to deal with and other things and I know we could have done much better. But we're in, and we'll see how we do."
Waltrip wanted to run the Southwest Series race to hone his skills on the road course, but couldn't find a backup car late Friday after a racing altercation with Wes Banks of Oakdale on the top of the hill in turn No. 2.
Banks spun out into the dirt and was coming back on to the track when Waltrip hit his car.
"I went of in the dirt and we were on the hill and it's hard to see up there," Banks said. "I hate to see it for Mike, but it's one of those things that happened."
Waltrip's car is owned Steve Johnson of Modesto.
