photo by Rich Hayes
By: Dick Casey
Eddie MacDonald dealt with an ill-handling EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy for three quarters of the annual American Canadian Tour’s New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 opener at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 23. Driving the Freddie Peterson owned #17, Eddie Mac waited for a much needed caution that did not happen until lap 98.
“The car was hitting the track in the turns and sliding up the track so it was impossible to pass any cars,” said Eddie Mac. “Rollie (crew chief LaChance) and I decided to wait until the first caution to pit and just try to maintain our 14th starting position. We thought with 29 cars in the field there would be an earlier caution especially this being the first race of the season but everyone stayed out of trouble until lap 98.”
After racing in the K&N Pro Series East on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, the team had only the forty minute practice session on Sunday to ready the car for the first race of the season. Most teams took advantage of the Saturday practice session. Eddie Mac started pole in the heat but only managed a second place finish to post a minus one score and started 14th in the feature. Despite the ill-handling car, Eddie Mac was able to gain five positions when the first caution flag waved on lap 98. After two trips to the crew for adjustments, Eddie Mac returned to the track P. 13 for the restart and was able to move to eighth when the checkered flag flew on the 150th circuit.
“The car was a lot better after the adjustments but when we returned to racing there were just too many good cars in front of us to get to the front,” said Eddie Mac. “Our lap times were just as good as the leader but it takes a long time to pass guys here. We just ran out of laps. Of course, we were hoping to contend for the win at my home track but it just wasn’t meant to be. We just missed the set-up a little and that’s all it took. Normally you get early cautions and if we had I know we would have been in a position to race for the win. It is always great fun to compete on the track I grew up on and see all our families and supporters.”
“The team did a great job getting the car ready at the shop and at the track,” said Eddie Mac. “We are always thankful for our K&N team owner Rob Grimm for supporting us in this series. We are very thankful for our sponsors Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty and Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric. Thanks also to Sheila and Freddie Peterson, Bobby Wood, John Tiernan, Joe St. Jacques, and our crew Rob Drandson, Tom Rice, Dave Ricker, Craig Laroache, Brian Neal, Ryan and Laura LaChance. One of our crew members was not here due to a serious health issue and we miss and wish Donny Higinbotham all the best. Donny is just one of those guys willing to do anything to help our team and has for many years.”
The team is already busy preparing the car for the 19th annual ACT Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road in Barre, Vt. on Sunday, April 30.
