East Tennessee Native Chad Finchum Races at Bristol

Knoxville-area driver competes at his 'home' NASCAR Cup Series track.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:47am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR stock car race at Bristol Motor Speedway, with the vehicle and track broken down into overlapping planes of bright, vibrant colors.A local driver's debut at one of NASCAR's most legendary tracks promises an electrifying display of regional pride and high-octane competition.Bristol Today

Chad Finchum, an East Tennessee native, is set to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, a track he considers his 'home' venue despite it being 110 miles from his hometown of Knoxville.

Why it matters

Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the most iconic and challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit, and having a local driver like Finchum competing there adds an extra layer of excitement and hometown pride for fans in the region.

The details

Finchum, who hails from the Knoxville area, will be making his Cup Series debut at Bristol, a track he has raced at numerous times in lower-level NASCAR series. The 27-year-old driver has steadily worked his way up the ranks and now has the opportunity to showcase his skills at the highest level of stock car racing in front of a passionate Bristol crowd.

  • Finchum is set to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12, 2026.

The players

Chad Finchum

A 27-year-old NASCAR driver from the Knoxville, Tennessee area who is making his debut in the Cup Series at his 'home' track of Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol Motor Speedway

A legendary NASCAR racetrack located in Bristol, Tennessee, approximately 110 miles from Finchum's hometown of Knoxville.

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What they’re saying

“Racing at Bristol has always been a dream of mine, and to be able to do it in the Cup Series is an incredible opportunity. I can't wait to put on a good show for all the fans in this region who have supported me throughout my career.”

— Chad Finchum, NASCAR Driver

What’s next

Finchum will look to qualify for the Cup Series race at Bristol and compete for a strong finish in front of his hometown crowd.

The takeaway

Finchum's debut at Bristol Motor Speedway represents an exciting moment for a local driver to showcase his talents on one of NASCAR's most challenging and iconic tracks, providing an extra layer of excitement for fans in the East Tennessee region.