NEWS ROOM: July 23, 2008

Last Friday night, July 18th at Spartan Speedway, 16-year-old Chad Finley put on a dominating display of driving as he won the 75-lap Feature in convincing fashion in his first career appearance in the Rives Junction, Michigan-based Super Pro Late Model Series!

"I can't tell you how happy I am right now!" An elated, Jeff Finley revealed afterwards in the Team Finley Racing pit stall. "The kid put on a show that's for sure! All of this teams' hard work is finally starting to pay off. Wow, what a job he did!" He added.

"We as a team owe it all to Howe Racing Enterprises and all the guys over there for helping us go through the cars and getting them straightened out." The 16-year-old contributed. "I owe everything to my Dad! He has taught me everything I have ever known since Day One. I learned what I know now from him."

Finley started the day off by winning his first career ARP Bodies / Corrigan Oil Fast Qualifier Award and setting a new Template Body / Crate Engine Track Record on the 1/4 mile semi-banked paved oval with a 13.228!

The previous track record for Template / Crate machines was set back on September 7, 2003 in what was the original USPRO Cup Series when Bob Varney turned a 13.248. The USPRO Cup Series that visited Spartan five years ago is now known as the ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division.

The Michigan teenager then drew a Seven (7) for an inversion, which meant he would start right in the middle of the 14-car field from the inside of the fourth row to begin the grinding 75-lap Feature.

Once the green flag flew, Finley patiently maneuvered his way through the field, reminiscent of his Father, a former multi-time Track Champion at "The Track the Stars Call Home" and would take over second spot from Defending Super Pro Series Champion, Tommy Cook on Lap 27. He then set his sights on Super Pro Series Points Leader and race leader, Rick Everidge.

Finley in his Auto Value - Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers / AutoParts2020.com Chevrolet, made short work of the Stroh, Indiana veteran and took the lead on Lap 32 and from their, checked out on the remainder of the field to score the convincing win!

"Wow, what a race that was! It was awesome to get out front early on and check out while Dad kept me pumped up to get to the end." The Younger Finley revealed. "It was truly a display of what we have been working on and striving towards all along!"

"I think I showed a speckle of the "old-man" with my restarts. I was really able to blister them. This Chevrolet Impala SS was hooked up all night long and once I got out front, I was really able to just ride it out and not push it too far to get myself in trouble." The DeWitt, Michigan teenager added. "This one means a lot for sure."

"There's been a lot of work by others to make this happen and first off is Dick and Mike from Howe's R-D shop as well as some new guys Chuck Hoffmeyer, Forrest Tyler, Josh Bruin, and Brian Warnaar." Added Jeff Finley.

"They helped in the shop for the last Three weeks and it showed." Finley continued. "Also a special thanks to Wayne Setterington and crew from BKR. They came up from the ARCA race at MIS a few weeks back and helped a ton."

"I call Wayne all the time for input. Hopefully we are onto something here that will continue to provide Chad with a good handling car from here on out." He ended.

The next race in the Template Bodied / Crate Engine car (tentatively) will be an ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division event at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee on Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, 2008 for the 2nd annual Crate American Race 200.

In the meantime, the young star will also be testing on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan and Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Springport Motor Speedway in Springport, Michigan before switching back to Outlaw mode this coming weekend.

Finley will return to Spartan Speedway for weekly competition in his Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model this Friday, July 25, 2008.




Thank You.
Chad Finley and Team Finley Racing