NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series points leader Eric Holmes has adapted quickly to new tracks on the circuit this 2006 season. He hoping to continue that luck this weekend at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas where the BRE team is headed for the eleventh out of twelve events this season.

Thunder Hill Raceway is a 3/8-mile D-shaped paved oval with nine degrees banking in turns one and four, 12 degrees banking in the turns two and three, six degrees banking in the front straight and five degrees of banking in the back straight.

There is a Championship battle with the top 5 drivers with Eric Holmes (No. 62 Sunoco Race Fuels/Paul Oil Chevrolet) leading the championship challenge this year. He has a 27-point lead over Mike David. Mike Duncan is 65 points out of first. The leading Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate, Peyton Sellers is fourth in the standings 92 markers back of the leader. Steve Portenga is 99 points out sitting in the fifth postion.

Many special things are planned for this event by Full Throttle Productions, including a special pre-race Texas-style barbecue for the teams on Friday. In addition to numerous advance promotions, various family-oriented activities are planned the day of the race with games, rides and competition for children. In addition to Raceland, other activities include a rock-climbing wall, jumpers, face painting and vendor booths. A driver autograph session is slated, along with special fireworks. Again this year, additional temporary seating is also being brought in.

Live musical entertainment is planned as part of the event during the day on Saturday. Those slated to perform include recording artists Ryan James, No Justice and Trent Willmon.

When it comes to qualifying, Eric Holmes is on a hot streak. He has qualified first or second quickest in seven consecutive series races.

The Allstate Texas Thunder 200 race will be held on Saturday September 30 at 8:30 p.m., with qualifying starting at 5:30 p.m.

The race will be televised live on HDNet. Enhanced replay will be on SPEED on Oct. 12th at 2:30 pm (PT).

This Week’s Series Leaders - Through 10 races of the NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series season:

· Points leader - Eric Holmes, 1,539

· Money won - Mike David, $67,148

· Laps led - Eric Holmes, 253

· Laps completed - Mike Duncan, 1,594; Jim Inglebright, 1,594

· Average finish - Eric Holmes, 7.2

· Victories - Mike David, 2; Andrew Myers, 2

· Poles - Eric Holmes, 3

· Top-five finishes - Eric Holmes, 7

· Top-10 finishes - Steve Portenga, 9

· Races led - Eric Holmes, 6; Mike David, 6

October Birthdays: Eric Holmes - 16th turns 32

Tim Woods III - 11th turns 32