Onward and Upward for Finch, New Owners

It’s looking like James Finch is about to ride off into the sunset after 23 years as a NASCAR team owner.

Or is it that he’s going to ride to the part of the office where he’s not writing checks for it any more?

I’d take either one, personally. James Finch has spent a LOT of money bankrolling the Little Team That Could…and Did, and he has every right to say, “you know what? I’m gonna go to the house and sip some sweet tea and let y’all continue.”

Of course, he’s not doing that. He’ll remain to see that the No. 51 team is set up the right way, give advice to the new team owners (reportedly Harry Scott of Turner-Scott in the Nationwide Series, in partnership with sponsor Brandt) and generally pursue his racing jones with check book firmly planted in his back pocket.

Eventually, when the time is right, he’ll fade out the back door and go back to doing what he does best: build stuff.

Brandt is an agricultural retailer and manufacturer based in Springfield, Ill., and has backed driver Justin Allgaier since 2011. The 27-year-old Riverton, Ill. native, who is currently fourth in the NNS point standings, is expected to drive the team’s Chevy over the final 10 races of the season, according to a report from Lee Spencer over at FOX Sports. 

A.J. Allmendinger was expected to compete in six of the final seven races for Phoenix Racing, but Finch said he wanted the opportunity to continue "showcasing the talent" of aspiring NASCAR racers as well. 

Australian Owen Kelly, 36, who finished fourth at Elkhart Lake in the slam-bang Nationwide Series Road America race on June 22 driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, will make his Cup debut in the car at Watkins Glen on Aug. 11. Ryan Truex, 21, was scheduled to make his Cup debut with Phoenix at Dover prior to breaking his shoulder blade on March 31. Finch plans on running Truex at Bristol on Aug. 24.