For most drivers, an 18th place finish in the season opener at Daytona would be a downer to start the year, but for Bret Holmes his Daytona finish is just a new beginning.

 

After a 10^th place finish in the points standings in 2018 the family owned race team went back to the drawing board with equipment, cars, people and most importantly the addition of new crew chief, Shane Huffman.

 

A veteran of the NASCAR Gander Mountain Truck Series, Huffman led Brandon Jones and Harrison Burton to wins last year in the ARCA Series, the pairing with Holmes has paid dividends from their first lap.

 

"Everything is different this year, we were faster at the test, right off the trailer. We ran up front in the race and there is a lot of confidence with our race team," offered Holmes.

Holmes hails from Munford, Alabama population 1,292 a stone's throw from Talladega Superspeedway and Talladega Short Track.  While Holmes cut his racing teeth on the dirt track down the road he is no stranger to Pensacola's 5 Flags Speedway having won the Pro Late Model Championship at Pensacola in 2016.

 

"Pensacola is one of the most challenging short tracks we'll face all year. It's a short track but you drive it a lot like an intermediate track. You are always turning and you have to keep your momentum up to go fast," continued Holmes.

 

Holmes first two seasons in the ARCA Menards Series produced top 10s in the final point's standings. A Junior at Auburn University, Holmes will balance a full time class schedule in Building Science and a full slate of racing. Expect the boys from Munford, Alabama to be contenders for the title.

 

The ARCA Menards Series returns to Pensacola 5 Flags Speedway on March the 9^th for the ARCA Pensacola 200. Tickets and camping spots can be purchased online at www.5flagsspeedway.com or calling 850-944-8400.