Fifteen minutes away from Talladega Superspeedway, Munford native Bret Holmes looks to use lessons taught by the great Alabama drivers to build his young career. He starts his Alabama racing homecoming on Friday, April 29, in the General Tire 200 ARCA Racing Series event at the biggest and baddest track in the world – Talladega.
Holmes, like many drivers, has idolized the mammoth 2.66-mile venue and the gladiators that have carved legacies there. With a dream to one day make it to NASCAR’s biggest stage, he will look to make his mark at the track he calls home.
“There is no bigger race this year in my eyes,” said Holmes, who made his debut in ARCA earlier this month at Nashville and came away with an impressive fifth-place finish. “I grew up going to races at Talladega with my family and dreamed one day to be part of the group that could claim they battled the track and won. Getting the opportunity to get out there for a chance to put my name up with the guys that I have idolized since I was a kid is an honor and I do not take it lightly.”
Holmes is only 18 years old, but already is a veteran of more than 10 years racing on various circuits. Starting competitively at age eight and following in his father Stacy’s footsteps, Holmes cut his teeth on dirt at Talladega Short Track, just down the street from Talladega Superspeedway.
“My dad raced at Talladega Short Track for many years and was extremely successful,” he said. “He set the track record there until I broke it in 2013. The red dirt runs through my veins — and that is where I learned to race — but I always had the drive to get out on the asphalt and make a name for myself there. It was a tough switch, but thanks to the amazing people around me, we made it happen.”
One of those helping Holmes along his journey is fellow Alabamian and 2015 ARCA Racing Series champion driver Grant Enfinger, who served as Holmes’ crew chief at Nashville, and plans to be at Talladega to assist Holmes in any way he can.
“Grant and GMS have been great to me and the team,” Holmes said. “He is an Alabama guy and I think it is important that I try to get every lesson out of him I can. I just can’t begin to tell you how exciting this partnership is to me and our guys. I hope we can make them proud.”
Holmes, who plans to compete in seven ARCA races in 2016, is not just a driver, he also is a dedicated, full-time college student at Auburn University, where he is studying Building Science and is a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He knows that one day he might have to pursue racing instead of school, but for now he can at least learn something else that isn’t racing.
“It is definitely tough to balance school, fraternity, and racing all at once, but I make it work,” added Holmes, who graduated The Donoho School in Anniston. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I am glad I can have something to fall back on.”
Holmes hopes to call himself a member of famed The Alabama Gang by following the examples of the great Alabama drivers before him with character in performance, and what better place to leave a mark than Talladega Superspeedway. After all, Alabama Gang members’ Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Davey Allison, Neil Bonnett and Red Farmer all tasted victory at Talladega.
Holmes and the other talented drivers from the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards are set to run in the General Tire 200 on April, 29th. For ticket information, including many upgrade opportunities, for the GEICO 500, Sparks Energy 300 and General Tire 200 events, log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.
The anticipated weekend kicks off on Friday, April 29, with practice sessions for the Sparks Energy 300 for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and GEICO 500, as well as practice, qualifying and the drop of the green flag for the General Tire 200 ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards at 5 p.m. CDT. Saturday’s schedule includes qualifying for the GEICO 500 as well as time trials and the start of the Sparks Energy 300 at 2 p.m. CDT. Later that evening, Big & Rich featuring Cowboy Troy, will headline the traditional Infield Concert. Admission is free with a GEICO 500 ticket. The GEICO 500 race Sunday is set for a 12:00 p.m. (CDT) start.
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