Eddie MacDonald Wins Inaugural NAPA 250 at White Mountain

Eddie MacDonald overcame pre-race adversity to post the first ever NAPA Blue and Gold 250 at White Mountain Motorsports Park victory on Sunday, September 16. Despite starting 25th in the 30 car field, Eddie Mac utilized a fast car and race strategy to post the dominant victory in the $10,000 to win late model event.

All did not begin well for the Freddie Peterson owned team as it struggled through three attempts to qualify for the 250 lap feature. Eddie Mac drove from his 11th starting position in the third heat to sixth but it was not good enough to qualify for the main event. Then after scoring third place in the consolation race the car was found to be too light forcing Eddie Mac to the last chance B main. A third place finish secured a 25th spot on the grid.

With his work cut out, Eddie Mac once again proved why he is such a highly regarded racing talent along the eastern seaboard of the country as he powered steadily along into 11th on the 50th circuit. During the caution on lap 70 some of the leaders decided to pit for tires since only fuel would be allowed on the scheduled mandatory caution on lap 125. Eddie and crew chief Rollie LaChance decided to gamble and wait until later in the race to pit for four American Racer tires on the EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy and this strategy proved to be the winning decision.

While most cars stopped for tires earlier, Eddie Mac finally drove to the pits during the lap 155 caution for the crew to bolt on four new tires. With a thirty lap tire advantage on the leaders, Eddie Mac restarted 16th in the field and wasted little time driving to the front. By lap 172 Eddie Mac rode comfortably in third behind Payea and Hebert but the new tires and fast car were no match for the regular ACT competitors as Eddie Mac took the lead for good on lap 193. From that point on, Eddie Mac maintained a seven car-length lead to the checkers and the $10,000 check waiting for him in victory lane.

“Winning this race is awesome and I want to thank everyone associated with our team for this win,” said the victorious Rowley, Mass. veteran racer. “We really had to battle back from earlier problems but there’s no quit in this team and we proved it again today. I can’t say enough for all the hard work. Rollie made a great call on coming to pit road for tires. We went back and forth deciding when to come and finally on lap 155 we decided the time was now. The crew did an excellent job completing the stop without a flaw and I was able to get a good restart. I knew Scott, Jimmy and a couple of the other guys would be tough but getting the tires when we did made all the difference. The car was fast and it was a lot of fun to drive today.”

“We really needed this win today since we have not had the season we had hoped for but the determination and dedication of this team was on full display today,” said an enthused Eddie Mac. “Freddie and Sheila Peterson are great owners and no one enjoys a win more that Freddie. Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty was here today with his daughter and he has been a great sponsor. Scott and Kenny Thompson from Hancock Electric have been sponsoring us for a dozen years and we can’t ever thank them enough. Rob Grimm, our K&N owner, continues to support us, as well as, Bobby Wood. All these people make it possible for us to do this.”

“The heart and soul of this team is the crew and those associated with us every step of the way and I have to acknowledge their effort and support,” said Eddie Mac. “Laura and Ryan LaChance, Jolene and Rob Drandson, Tom Rice, Brian Neal, Hoppy, Kenny Grooms, Dick Casey, my Dad, and my girlfriend Kelyn Harrell are instrumental in our success. I want to give a shout out to John Tiernan who has been under the weather lately but has been with us for many years doing his body work and painting magic.”

The final ACT race of the season will be at the World Series of Racing at Thompson Motor Sports Park on October 13.