The historic Western Michigan oval, a
uniquely shaped 7/16 (0.437) mile semi-banked
paved
oval located west of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan is the site for
Race #9 out of 11 for the Salem, Indiana based series on Saturday,
September 10th. 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.
"I’m looking forward to Berlin. After the
awesome car we had at Owosso, I’m hoping we can unload off the truck
close to that and then just have the guys tweak on it." The DeWitt,
Michigan driver said. "Coming from Owosso where we could run three
different grooves will be a change for sure going to Berlin and its’
unique shape and unique line you have to run to be successful there.
This race is in Auto Value’s and AutoParts2020.com’s back yard, so we
need a good solid run."
In addition to the season long support from
all of the great sponsors who’ve been with Chad Finley Racing (CFR)
throughout the 2011 racing season as he chases after the 2011
JEGS/CRA/GM Championship, Neal’s Auto & Truck Parts, based in Grand
Rapids will also have decals on the side of Finley’s Black #42 Ford
Fusion for this event.
"I want to give them a very special thanks
for coming on board as well. Also, a special shout out to Phil Harper
Motorsports. He’s been doing a great job for us this year and I want
to get him a well deserved win soon as well. We’ll see what happens
though this year has been full of surprises to say the least." He
ended.
Also coming to Berlin is Brady Thom who will
have Michigan State University's Formula team and car on display as
well. "I want to thank Chad Finley Racing and Berlin Raceway Promoter,
Mike Blackmer for having the MSU team at the track." Thom stated.
"This is a great opportunity for these
students to get firsthand knowledge of how a car is set up. The Team
is very excited and we really want to thank Finley as well as Jimmy
Novak and Cody Coughlin for letting the guy's from the MSU Formula
team hang out with their teams and get first-hand experience." He
ended.
Going into the race at Berlin and off of his
podium finish of a third 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.
At Owosso over the Labor Day Holiday Weekend
on September 3rd, Finley started on the pole and led the
first 72 laps before 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.
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 limited appearances in the NASCAR
Nationwide Series, and looking ahead to the 2012 campaign, log on to
one of two websites: