16 year-old Rookie, Dominique Van Wieringen scores first career Super Late Model Feature Win

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, July, 19th, 2011): When 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen made her debut at Spartan Speedway in Mason, Michigan back on May 6th behind the wheel of an Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model, many on lookers observed that the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada teenager had a world of untapped potential behind the wheel of a full-sized racecar after her debut resulted in a fifth place finish.

Little did those on lookers realize just how quickly she would adapt to the high-powered machines in such a short amount of time! Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, and making only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar, proved many observers right when on July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become the first female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division.

Dominique Van Wieringen celebrates her win with fans!

“This is a great feeling. A lot of pressure there not to mess up those last few laps,” The young Canadian exclaimed. “Jimmy (Gallagher) was all over me. He raced me clean though and I appreciate that. This is just amazing to me. The car was perfect and I just can’t thank all the guys from CFR as well as Chad Finley for his help and guidance. He has helped me a bunch with my line and what I should be doing. Also (Crew Chief) Jimmy D. Smith for his help. Man what a great group of people they have put around me.” She added.

Her next scheduled race at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval located just south of Lansing, Michigan is on Sunday, July 24th in the running of the “Chargin” Charlie Ryan Jr. Memorial 75-lap Feature which is part of the Midwest Racing Scene Sunday Slugfest Series. In the first Sunday Slugfest event back on June 26th, she finished 11th in the 75-lap feature and hopes to improve on that performance this Sunday.

On off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen still races one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Prior to the start of the 2011 racing season, Van Wieringen joined forces with Chad Finley Racing and is chasing after the 2011 Rookie of the Year title at Spartan Speedway in the tracks Outlaw Super Late Models division. She is leading the freshman title chase by a very wide margin and sits seventh overall in the chase for the 2011 Track Championship. In six starts, she has one Feature Win as well as two top five finishes and five of her six starts have resulted in at least a top 10 showing.

“I just can’t thank (Car Owner) Jeff Finley enough for his years of experience. He has been instrumental in our success this whole year. All the guys in the shop who spend countless hours both there and at the track for me too. I’m very blessed to have such an incredible team who support me as much as they do.” She continued. “I can’t thank my family enough as well. They do a lot for me and I am thankful. My Dad and Mom really have worked hard for me, so again thank you to them. “Van Wieringen ended.
For the remainder of the 2011 racing season, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, has sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, and Chad Finley Racing. To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the current season as well as looking ahead to the 2012 campaign, go to her page within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: http://www.chadfinleyracing.com/

Contact: Jeff Finley
517-819-1560