May 13, 2006
Top-10 Streak Continues At Phoenix International Raceway
The GAINSCO Grand Prix took place earlier this evening under the lights at Phoenix International Raceway.
Rob Finlay, driving the Make-A-Wish/Z-Line Designs Ford-powered Crawford Daytona Prototype machine started the 250-mile/166-lap/2 3/4-hour time limit race from the 8th position and quickly settled into a comfortable race pace. Finlay, who finished fifth in the Grand Am Cup race earlier today, was involved in an unavoidable incident early on and lost a lap but continued to battle back turning the car over to his teammate Michael Valiante on lap 32.
Valiante climbed behind the wheel of the familiar blue and silver machine and rejoined the battle. Quickly moving up through the field, the young Canadian found himself running just outside the Top-10 at the halfway point.
As the checkered flag flew Valiante brought the No.5 machine across the finish line in the 9th position. "Unfortunately Rob got hit at the start and lost a lap but once he got back into the race he was right back on his pace. I think we had a top-five car again but we still need to improve a bit to challenge for the win."
Michael will next compete at Watkins Glen International Raceway on Saturday, June 3rd.