Two More Races in the Hoosier State to Decide Inaugural JEGS/CRA/GM Title Hopes for Chad Finley

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There are just two events remaining in the inaugural season for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts season. Both events for the Salem, Indiana based series are in the series home state and at two of the most prestigious facilities in the country.

This Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2nd, the immaculate 0.686 mile semi-banked paved oval of Lucas Oil Raceway, located west of Indianapolis in Clermont, Indiana is the site for the 10th race of the 2011 campaign for JEGS/CRA/GM, the McGunegill Engine Performance 100 Presented by JEGS.com which is part of the Seal Wrap Repair Tape Fall Brawl Weekend in Central Indiana. For 19-year-old Chad Finley, who comes into the event third in the season long points chase, everything is on the line in this race.

“We’re really excited to get back to Lucas Oil Raceway. It’s a neat racetrack where you can race from the yellow line all the way to the wall and it has rich tradition and history.” Remarked the DeWitt, Michigan driver. “It’s definitely one of those places I would love to win at. It’s my favorite racetrack that this tour runs and it would mean a ton to come out of there with a W. I have run here a few times and I think that is only going to help us make good decisions through practice and fine tune on our Auto Value Certified Service Centers Ford.”

In the series’ last race back on September 10th at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan, he Qualified eighth quick out of 21 teams and in the Berlin 100 Presented by JEGS.com which featured just a single caution flag, Finley would finish seventh and gain some valuable ground on the top two drivers in the points standings, Erik Jones and Eddie Hoffman, both who finished behind Finley in the race.

“We were able to gain some ground at Berlin, but with the way the points are, something crazy would have to happen to those guys these last two races for us to have a chance at the championship,” The 19-year-old added. “Plus we got guys real close behind us as well. My guys have worked so hard for me this year and we have overcame a lot of adversity and to still be third in the championship standings after all the bad luck and misfortunes we have had as of late speaks volumes about their never give up attitude. We can’t help but wonder where we would be if a few things would of gone the other way.” He stated.

Finley will go into the race at LOR third in the season long points chase after advancing one spot up the ladder after Berlin. Finley now sits 49 markers back of Hoffman for second and just 69 points behind current series Jones for the JEGS/CRA/GM points lead. (Jones 841, Hoffman 821, Finley 772).

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 Speedway in Ovid, Michigan on September 3rd. Overall, he has racked up seven top 10 finishes in nine starts.

After the race at LOR, the 2011 season finale will be held during the 40th annual Winchester 400 weekend on Friday-Sunday, October 14-16th at the legendary ½ (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana. The 11th and final race for JEGS/CRA/GM will be the W&M Pier Mac 100 Presented by JEGS.com which highlights the Saturday portion of the three-day weekend on October 15th.

Winchester is the site of Finley’s hard crash back on August 20th during the Winchester 100 Presented by JEGS.com and he’s eager to return to the famed high-banks to not only earn a little redemption, but to also have a shot at the 2011 JEGS/CRA/GM Championship. A solid finish at LOR will only help that cause, but Finley know to not look ahead to Winchester with this weekends’ race at LOR looming.

“We’re going to go into this weekend’s race with a little different mentality then we have had this season. We want to win before this year is over with. We have had chances this year, but we have had gremlins it seems on our back since mid June.” Finley said. “The way we are approaching this weekend is to not be conservative. If we can lead we will. We won’t be saving tires or none of that. We are just going to go out and race hard all night. I know (Crew Chief) Jimmy D. Smith and all the guys at CFR are going to give me another great racecar.” He ended.

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, Neal’s Auto & Truck Parts, 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 looking ahead to the 2012 campaign, log on to one of two websites:  www.chadfinleyracing.com and www.teamrensimotorsports.com

Chad Finely Racing PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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