Cook Racing Technologies Overview
Cook Racing Technologies is an American professional stock car racing team that competes primarily in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series pipeline. Founded in 1998 and based in Mooresville, North Carolina, the organization has evolved from its early roots into a multifaceted racing operation fielding entries across multiple divisions. The team is owned by veteran crew chief Bruce Cook and operates as a development platform for emerging talent in American stock car racing. Cook Racing Technologies maintains technical partnerships with both Toyota and Chevrolet manufacturers, enabling competitive flexibility across its part-time entries.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Cook Racing Technologies traces its lineage to the late 1990s when Jeff Finley partnered with Ken Schrader to field the No. 99 car at Salem Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1998. This initial venture established the foundation for what would eventually become Cook Racing Technologies. The organization continued operating under various names throughout its history, including Cook-Finley Racing and Chad Finley Racing, reflecting the driver-owners who played central roles in its development.
The modern iteration of the team emerged when driver Chad Finley formed a part-time operation in the ARCA Racing Series in 2016. Finley’s first season with his self-owned team came at Michigan International Speedway, where he fielded the No. 51 Chevrolet and started and finished thirteenth. His strong fifth-place finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park demonstrated the team’s potential, and additional races that season showcased continued improvement.
Growth Into ARCA Competition
The team achieved its first major milestone in 2017 when Finley pulled off an upset victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, marking the organization’s inaugural race win. This breakthrough demonstrated the competitive capability of the driver-owner model and established the team as a legitimate threat in ARCA competition. The win at Nashville became a defining moment that validated the program’s development approach.
In 2018, the team expanded into NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition, entering the summer Gateway race with the No. 42 Chevrolet. Finley started twentieth and delivered an impressive sixth-place finish, signaling the organization’s ability to compete at higher levels. The team returned at Bristol Motor Speedway, gaining additional experience in truck competition. By November 2018, plans were announced for the No. 42 to compete full-time in the 2019 Truck Series season with Finley and Robby Lyons sharing driving duties.
Cook Racing Technologies Competitive Journey
Cook Racing Technologies has developed from a single-driver operation into a comprehensive racing organization competing across the ARCA Menards Series ecosystem. The team has accumulated 111 total races across its divisions, demonstrating consistent participation and competitive growth over nearly a decade of organized competition.
Early Seasons and Development (2016-2019)
The 2019 season represented a challenging period for the organization. After qualifying twentieth at Daytona with Robby Lyons driving, the team fell victim to an accident on lap two. Chad Finley then took over at Atlanta, starting thirtieth before another incident resulted in a twenty-eighth place finish. The season’s difficulties culminated when the team’s hauler entered the incorrect tunnel while exiting the track, sustaining severe damage to both the vehicle and race equipment inside. This forced withdrawals from spring races at Las Vegas and Martinsville. Despite these setbacks, the team returned to competition at Texas with Garrett Smithley driving to a solid fifteenth-place finish.
Breakthrough in ARCA Menards Series East (2020-Present)
On January 30, 2020, the organization announced its entry into the ARCA Menards Series East, fielding the No. 42 Toyota part-time for Parker Retzlaff starting at Five Flags Speedway. With Finley focusing on late model racing, crew chief Bruce Cook took over primary ownership of the stock car team, and the organization was renamed Cook-Finley Racing. A technical partnership with Visconti Motorsports was established, combining the expertise of Cook and Retzlaff, who had worked together at Visconti in 2019. Retzlaff signed on for a full 2020 schedule, earning five top-ten finishes and one top-twenty result while finishing fourth in the championship standings.
The relationship with Retzlaff continued in 2021 on a partial schedule, with the driver recording a fourth-place finish at Southern National Motorsports Park representing his best career ARCA Menards Series East result. Conner Jones joined the program for two events, finishing twenty-first at Iowa and tenth at Bristol. The 2022 season saw Christian Rose make his series debut at New Smyrna Speedway and compete in most East Series races, building experience across the schedule.
