16-year-old Chad Finley comes home to Spartan Speedway and dominates the Lipari 75 Presented by Penske Racing Shocks.
By Team Finley Racing / M.P.H. Promotions

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, July 22, 2008): Team Finley Racing Car Owner, Jeff Finley was all smiles on Friday night, July 18, 2008 at Spartan Speedway, located Southeast of Lansing in Mason, Michigan at the conclusion of the Lipari Foods 75 Presented by Penske Racing Shocks.

That’s because his driver and son, 16-year-old Chad Finley just got done putting on a dominating display of driving as the teenager from near-by DeWitt, Michigan 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!” The elated Car Owner 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 ¼ 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 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 switch back to Outlaw mode this coming weekend and will return to Spartan Speedway for weekly competition in his Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model this Friday, July 25, 2008.

So far in 2008 in weekly competition and despite missing some events due to his travels with the ASA Late Model Series Northern Division, Finley is sixth in the season long points chase.

Along-with his Feature Win, Finley has also recorded Four Top Fives and Two Preliminary event wins including his own sponsors Northside Service Dash for Cash held during the Charlie Ryan Jr., Memorial.

For the remainder of the 2008 season, the 16-year-old Great Lakes State driver will sport the Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers colors as well as the AutoPart2020.com decals on the side of both the Outlaw Cars and the Template cars.

In addition, more sponsorship comes from; Northside Service, Nalett Trucking, Renewal Technologies, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Velocity Graphix, Howe Racing Enterprises, M.P.H. Promotions, Team Rensi Motorsports, and Team Finley Racing.

To learn more about the rest of the 2008 racing season within Team Finley Racing and driver, Chad Finley, please go to the teams website at: http://www.chadfinley.com