Chad Finchum has all but been declared an INEX Bandolero National champion for 2008. In 46 starts this season he has visited victory lane 31 times, including in the prestigious Bandolero Nationals recently at the Indianapolis Speedrome. That is part of the reason why BDI Racing is proud to announce today that BDI Racing has signed Chad Finchum to drive three races in its driver development program.

The 13-year-old will compete in the three-quarter scale, high-horsepower Pro Challenge Series beginning on Saturday, September 20th , at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. He will also race events at Lonesome Pine Speedway and Peachstate Speedway.

“This is an awesome deal. I've had a bunch of friends move up to Pro Challenge and they've been begging me to get into it, but I wanted to have the right opportunity to do it. BDI Racing offered me this chance and it feels great to be a part of the BDI Racing team,” said Finchum, who is a freshman in high school.

“I've watched Chad during the past couple of years and he has matured a lot as a driver,” said team owner Bob Dillner, who is also a NASCAR television commentator for SPEED. “His record

this year speaks for itself, and he has become a good spokesman for our marketing partners as well. We're proud to have him onboard.”

To prepare for the upcoming race at the 3/8's of a mile Hickory racetrack, the team recently tested at the facility.

“I got into it and it felt different than anything I've ever driven, but it was also the best thing I've ever driven,” Finchum stated. “I'm really looking forward to getting out there at Hickory and seeing what we can do together.

“This is a great team. Their track record in the series and all around the short tracks really speaks for itself. BDI Racing has won a bunch of Pro Challenge races over the years, and hopefully I can continue that trend for them. Dustin (Archer) is a great crew chief and Bob really helped me out at the test, so I think together we can go win some races and I'm really looking forward to it.”

“Chad impressed me a bunch at the test,” added Dillner. “He was fast right off the bat and developed a nice smooth driving style in the Pro Challenge car. He also gave great feedback, and that's something you look for in a driver. We'll set goals like we do for all races, but winning one of these races is certainly not out of the equation with the talent behind the wheel and in the pits.”

Chad attributes the smooth transition to the Pro Challenge machine to the Bandolero and Legends Car racing he has done, and he thinks this new series will help him advance even more.

“Bandoleros and Legends have taught me a lot, but I think I'm ready to move on. We'll still race a Legends Car, but we're going to Pro Challenge, and I think that these cars are going to do a lot for what I hope to be doing later. I've learned that these Pro Challenge cars are basically three-quarter scale Super Late Models, so they're a perfect step along the way. Hopefully we can go out there and compete for victories in the last few races this year and see how it all works out for next year.

“We all worked together really well and the communication was there between me and the team. I'm looking forward to going racing with them. Friends and family is what racing's all about. I've always gone to the track with friends and family and I think that's what I'm joining up with at BDI Racing, too.”

Chad Finchum will race one of BDI Racing's Chevrolet Silverado's at Hickory Motor Speedway on September 20th. The race is part of a double-header with the ASA Southeast Tour.

Marketing opportunities for the BDI Racing team and its driver development program in Super Late Models, Pro Challenge, Legends Cars and Bandoleros are still available for the 2008 season and beyond. For more information on how partnering with BDI Racing can provide a multitude of benefits for companies of all sizes, contact the team at (704) 788-2134 ext: 7.