Photo Credit: Mike Holtsclaw/OnPitRoad.com
Chad Finchum entered the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Bristol Motor Speedway with one goal in mind – to defend his victory from the previous year. Only one thing could rain on Finchum’s plan and it was just that; the rain.
Finchum had to work his way up from 11th on the grid after the starting lineup was set by owner points after impending rain forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying so that the K&N Series could have some practice time around the track.
“[We] had a super fast race car for Bristol and was so happy with everything in practice. I hated to see qualifying get rained out,” Finchum told OnPitRoad.com. “I really felt like we could’ve qualified in the top-5, but we didn’t get that chance and so we started off points which put us starting 11th.”
Finchum raced Collin Cabre for most of the race, but made contact with Vinnie Miller in turn 3 sending him around, putting out the first caution of the evening. During most of the 70 laps, Finchum raced Cabre and his teammate Hunter Baize. He and Baize were making strides toward the front but at Lap 70, just after the halfway break, rain began to fall from the sky and NASCAR called the Zombie Auto 125 official.
“Rain cut the race short on Lap 70 and we had moved up to fifth. All in all, a top-5 is great for the team,” Finchum said. “Was trying to defend that win from last year, but like I’ve always said, the variables in racing can always throw a curve ball, but thanks to everyone in the whole organization for their efforts on the No. 39 Emory and Henry Toyota Camry.”
Finchum’s season could be done as Bristol was his only race planned unless more funding can be found.
“We honestly are searching for sponsorship, as many drivers in the sport are.”
