Spectre Driver Lineup at Goodguys Columbus Nationals

Spectre sponsored driver Brian Finch will be representing Spectre Performance at the Goodguys Sponsor Shootout in Columbus, Ohio.

Not only is Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, the biggest Goodguys event of the year, it will host one of the most competitive autocross shootouts.  The Goodguys Autocross Sponsor Shootout takes place each year at Goodguys Columbus.  When walking the pits, you might see banners from different manufactures hanging around the track.  These manufactures support the autocross throughout the year and often have cars and drivers that race in the series at each event.

After Goodguys PPG Nationals, Brian Finch will start prepping for the Baja 1000 with team BFGoodrich.

Years ago, it was determined that a shootout between sponsors might help draw spectators to the autocross, helping not only the manufactures that sponsor the event, but also the drivers.  Manufactures were allowed to choose one driver to represent them in the shootout.  The shootout was similar to that of a bracket race.  During the first ever PPG Nationals shootout, drivers learned quickly that anything could happen regardless how good they were behind the wheel.  One slight mistake could mean forfeiting the shootout.

When it was Spectre’s turn to decide who would represent them at this year’s shootout, there were quite a few drivers to choose from.  When it came down to the final decision, there was one name that had represented Spectre for several years, long before the Spectre name was popular on the show circuit.  Brian Finch had seen the Goodguys Autocross winner’s circle on several different occasions including his recent win at Goodguys Nashville in the Street Machine Class.  Choosing him was the perfect fit leading up to the big shootout this weekend.

After Goodguys PPG Nationals, Brian Finch will start prepping for the Baja 1000 with team BFGoodrich.

Brian Finch is a name that was and still is quite popular in the pro-touring world.  Over the past couple years Finch has expanded his career beyond the autocross and racetrack to include a little bit of dirt in his life.  As a two-time Baja 1000 champion, Finch will return to Mexico once again this November to race for his third Baja win.  Though Finch’s main focus is on Baja this season, he still brings out his 1971 Camaro to participate in track and autocross events.  The PPG Nationals Sponsor Shootout will be Finch’s biggest and toughest autocross event of the season, but that has not stopped him before.  Finch is definitely one driver that could pull off the win during the Sponsor Shootout.

Smith has done exceptionally well in the Spectre sponsored 1972 Corvette throughout the 2016 race season.

There are a handful of other drivers selected to compete in the Sponsor Shootout this weekend alongside Brian Finch.  Spectre sponsored driver Chris Smith will be racing his 1972 Corvette in the Sponsor Shootout on behalf of RideTech.  Smith has had an extremely busy race season, traveling across the country on several different occasions to compete in series like Goodguys and Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car.  Several changes were made to the Corvette over the winter months that made a huge difference on how the car handled.  Smith has been overly impressed with the car and its performance throughout the 2016 race season.  With minor changes throughout the year, Smith has become very competitive in the bright yellow Corvette.  He will be racing against some tough competition this coming weekend, but that has not stopped him from seeing the podium in the past.

Chris and Lynda Jacobs will both be representing Spectre at the Goodguys PPG Nationals.

Though the Sponsor Shootout is one of the main events that take place at the Goodguys PPG Nationals, there is still the typical autocross that takes places throughout the three-day event.  In the past, over one hundred cars have come to participate in the autocross, making it the largest Goodguys autocross event of the year.  Though Finch and Smith are focused on the shootout, they will also be competing in the Pro Class.  This class includes several other Spectre sponsored drivers that will also be attending this weekend’s event.

The Jacobs’ 1966 Chevelle will be doing double duty as both Chris and Lynda get behind the wheel and hit the autocross.

Spectre driver Rodney Prouty has created quite a following as he continues to post updates as the evil Stig on his Facebook page.

Chris and Lynda Jacobs each own a Chevelle that have seen several Goodguys autocross events over the years, but Lynda’s Chevelle will not be attending Goodguys Columbus this weekend.  Instead, the blue 1966 Spectre sponsored Chevelle will be doing double duty while Lynda and Chris both take the wheel.

Though the Jacobs are competitive, they also prove that there is more to racing than just winning.  Chris and Lynda are two of the nicest people you will ever meet.  You will often find them in the pits talking with other drivers and spectators or helping another competitor while they are not racing.

There is one final driver that has built quite a following with his evil Stig Facebook posts.  Many questioned where Rodney Prouty would go with his social media updates after the buildup he created leading into the Optima event in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Rodney wasted no time, jumping back on social media with his Spectre driving suit and helmet, announcing how he would prepare for his next event.

Spectre driver Rodney Prouty has created quite a following as he continues to post updates as the evil Stig on his Facebook page.

Prouty’s updates on social media have all lead up this weekend’s autocross showdown where he will most likely be suited up and signing autographs.  Not only has Prouty captured a following with his humorous social media updates, he’s an exceptional driver.  Prouty will be racing his 1968 Camaro at the Goodguys PPG Nationals this weekend in the Pro Class against Finch, Smith, the Jacobs and several other drivers.

All five Spectre Performance drivers will be available for photos, questions and autographs starting Friday through Sunday afternoon.

As one of the biggest events throughout the 2016 season, you can expect that all five of these Spectre drivers will be in the pits prepping both their cars and themselves for one of the toughest autocross events of the year.  If heading to Goodguys PPG Nationals this weekend, make sure to walk the pits of the autocross and check out the Spectre sponsored vehicles.  Don’t forget to stop by the Spectre Performance booth in the Midway or watch on-site air intake installations taking place near the Goodguys Autocross.  We wish all the Spectre drivers the best of luck and will check back with them after the weekend’s events.