Breakthrough in ARCA Menards Series West (2021-Present)
Cook Racing Technologies entered the ARCA Menards Series West in 2021, debuting with the No. 42 car for Tony Toste and Christian Rose. The program expanded in 2022 when Landen Lewis scored a victory at Kern County Raceway Park, adding to the team’s regional success. After not appearing in 2023, the No. 42 returned in 2024 with multiple drivers including Tanner Reif, Brandon Jones, and Spencer Davis. Jaiden Reyna drove the car for the first two races of the 2026 season, continuing the team’s commitment to developing young talent in western competition.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2020-Present)
In 2024, the team achieved a significant milestone when Marco Andretti joined to run up to fourteen races driving the No. 17 Chevrolet across the main ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, and ARCA Menards Series West. Andretti competed in five East Series races and three West Series events, bringing additional attention to the program. Buddy Shepherd made one start at Kern County Raceway Park during that expansion. The 2025 season featured Patrick Staropoli driving the No. 17 at Kansas and Kaylee Bryson making her stock car debut in Series West competition at Sonoma Raceway.
The organization announced on January 3, 2026, that Mini Tyrrell would attempt his ARCA Menards Series debut in the No. 17 car at the season opener at Daytona, with participation in the pre-season test session. Taylor Mayhew runs three races in the No. 17 car during 2026, joining Monty Tipton and Kaden Honeycutt as part-time drivers in the car. The team also fields the No. 42 for Jaiden Reyna on a part-time basis in both the main series and Series West, maintaining its role as a development platform for emerging racing talent.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Cook Racing Technologies operates as a driver development organization, providing opportunities for aspiring racers to gain experience in stock car competition. The team’s technical partnerships with Visconti Motorsports and relationships with multiple manufacturers enable competitive flexibility. Operating primarily as a part-time entrant allows the organization to focus resources on targeted events while maintaining competitive standards across its entries.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The organization’s defining achievement came in 2017 with its first victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. The 2022 West Series win by Landen Lewis at Kern County Raceway Park and continued expansion across all three ARCA Menards divisions demonstrate the team’s growth trajectory. From Jeff Finley’s initial 1998 partnership with Ken Schrader through Chad Finley’s driver-owner period to Bruce Cook’s current stewardship, the team has maintained continuous operation in American stock car racing while developing numerous drivers across regional and national competition.
Cook Racing Technologies Achievements and Results
Cook Racing Technologies has accumulated three total race victories across its competitive history, along with one pole position in Series West competition. While the organization has not secured championship titles, its results demonstrate consistent competitiveness in development-tier racing. The team’s 111 total races across all divisions reflect sustained participation and commitment to the sport.
ARCA Menards Series Achievements
Within the main ARCA Menards Series, Cook Racing Technologies has recorded two victories and completed 53 races. The 2017 win at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway remains the program’s signature accomplishment at this level. The team continues to field competitive entries in the series, providing development opportunities for drivers like Marco Andretti in 2024 and Mini Tyrrell in 2026.
ARCA Menards Series East Achievements
The organization has competed in 28 ARCA Menards Series East races, primarily through the No. 42 program with drivers including Parker Retzlaff, Conner Jones, and Christian Rose. Retzlaff’s fourth-place championship finish in 2020 represents the program’s strongest East Series result, demonstrating competitive capability in regional competition.
ARCA Menards Series West Achievements
Cook Racing Technologies has achieved one victory and one pole position across 16 Series West races. The 2022 win by Landen Lewis at Kern County Raceway Park and the pole position highlight the program’s success in western competition. Multiple drivers including Taylor Mayhew, Jaiden Reyna, and Spencer Davis have represented the team in this division.
Series Achievements
In NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition, Cook Racing Technologies has completed 14 races without recording a victory. The sixth-place finish by Chad Finley at Gateway in 2018 stands as the team’s strongest Truck Series result. More recently, Patrick Staropoli returned to Truck Series competition driving the No. 84 at Martinsville in 2025, maintaining the organization’s presence in national-level stock car racing.