RPM 360 photo
For the fourth time in seven outings Eddie MacDonald powered to an impressive win in the Seventh Annual Bond Auto Parts ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September, 26. The Exit Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy started 20th in the 43 car field to take the checker flag in a convincing win in the 50 lap event.
“This is my favorite track so to get this win in front of all our fans, friends, and family is fantastic,” said the jubilant veteran racer. “To be able to win this event four times in seven tries is due to all the hard work everyone puts into this car. From Freddie and Sheila (Peterson) on down, none of this would be possible without a lot of effort. When the race started we knew we had a fast car but we didn’t have time to waste because the race was only fifty laps. Fortunately, the car responded well and I was able to get up in contention early.”
When the green flag waved Eddie Mac wasted little time as he weaved through the field and after a lap two caution the Rowley, Mass. driver had the crowd cheering as he entered turn one third on the outside and on the bottom of turn three on the inside. When the dust settled the #17Ma. passed four cars and in the eighth position on lap four.
On lap 11 Eddie Mac rode in third place for a number of laps to cool his tires saying, “As long as I could see the #58 I was content to ride a bit but we really needed a caution because the #58 and #97 were so far out in front. At the halfway flag Rollie (LaChance) said I better get going. I made a little progress but then we got the break we needed with a caution on lap 31. The car was a little tight but I could deal with it so no adjustments were needed.”
Eddie Mac restarted sixth with three lap cars separating the #17 from the leaders. After three laps Eddie Mac passed the #58 for second place and set his sights on Joey Pole. On lap 37, Eddie Mac had the lead and began pulling away establishing a four car length lead. With six laps to go and a ten car length lead, the caution flag waved.
“Earlier we wanted the caution but this time we didn’t,” said Eddie Mac. “Joey was on the outside on the restart and Helliwell was right behind me and he was fast. I got lucky when the green waved with six laps to go Laperele dove in low under Wayne and Joey in turn one and that gave me time to get away with them fighting for second.”
When the checkered flag waved, Eddie Mac enjoyed a comfortable eight car length lead over Pole to claim the win saying, “This is special to be this good here. We have won four of these, all on odd years, 2009, 2011, 2013, and today. I guess we should just stay home on the even years,’ joked the winner in Victory Lane.
“I get all the credit but this wouldn’t happen without the commitment of so many people,” said the thankful winner. “Rollie and I appreciate all Freddie and Sheila have given to us with the support of Bobby Wood, our K&N team owner Rob Grimm, Ken and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric in Quincy, and Derek Beatrice from Exit Realty. We also get support from Stilo, HMS Motorsports, and Schroth Racing. Our crew is the best with thanks to Laura, Tom, Rob, Logger, Al, Kenny, and Donny. The car looks great thanks to our body and paint man John Tiernan and to the guys in the shop Dick Casey, our PR guy also, and Herbie Wing. Thanks to all our fans that come out to support us.
The season is far from over as Eddie Mac will race in the final K&N Pro Series East race of the season on Friday, October 2nd at Dover International Speedway where he finished fourth last year. Eddie Mac will the defend his ACT Milk Bowl title at Thunder Road in Barre, Vermont on October 10th-11th before heading to Thompson Ct. for the World Series of Racing on October 16th-17th in the final ACT series race of the season. Finally the team will wrap up their Late Model season in the Fall Brawl at Speedway 51, in Groveton, NH on October 24th.