Chad Finley

Finley, whose part of the Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) Driver Development program, was just looking to close out his limited 2009 ARCA schedule with a solid finish on Sunday, October 12th. Little did he know that the day before would turn out to be pivotal and career changing for the DeWitt, Michigan teenager.

Finley’s Rockingham weekend couldn’t have started any better as he won his first career Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell on Saturday afternoon, October 11th on Qualifying Day for the ARCA American 200 over the 46-car field as he posted a new track record of a 24.494 around the one-mile oval, which measured out to 146.975 mph.

“What a weekend. Never been here before or even seen this place. We unloaded and got on the track and this place is real slippery. Made a few adjustments and got a ton better,” He explained. “(Crew Chief) Wayne Setterington is just awesome, we made a long run in practice and he talked me through the car just getting so loose because this place just eats up your tires.”

As Finley was preparing to head out for one more practice session, Mother Nature intervened and forced cancellation of the rest of Practice. “Before the rains hit, Wayne just kept fine tuning it and we were getting ready to make a sticker run to see what we had and the rain came in, so to sit on the pole was huge for us and just shows what everyone at BKR is capable of.” Finley remarked.

In his three previous ARCA appearances in 2009, his last start prior to Rockingham, was way back on July 25th at the famed Berlin Raceway, located West of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan for the Wolverine Power Systems 200 Presented by Generac, Finley proved he belonged with an impressive third place finish.

His podium finish came on the heels of a sixth place showing in his ARCA debut at Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio back on May 17th and a ninth place showing at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on July 11th. Now he was going to be leading the field to the green in only his fourth career start and at Rockingham no less!

“I didn’t think we had enough to get the pole, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise.” He continued. “I finished ninth in an ARCA race at Iowa earlier this year and that is the biggest track I’ve been too so far other than Rockingham in ARCA. I ran the Milwaukee Mile and Bristol Motor Speedway last season though in an ASA Late Model Series race.”

Finley started on the pole next to 2009 ARCA title contender, Parker Kligerman, who’s been the man to beat this season in ARCA competition and was in a fight of his own for the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship with Justin Lofton, who was scheduled to start second, but went to the rear of the field at the start due to an engine change.

After Kligerman paced the field for the first two laps, Finley drove around the eight-time race winner on the outside coming out of turn four to complete lap three and retook the point. From their, Finley set a torrid pace around the Tar Heel State oval and would lead the next 42 laps until Steve Arpin took the lead using lapped traffic on lap 45.

Throughout the afternoon and even after pit stops, Finley maintained a top five standing during the first 3/4s of the 200-lap feature. Then a chain reaction incident on a late restart forced Finley into the back of nine-time ARCA Series Champion, Frank Kimmel, who was trying to avoid a slowing Arpin, who broke a transmission on lap 161.

Finley fought an ill handling race car the rest of the day and finished 15th. “To lead that many laps and run as well as we did all day is great. That last restart something happened up front that caused a chain reaction and we got into the back of Kimmel and hurt the front down force on the car.” Finley explained.

“The car just wouldn’t turn those last 25 laps or so, so we were just hanging on there to get to the end of the race. I honestly thought we had a chance at it or at least a Top Three finish. I am not disappointed though just heart broken for every one at BKR.”

As for the race itself, Kligerman won the ARCA American 200, his ninth victory of the year, but it would be Lofton who would clinch the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championships after starting 41st and finishing in third!

Finley’s impressive showing throughout the weekend didn’t go unnoticed as Car Owner, Brad Keselowski himself made the trip to North Carolina after finishing fifth the night before in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. “It was great to have him here and have him talk to me a little bit on the radio.” The appreciative Great Lakes State driver added. “It meant a lot to me.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity presented to me this year with these guys. Hopefully we can find some sponsorship to carry on next year. I believe we have showed that we can do it with this race team, we just need some financial backing to make it happen.” Finley ended.

Throughout the 2009 racing season, all of Finley’s cars carried sponsorship from Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers as well as AutoParts2020.com on his #29 Chevrolet in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well as his #42 Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model.

In addition, more sponsorship comes from; NorthsideTowing.net, PassTimeUSA.com, Neal’s Truck Parts of Grand Rapids Michigan, Bayside Inn of Key Largo Florida, Nalett Trucking, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Velocity Graphix, M.P.H. Promotions, and Howe Racing Enterprises

To learn more about Chad Finley and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 racing season, log onto the teams website at: www.chadfinleyracing.com

- M.P.H. Promotions Press Release

Chad Finley

And that’s good news for Finley who’s helping contribute to the young news makers in 2009 in the no. 29 Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR)-prepared Chevrolet.

Finley, the son of ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran/winner Jeff Finley, has earned two top-10 finishes in his only two starts on tour – a solid sixth in his debut at Toledo Speedway back in May and a ninth place run last week at Iowa Speedway.

Next stop – Berlin Raceway for the Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac Saturday, July 25. And for once, the Lansing, Michigan local favorite finally gets to race at a track that’s familiar to him.

“We’ve been there (at Berlin) six or seven times,” said Finley. “We ran an ASA (late model) car there as well. We were running in the top-five in the ASA race before our tire went flat. We’ve also run our Outlaw (late model) car there, but the people who run there have been there forever so it’s been very tough. We’ve had a couple top-10s.”

But it also must have been tough last week at Iowa, a track that Finley had never seen before until he got there race weekend.

“Iowa was a huge learning curve for me. Wayne (Setterington/crew chief) and all the guys at BKR brought a really good car. When we got to the track we were struggling with the car being too tight in the center of the corner and we really didn’t get it cured till the end of the day; all the guys busted their backs to get the car where it needed to be. I really want to thank all of them for their hard work.

“We also drew a number one pill for qualifying and that made things really difficult. It was my first time qualifying. We managed to qualify 15th with a really loose race car. During the race we started off way too loose and quickly fell back. But Wayne just kept telling me to keep digging and that he would get it fixed up for me. We finally got the car tightened up at about lap 90 and started to pick are way back to the front; we just lost too much time in the beginning to ever make up. We also had a miscue on pit road and lost six spots. It’s tough to look out your window (on pit road) and watch cars drive by when you can’t do anything about it. But these things happen; it’s no one’s fault. We’re ready for Berlin.”

The event at Berlin marks Finley’s first ARCA RE/MAX Series start in his home state of Michigan and he’s had this race circled on his calendar ever since the deal was struck with BKR to race the #29 Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers Chevrolet.

“It’s (Berlin) definitely a driver’s track. Gotta be easy on and off the gas pedal and ready with the brake pedal when you need it. It’s a small track, but it’s a tough track. I mean, Kyle Busch came here with the CRA cars and finished sixth.

“I know it’s close to the lake (Lake Michigan) too. It gets really humid at night around here, especially when it’s hot, and the track really slicks up. It can be hard to find the set-up for; you’re always turning.

“We definitely expect to run in the top-10. I’ll be disappointed if we’re not in the top-five really. Our car is definitely capable with Brad’s (Keselowski) stuff. Do we have a chance to win? Yah, I think we do. If we have no mistakes on pit road and I can stay out of trouble.”

Finley, who has already earned outlaw late model victories at Spartan Speedway in Michigan, has plans to race in two more ARCA RE/MAX Series events in 2009 – again at Toledo in early September and the season finale at Rockingham Speedway.

Finley’s cars in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and in the outlaw late model ranks will sport prominent decals from Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers as well as AutoParts2020.com throughout 2009.

In addition, associate sponsors include NorthsideTowing.net, Neal’s Truck Parts of Grand Rapids Michigan, Bayside Inn of Key Largo Florida, Nalett Trucking, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Velocity Graphix, M.P.H. Promotions, and Howe Racing Enterprises.

To learn more about Chad Finley and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of 2009 racing season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well as other select events this season and in 2010, e-mail the team at biz@chadfinleyracing.com or visit the team’s website http://www.chadfinleyracing.com.

- ARCA Press Release

Chad Finley

Back on May 18th, the home base of the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio hosted the Menards 200 Presented by Federated Car Care. Finley made his ARCA debut behind the wheel of the #29 Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers Chevrolet for Brad Keselowski Racing.

The DeWitt, Michigan teenager finished an impressive sixth after starting 27th due to Qualifying getting rained out. Finley ran inside the top five all day long and impressed many onlookers in the process.

Now Finley shifts his focus on his next scheduled start for Brad Keselowski Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, which will be this Saturday, July 13th at the immaculate 7/8s (0.875) mile progressively banked paved oval of Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa for the Prairie Meadows 200.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Newton. Toledo was so much fun and the car drove really well. I know Wayne (Crew Chief, Wayne Setterington) and all the guys from BKR have prepared us another really good car.” The Great Lakes State teenager said. “The crew put a Pro Motor in it last week and I could tell in Wayne’s voice that it’s a real good piece.”

“This will be a challenge for me,” Finley continued. “We practice Friday and then go back and qualify on Saturday with no practice. I have never done that before so that will be really different. I’m ready though and I have the utmost trust and respect for Wayne and his guys in the car as well as our guys.”

After to Iowa, Finley is scheduled for three more starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series beginning at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan on July 25th. Then it’s back to Toledo Speedway over the Labor Day Holiday Weekend on Friday, September 4th. Finally, Finley will complete his 2009 limited schedule in ARCA with the season finale at Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

“I just have to thank Auto Value Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers and Northside Towing.net as well as Baysidekeylargo.com for all there support to make all this happen. Also Brad Keselowski; His kindness and support is just really very much appreciated.” He ended.

Throughout the 2009 racing season, all of Finley’s cars will sport prominent decals from Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores and Certified Service Centers as well as AutoParts2020.com on his #29 Chevrolet in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well as his #42 Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model.

In addition, more sponsorship comes from; NorthsideTowing.net, Neal’s Truck Parts of Grand Rapids Michigan, Bayside Inn of Key Largo Florida, Nalett Trucking, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Velocity Graphix, M.P.H. Promotions, and Howe Racing Enterprises

- Brad Keselowski Racing Press Release