Chad Finley Makes NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Return At Dover International Speedway

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After a two-year hiatus, Chad Finley will return to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) driving for Calabrese Motorsports in Friday afternoon’s Dover 125 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

Finley made his last K&N Pro Series East start in the season finale two years ago this September in a race where mechanical gremlins left the Dewitt, Michigan sidelined after just four laps.

Flash forward to present day, the Michigander is excited to partner with Calabrese Motorsports and contend for the win in his No. 43 Auto Value / AirLift / All Star Performance/North Side Service Ford Fusion in the series’ season finale.

“It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been in an K&N car, but I’m stoked to go back to that series and race at Dover,” said Finley. “It’s a great opportunity for me to stay in the seat and get some confidence back at the same time.”

While every driver faces confidence hiccups at one time or another during their career for Finley, it’s about getting the opportunity to challenge for a win – something that eluded him two weeks ago at Chicagoland Speedway in the ARCA Racing Series.

Finley’s family-owned team brought an incredibly fast race car for the SCOTT 150 at Chicagoland, but an untimely hub a bad pit stop quickly squashed his opportunity to earn his first career ARCA victory. Now, the 24-year-old is focused on finishing what he started at Chicagoland – even if it’s an different series or car.

“The guys at Calabrese Motorsports have been busting their tails to get this car ready,” added Finley. “I mean they want to go out and end the season on a high note and I think with our determination we can achieve anything you want too. Of course, it’s Dover too and sometimes Miles’ bites and we just have to do the best to avoid that at all costs Friday. I was bitten the last time I was there and that wasn’t fun.”

Finley says the addition of crew chief Bruce Cook to their stables this season has been influential and with his wisdom and assisting Calabrese Motorsports in the setup of the K&N car, he hopes it pays off for not only him, but for his marketing partners too.

“There’s a lot that goes into putting us on the track,” added Finley. “It’s not only having a car and engine, it’s about having the right people and the right partners to get you there and go fast and turn left. I’ve been fortunate to have Bruce on our side this year. We may not have had the results we’ve been looking for at times this year, but that’s just part of racing.

“Friday may be our last race of the season and to end it on a high note will make all the sacrifices with it.”

Finley will take Auto Value Certified Services Centers, All-Star Performance, Air Lift Company, and XLT Engineering to adorn the No. 43 Calabrese Motorsports Ford Mustang as marketing partners for the 14th race of the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season.

Finley will make his fourth K&N start of his career Friday afternoon. In his previous three outings, he delivered a career best fifth place finish after qualifying a career-best third at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July 2014.

The Dover 125 (125 laps / 125 miles) is the 14th of 14 races on the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule. Practice is set for Friday, Sept. 30 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. with a final practice etched in from 9:10 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. Qualifying is set for later in the day at 12:35 p.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 5:00 p.m. The event will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on NBC Sports Network on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 4:00 p.m. 

CFR PR

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