Eddie MacDonald Wins 3rd Bond Auto ACT Invitational; Pockets $8,300
Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, Massachusetts claimed his 3rd Invitational win in the 5th Annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 21. MacDonald pocketed $8,300 for his efforts as he fended off ACT Champions Wayne Helliwell, Jr. and Brian Hoar. MacDonald has previously won the ACT Invitational in 2009 and 2011.
The “Outlaw” MacDonald worked his way through the field from his 26th starting position and seemed to settle in to the top five through the halfway mark. Polesitter Travis Stearns and Quinten Welch swapped the lead over the first dozen laps and two of the three total cautions. Following the second restart, eight-time ACT Champion took the point and battled with Welch until the third and final caution at the halfway point.
On the final restart of the 50-lap event, Helliwell and Hoar broke out to the point with MacDonald in tow. MacDonald took over the lead on lap 35 and held off Helliwell over the final 15 laps. Helliwell could get to his rear bumper, but couldn’t find the momentum to make the pass. MacDonald and Helliwell were followed to the line by Hoar, Aaron Fellows and 2010 ACT Invitational winner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. Tom Carey, Jr., Quinten Welch, Quebec’s Jean-François Déry, Nick Sweet and Glen Luce completed the top ten.
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The 50-lap event saw a fiery crash on lap four as Matt White took a hard hit on the frontstretch that took four cars out of the event and brought out a red flag. All drivers were alright. The second caution period was brought out on lap 8 as Ontario’s Bryan Mercer was slowed with a flat tire. The third and final yellow flag flew for 70-year-old Joey Laquerre as he spun coming out of turn four and made hard contact with the inside wall, ending his day.
The event was completed in 58 minutes and 28 seconds. It saw 8 lead changes among 5 drivers. Eddie MacDonald won by a margin of .758 seconds.
The American Canadian Tour will decide its champion in the Fall Foliage 200 next Saturday, September 28 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. Wayne Helliwell, Jr. leads the standings over Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. and Jimmy Hebert.
5th Annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational Unofficial Results
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed
1. (26) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, 50 laps
2. (16) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 50 laps
3. (15) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 50 laps
4. (9) Aaron Fellows, Croyden, NH, 50 laps
5. (22) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 50 laps
6. (19) Tom Carey, Jr., New Salem, MA, 50 laps
7. (4) Quinten Welch, Lancaster, NH, 50 laps
8. (28) Jean-Francois Dery, Quebec, QC, 50 laps
9. (17) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 50 laps
10. (13) Glen Luce, Turner, ME, 50 laps
11. (27) Alex Labbe, St-Albert, QC, 50 laps
12. (7) Ben Lynch, Huntersville, NC, 50 laps
13. (1) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 50 laps
14. (2) Jamie Aube, N. Ferrisburg, VT, 50 laps
15. (20) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 50 laps
16. (11) Guy Caron, Lempster, NH, 50 laps
17. (14) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH, 50 laps
18. (21) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 50 laps
19. (39) Brandon Atkins, Ausable Forks, NY, 50 laps
20. (24) Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC, 50 laps
21. (8) Bryan Mercer, Port Hope, ON, 50 laps
22. (35) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT, 50 laps
23. (33) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT, 50 laps
24. (5) Todd Davis, Claremont, NH, 50 laps
25. (25) Shawn Martin, Turner, ME, 50 laps
26. (30) Taylor Martin, Windham, NH, 50 laps
27. (3) Dave Farrington, Jr., Jay, ME, 50 laps
28. (41) Jerry Dawson, Lynnfield, MA, 50 laps
29. (23) Dany Trepanier, St-Edouard, QC, 50 laps
30. (29) John Falconi, Oakham, MA, 50 laps
31. (36) Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, MA, 50 laps
32. (37) Cody Blake, Barre, VT, 50 laps
33. (42) Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH, 50 laps
34. (6) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 50 laps
35. (10) Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben, ME, 44 laps
36. (18) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 24 laps
37. (12) Sean Kennedy, Dunrobin, ON, 23 laps
38. (40) Ricky Roberts, Washington, VT, 16 laps
39. (34) John Lowinski-Loh, Milford, MA, 12 laps
40. (31) Matt White, Northfield, VT, 4 laps
41. (38) Joey M. Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 4 laps
42. (32) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT, 4 laps
43. (43) Kyle Welch, Newport, NH, 4 laps
Lap Leaders: Travis Stearns, 1-2; Quinten Welch, 3-4; Stearns, 5; Q. Welch, 6-12; Brian Hoar, 13-17; Q. Welch, 18-25; Wayne Helliwell, Jr., 26; Hoar, 27-34; Eddie MacDonald, 35-50. (8 lead changes among 5 leaders)
Cautions: 3 (Laps 4 (red), 12, 25)
Time of Race: 58 minutes, 28 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.758 seconds
Sources: ACT PR