BHR and crew chief part ways after nine races

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Changes are coming to the No. 23 Chevy team at the mid-point of the 2017 ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards season.

Crew chief Bryan Berry and Bret Holmes Racing have decided to part ways after nine races together this season as Berry has chosen to pursue other opportunities in racing.

BHR management already is discussing internally and with officials from GMS Racing, who BHR operates as a satellite organization for, about who will assume Berry’s duties for the remainder of the season. A decision on the new crew chief will be announced soon.

“These things happen and it is just a part of the business,” Bret Holmes said. “We wish Bryan the best and appreciate all the time and effort he put into our cars here at BHR. Now we move on and find someone else to pick up the torch and move us forward. We are confident to have a replacement or solution in-place by Iowa.”

Berry, a long-time NASCAR veteran, came to BHR in the offseason between the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In nine races, his cars had an average starting spot of 11.0 and an average finishing position of 11.2. The No. 23 Southern States Bank Chevy also managed two top-5 finishes at Michigan and Elko as well as five top-10’s this season.

“We have been decent so far this season, but definitely not where we need to be,” Holmes said. “We feel like we can now pursue another crew chief who can get us to where we need to be. We are better than where we have been running, and I think this is a perfect time for a change.”

The change comes after Holmes managed a 7th-place finish at Madison International Speedway this past week in the Montgomery Ward 200 that was anything but memorable for the Munford, Ala., native.

Over the 200-lap race, Holmes fought a car that lacked the necessary speed to run up front. And although he made solid strides in advancing his SCOTT Rookie Challenge goals, he was not satisfied with not being able to compete for the win.

“I just feel like we have to get our equipment a little faster to compete for the lead in these races and Madison was a good illustration of our season so far,” Holmes said. “We started out in the back and fought as hard as we could, but still only managed seventh.”

“We needed a change, and now we have one.”

Holmes and BHR will take the remainder of the off week to gear up for the Fans With Benefits 150 July 8 at Iowa Speedway.

This will be Holmes first time at the 7/8-mile track dubbed the “Fastest Short Track on the Planet.”

“I am always excited to go to new tracks, and especially new short tracks,” Holmes said. “Hopefully we can unload fast and really give the race our best shot. This team deserves a win.”

Practice for the Fans With Benefits 150 is 11:30 – 1 p.m. Saturday with General Tire Pole Qualifying following at 3:15. The race is scheduled to take the green flag at 8:18. Follow Live Timing, Scoring and Chat at arcaracing.com. The race will also be tape-delayed on MAVTV, scheduled to air July 22 at 10 p.m. ET.

BHR PR

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