Eddie MacDonald Finishes ACT Season with Sixth Place Run
The American Canadian Tour completed its season with the World Series 75 as part of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday, October 15. Eddie Mac finished third in the championship points battle in the team’s first full season on the tour. The “Outlaw” needed a perfect day to catch eventual champion Nick Sweet for the title but that day did not materialize.
“We needed to win our heat, win the race, lead the most laps, and have Nick finish no better than sixth but we didn’t come close,” said Eddie Mac. “We struggled with the car right from the first practice and tried a number of adjustments but nothing worked. The car was loose in and off the corners so I couldn’t get any speed down the long straights here. Rollie and the crew worked hard all day but it just was not our day.”
The EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy started fifth in the third heat after struggling to find speed and handling in the only afternoon practice. Eddie Mac could only finish fifth in the heat and with the even rating started 14thon the grid for the 75 lap feature on the fast, high-banked, 5/8ths of a mile oval. When the green flag waved, Eddie Mac powered into the tenth position after only five laps and into seventh place by the second caution flag on lap 23, then reported to crew chief Rollie LaChance saying, “It is really tough to pass and the car does not have a lot of forward drive.”
For much of the remainder of the race, Eddie Mac followed Sweet but was unable to make the pass as the two were unable to mount any charge to the front as the top three pulled away to open up a comfortable margin. For the remaining 25 laps, Eddie Mac rode in the sixth position to take the checkered flag to end the ACT season.
“We had hopes of winning the championship at the beginning of the season but we had a few bad finishes and you can’t win championships when that happens,” said Eddie Mac. “Nick and Scott (Payea) had solid finishes all season and deserved to be first and second in the points. Nick is really a great guy and I am happy for him to win. We had a couple of wins and a number of second place runs but it was not enough. I have so many people to thank for all the support and hard work and I have to start with car owners Freddie and Sheila Peterson who have been fantastic and are wonderful people. Bobby Wood is a huge supporter of this team and does so much to help. Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric have been sponsors for ten years and are incredible. We have been fortunate to have Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty as a sponsor and thank him for everything he has done. Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without the support of our K&N owner Rob Grimm. Rollie and I are lucky to have the crew both at the track and in the shop. We are small in numbers but strong in desire and effort. Rollie’s family is always there with his wife Laura, his son Ryan, and daughter Rachel a huge part of the team. Rob Drandson, Dave Ricker, and Tom Rice do a great job at the track. Johnny Tiernan takes care of the body work in the shop and Dick Casey writes our press releases and works in the shop daily, Jolene Drandson handles our social media and keeps everyone informed from the track. My girlfriend Kelyn Harrell is so supportive and I appreciate everything she does so I can do this. I am blessed to have so many people as part of our team. Thanks to all our fans and the support and hope to see you all next season.”
Eddie Mac will return to his home track Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, October 23 to complete the rained out Oktoberfest. Eddie Mac will run another 50 lap Pro Stock/Super late Model race on Sunday after finishing second in the first 50 lap feature on Saturday, October 8. The famous #17 Flame car will compete in the 40 lap Late Model feature after winning the heat on Saturday. The racing card will begin at noon.
Sources: Dick Casey/Eddie MacDonald PR