As the 2011 season officially came to an end with the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Awards Banquet on January 13th, the 19-year-old Finley was honored not only for his third place finish in the inaugural season within the JEGS / CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts, Finley was awarded the 2011 JEGS/CRA Sportsman of the Year award. Now Finley and the CFR team have some more exciting news.
CFR, based in Dewitt, Michigan is very happy to announce a pair of solid partnerships beginning with Kawkawlin, Michigan businessman, Mike Staszak of XLT Engineering. Together they plan an all-out assault on the 2012 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts Championship. In addition, Finley also plans on running select events within the ARCA / CRA Super Series as well as making limited appearances behind the wheel of an Outlaw bodied Super Late Model at special events throughout the Midwest.
“I am very proud of all of my guys at CFR. We built this race team from the ground up in a short amount of time. They have proved themselves time and time again to be winners,” An appreciative Jeff Finley stated. “It’s my goal to award them the wins they deserve for their hard work and dedication. Being at BKR (Brad Keselowski Racing) for that short stint opened my eyes and taught me what I needed to do to build a winning team. I feel we should have found victory lane a few times in 2011, but they got away because of bad luck.”
“Now with Mike (Staszak) coming on board, I believe he will be the final piece to the puzzle. We will be able to do more testing which I think hurt us some last year.” Finley continued. “Chad and I talked a lot over this past season and this off season on things we could do that would benefit us most and at the end of the day it was testing.” He said.
Staszak added; “I met the Finley’s at an ASA Late Model Series race a few years back. Chad impressed me at that point. Then we went to the JEGS/CRA race at Dixie last year and he ran second and I was impressed yet again.” He explained. “I got to talking with his Dad (Jeff Finley) and how things were going for his career. Then after we talked, I felt I could help them some. So I got to talking with Chas (Howe) at Howe Racing Enterprises well as others about them and everyone had nothing but good things to say about them and their hard work and dedication.”
He then continued; “XLT Engineering is proud to become associated with them and look forward to helping them achieve their goals. There goals are pretty simple and it is to work hard and win races. That was very nice to hear and again I am going to help them with that.” Staszak ended.
Staszak is a part-time driver himself and will make select appearances in JEGS/CRA as well as a number of event at near-by Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan in the tracks weekly Super Stocks division. Similar to Pro Late Models around the country, this division utilizes the Template body / Crate motor packaged used in JEGS/CRA.
In addition, CFR also is very proud to announce a continuing working relationship with Howe Racing Enterprises based out of Beaverton, Michigan. “There was an opportunity for us to switch chassis builders. But I felt that with where our program was and how much (Crew Chief) Jimmy D. Smith and all the guys had learned and progressed over the year, we should just stay at home with Howe Racing Enterprises.” Finley added. “The guys all agreed and Chas (Howe) has been a big help to us every step of the way all year and it will continue on in 2012.”
“I have known Jeff (Finley) for many years and I don’t know of anyone more dedicated to racing both as a racer and a father,” Offered Chas Howe, President of Howe Racing Enterprises. “The Finley family has been tremendous advocates for Howe Racing and it is great to see another generation continuing this with Chad (Finley).”
Howe then added; “Chad has proven that he can run up front and given the opportunity I believe he is capable of contending for the win in any event. He ran very well last season considering that he was working with a new team and a limited budget. I am expecting an even better year for Chad this season with Mike (Staszak) coming on board.” Howe ended.
While still in the off-season, the 19-year-old (who turns 20 on March 17th) is entered in the Champion Spark Plugs “Search for a Champion” contest. Finley is entered in the “Asphalt” category. Voting is on-going and continues up to February 5th. After viewing the video, cast your vote and help him earn at least $10,000 for being a top five finalist and have a chance at a $50,000 Grand Prize. The link to the video is located on the front page of the CFR website at: www.chadfinleyracing.com
During the inaugural JEGS/CRA campaign, Finley finished third in the final points standings with five top five finishes including a season high second place finish on two occasions; At Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana on October 2nd, after starting 35th, and at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan on June 17th. He also racked up an impressive nine top 10 finishes in the 11 series events.
Throughout the 2011 racing season, Finley’s #42 Howe Racing Enterprises template bodied machine with a Ford Fusion body and a crate engine from Phil Harper Motorsports carried sponsorship from Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores & Certified Service Centers as well as AutoParts2020.com, Rain Eater Wiper Blades, The Airlift Company, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, NorthsideTowing.net, Nalett Trucking, and M.P.H. Promotions.
For the 2012 racing season, many of the same sponsors will return to the fold in addition to XLT Engineering and Howe Racing Enterprises. As soon as those contracts are finalized and signed, they will be announced. To learn more about Chad Finley Racing and to inquire about every type of sponsorship opportunity available for the upcoming season, log on to the CFR website at: www.chadfinleyracing.com
- Chad Finley Racing Press Release
