James Finch: Finally Getting What He Deserves

With all the Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Talladega hype of the last two weeks still making the rounds, it's hard to believe James Finch hasn't gotten the same exposure or recognition.

However, if you ask James Finch he would tell you that is just fine with him; he isn't used to being in the spotlight anyway.

Looking more like a fan or a member of a race team, James Finch doesn't quite fit the mold of a NASCAR Team Owner.

Instead of dress slacks and sponsor adorned team shirts Finch opts for a more laid back look; cowboy boots, untucked shirts and work jeans. Polished and flashy is not in his make-up. Instead Finch chooses to be a blue collar guy with a blue collar work ethic. It's why his Florida based Phoenix Construction company is so successful and it's why he's been in the sport for nearly 20 years.

The win at Talladega was special to Finch for so many reasons. In his post-race press conference the Panama City, Florida native told the media he considers the Alabama super speedway his home track. "Talladega is like my hometown track," Finch said. "To win here is great, because we’ve been trying to get a win here for a lot of years.”

The look on Dale Earnhardt, Jr's face during his post-race interview with Fox said it all. "James Finch....I mean James Finch!! That's awesome, man!!"

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons the Talladega win is so special is the track's proximity to Hueytown, Alabama the hometown of his long time friend Neil Bonnett. In the media center following the race Finch got emotional when talking about his former driver and long time friend.

Bonnett and Finch paired up in 1994 to run a limited schedule that included the Daytona 500; but all that came to a halt when Bonnett died due to injuries sustained in a crash during one of the practice sessions.

The two weren't just owner and driver they were good friends. The win at Talladega was a fitting tribute to a friendship cut short by tragedy.

Finch has, without a doubt, paid his dues. Since coming into the sport in 1989 he's seen the highs and felt the lows. And even though he's won multiple times in the Nationwide series, and now in the Sprint Cup series, he’s not content to quit now.

“I’ve been through the pains of it", Finch said. "If I never win another, this had been great. But I sure would like to win another. You can guarantee that I’ll be there smiling the next time you open the gates.”

It's that approach to life and to the sport that makes the James Finch story such an inspirational one.