[jeff finley]

Chad Finley Racing Contact: Jeff Finley
For Immediate Release: 517-819-1560

Near Victory at Home Track for 19-year-old Chad Finley

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, September 6th, 2011): The Big “O” Classic 100 Presented by JEGS.com had all the makings of a complete and successful comeback for 19-year-old Chad Finley as the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts was at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan, just 20 minutes from Finley’s race shop in DeWitt, Michigan.

In the series’ previous race at the legendary Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana back on August 20th, Finley ended up on his roof after a hard crash which destroyed his race car. After taking the battered machine up to Howe Racing Enterprises in Beaverton, Michigan followed by bringing the new piece back to the race shop and spending countless hours getting the #42 AutoParts2020.com Ford Fusion ready to go for the weekend, things were looking good for Finley at Owosso.

After starting on the pole of the century grind at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked paved oval in Central Michigan, Finley dominated throughout the first 3/4s of the 100-lap feature when the lights went out “literally” on his chances of a win!

The backstretch lights suddenly went out on lap 72 forcing the field to come to a halt. During the red flag for repairs to the lights, a slow leak developed in Finley’s right front tire and once the field was restarted, he was forced to pit to change the tire and would restart at the rear of the field. Finley would then put on a display of driving few have seen in recent memory as he came from 19th all the way up to third and was on runner-up finisher, Josh Nelms’ back bumper before ending the race on the podium in third.

“I don’t know what we have to do get some good luck sent our way! Man, to lead that many laps and have a crazy red flag for track lights going out is unreal,” a dejected Finley remarked. “We picked up a tiny piece of wire in the right front that caused our flat. I am just heartbroken for all my guys and sponsors. We had a lot of folks here tonight and we had them covered on the track!”

“My spotter was telling me to ride and I said I am!” He laughed. “I told him; I’m only running about 80%, that’s how good the car was! We really needed this one for my guys. We all really worked hard to get prepared for this race after Winchester. After the open test on Wednesday, we honestly weren’t that good. But the crew never gave up and went right back at it and really tuned on it and that car was awesome. After the flat tire, we blasted up through and got a third out of it, so at least we salvaged something.”

There’s little time to reflect on his run at Owosso as the JEGS/CRA/GM series will now head to the historic 7/16s (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval of Berlin Raceway, located West of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan on Saturday, September 10th for the running of the Berlin 100 Presented by JEGS.com. Finley has enjoyed success at Berlin in an ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards car as he finished third there in the 2009 event for ARCA.

“We’ll keep digging and go to Berlin and hope for a good solid finish,” He continued. “We’re so close to winning one of these things and despite our luck this season we’re right in the middle of the series title chase. We still have a shot at winning the whole thing. I know Berlin is tough on some guys and I hope our past success there can continue this weekend and maybe we can get to victory lane there.” Finley ended.

Going into the race at Berlin and off of his podium finish at Owosso, Finley has vaulted up the points standings and went from sixth to fourth in the season long points chase. He’s only five markers behind third place Josh Nelms (691-686) and is only 68 points out of the points lead in the chase for the inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts Championship.

So far in 2011, Finley has recorded three top five finishes with a season high of a second coming at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan back on June 17th. His two other top five’s were third place finishes at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio back on May 28th and his most recent podium showing at Owosso. Overall, he has accumulated six top 10 finishes in eight starts.

The #42 Howe Racing Enterprises template machine with a Ford Fusion body and a crate motor from Phil Harper Motorsports carries sponsorship from; AutoParts2020.com, as well as Rain Eater Wiper Blades, Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores & Certified Service Centers, the Airlift Company, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, NorthsideTowing.net, and M.P.H. Promotions.

To learn more about Chad Finley and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities within the organization for the remainder of the 2011 Racing Season within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour as well as limited appearances in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and looking ahead to the 2012 campaign, log on to one of two websites: www.chadfinleyracing.com and www.teamrensimotorsports.com
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Respectfully Jeff Finley
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