NASCAR WEST SERIES CHAMPION ERIC HOLMES TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS, THROW FIRST PITCH

(Phoenix, Az.) – Defending NASCAR West Series champion Eric Holmes will wave the green flag on an exciting day of NASCAR action as Phoenix International Raceway Day takes place on Friday, March 23 at Tucson Electric Park, where the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to host the Kansas City Royals at 1:05 p.m.

Holmes will be the game’s Honorary Starter, taking the mound to throw out the first pitch after receiving tips from Cy Young Award winners Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb.

The 32-year-old California native will also take batting practice and will meet with fans to sign autographs throughout the day. The PIR showcar and the PIR racing simulator will both be on exhibit outside of Tucson Electric Park, and fans looking to buy tickets will be able to do so before and during the game at a special PIR ticket display.

Holmes will return to PIR on Thursday, April 19 for the Phoenix 150 NASCAR West Series race, set to run under the lights on the one-mile desert oval. The green flag is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.

In its long history, the West Series has produced many top NEXTEL Cup competitors. Recent Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick is an alumnus of the West Series, and Daytona pole-setter David Gilliland is also a past West Series driver and crew chief.

NASCAR action heats up when the lights come on for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 Weekend at PIR, April 19-21, 2007. The party kicks off under the lights for Thursday’s Phoenix 150 NASCAR AutoZone West Series race. Friday night’s fiesta is the Bashas” Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Busch Series race. Then, the action reaches its pinnacle when the cars and stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series take the track for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500, the first night race of the 2007 NEXTEL Cup Season. Tickets are now on sale for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 weekend at PIR and can be purchased by calling 602-252-2227 or 866-408-7223 or online at www.racetickets.com.