Finchum Goes To Victory Lane; Strong Showing in Winternationals

Orlando Speedworld Produces Solid Finishes for #19

Last February, Chad Finchum couldn't be touched in the Bandolero Young Guns division at the 2008 Winternationals at Orlando Speedworld (FL).  Finchum took all five victories and cruised to the championship easily.  Despite a fractured wrist from the competition at Lowe's Motor Speedway (NC) a month earlier, Finchum headed back to Florida to repeat the feat, this time in the Legends Young Lions division.  While he came up short, the competition knew he was there as he had a solid showing, despite the injury.

On the first day of competition, Finchum was running third when the leaders tangled, allowing him to squirt by for the victory.

"We were running second there and under caution one of my crew members motioned I should try a different line," explained Finchum.  "I did and it freed it up.  The tires were getting hot and greasy.  I didn't think I was going to win it.  The #63 (Justin Grimes) went on the outside of the #8 (Dale Dodge).  I knew that wasn't going to be good.  They made contact and when they did it sent me to the lead."

Throughout the rest of the week, Finchum showed strength by running in the top positions, finishing in the top five three more times, including in the Pro Challenge Series feature on Friday.  In the final Legends race, he was going for the championship when contact with another car and a controversial call by the officials removed a solid finish and a chance at the title.

"We ran in the top five all week.  We came out here yesterday (Friday) and were running second.  We went for the lead and didn't get it.  In the driver's meeting they talked about how blocking wasn't going to be tolerated, but I was being blocked then.

"Today (Saturday) I intended on riding for the points championship.  I got behind the third-place guy.  He slipped up a bit and we made a little bit of contact.  We maintained our positions on the track all the way to the checkered flag, but the officials decided to black flag me for the contact."

Despite the frustrating call by officials, Finchum was able to hold his head high, finishing third in the championship.

"We didn't tear anything up major.  We bent a few pieces and parts, but others are bringing their cars home in boxes."

Stay tuned for more on Chad Finchum's 2009 racing schedule, coming soon.