Coming Off a Winning 2025 Season, Mike Finnegan is Thrashing to Prepare for the 5th Annual Sick Week – What Will He Be Competing In?
Mike Finnegan has been around racing in multiple forms in his personal and professional life. In the drag and drive community, Finnegan has experienced a few different roles, from a pit reporter to competitor.
After experiencing various forms of success, mostly behind the wheel of his 1955 Chevrolet gasser known as ‘Blasphemi’, Finnegan is gearing up for the 2026 edition of Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive with a new vehicle build, a twin turbo 1961 Cadillac, and is determined to make it to the event.
In addition to Mike Finnegan, the 2026 edition of Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, February 1st through 7th, will showcase some of the best in drag and drive! Brett LaSala, Tom Bailey, Jeff Lutz, Stefan Gustafsson, Randy Seward, Bob Gruber, and more will be looking for another class win, while over 900 street miles of driving awaits competitors through Florida and South Georgia! Get your tickets now, save some coin, and get entered in our Holden SS wagon giveaway for FREE! CLICK HERE for more info on Sick Week!
“It’s good weather,” said Finnegan of why he enjoys Sick Week. “But it’s also really fun. I like the effort the Sick events put forward to make sure it’s an enjoyable experience.”
The idea of Finnegan participating at a drag and drive event in a different car could take some getting used to. “I feel like Blasphemi has accomplished a lot of the goals I set when we first built it,” said Finnegan. “Some new goals were added along the way, and we checked those off in 2025.”
After starting his 2025 season at Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive with a third-place result in the Gasser class, Finnegan followed it up with back-to-back victories at Sick At The Rock and Sick On The Green events, scoring the top spot in the Gasser category.
“We were prepared (in 2025),” said Finnegan. “Where ever we showed up, we wanted to accomplish a goal with the car (the ’55 Chevy gasser). Unlike years past where we were welding up the headers on tech day, or installing an engine the night before tech day, we were actually able to tune the car this year.”
Even when things didn’t work out as Finnegan hoped, he still made the most of it. “At Hot Rod Drag Week, I showed up focused on winning,” he said. When the massive wheelie problems occurred and his hopes were dimmed, Finnegan adjusted his goals. “Then it was about survival, while having as much fun as possible.”
As Finnegan thrashes to finish the ’61 Cadillac build that has been through a few twists and turns since he purchased the bone stock ride for an episode of the Roadkill show, he hasn’t ruled out a return of ‘Blasphemi.’
“I’m ready for a new challenge,” said Finnegan. “But if the Caddy isn’t done in time, maybe I’ll bring out the Gasser and enter the Stick Shift class.”
Will Mike Finnegan get the Cadillac build done in time, or will ‘Blasphemi’ get called in from the bench? Don’t miss the 2026 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, February 1st through the 7th. Discounted advance tickets and event details are available at the Sick Week event page by CLICKING HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Mike Finnegan.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com