NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Eric McClure and Hal Martin announced today the formation of Martin-McClure Racing (MMR). The duo will field a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East entry beginning with this weekend’s #ThanksKenny150 East vs. West shootout, at Iowa Speedway. With hopes of opening doors for young development drivers, Martin and McClure are excited for their new project.
“This team is something Eric and I have discussed in great depth over the past few months and the timing is right for us to enter competition and lay the foundation for an organization that will meet the long-term goals we’ve laid out,” stated Martin. “It’s an opportunity for us to give back to the sport we love, while providing a competitive and professional environment for young drivers as they transition from their respective backgrounds to the NASCAR national series.”
Behind the wheel of MMR’s No. 39 in Iowa will be Chad Finchum, an up-and-coming driver from Knoxville, Tenn. Finchum has earned numerous awards and titles and has received many accolades as a result of his success in his short racing career. His highest achievements to date came in 2013 & 2014, where he earned 29 wins to go along with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Tennessee State Championship and two track championships (Kingsport Speedway, Lonesome Pine Raceway.) During that time, Finchum, who holds the Kingsport Speedway LMSC track record, also claimed a top-five and top-10 placement in the final national standings. In addition, Finchum claimed the 2008 INEX national championship in a bandolero. The 20-year-old driver has competed in 10 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East events, recording three top-10 finishes; his most recent outing came at Bristol Motor Speedway where he started 23rd and finished 17th in a family-owned entry.
“Since I started driving go-carts at age six, I’ve always wanted to compete as a driver in the top levels of NASCAR,” Finchum said. “This is a step forward in achieving that goal. It’s hard to put into words what this opportunity means to me, but I think competing for MMR is a great fit. I’ve never been to Iowa Speedway, but I’m looking forward to getting there and getting on track. With the effort the team has put into this event, and guidance from Hal and Eric, we are hoping to have a solid weekend.”
In addition to their Iowa Speedway entry, MMR will also enter the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Dover International Speedway on October 2nd. As they tackle their first two races together, MMR is also actively seeking development drivers and sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season.
Martin McClure Racing PR
