MacDonald survives late rallies by Rolfe, Adams
for caution-free ACT Time Warner Cable 100 victory
OXFORD, Maine – Many drivers have crossed the invisible border between the NASCAR Busch East Series and American-Canadian Tour during the two-decade history of the distinctly different touring divisions.
For one driver to win a race in both series in the same season, however, is rare indeed, if not unprecedented.
In the spirit of the old "outlaws" such as Jeff Stevens and Dave Dion before him, Eddie MacDonald — a milder personality but showcasing similar talent — pulled off that bit of history Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.
MacDonald patiently waited until the final dozen laps of the ACT Time Warner Cable 100 to make his winning move around TD Banknorth 250 champion Roger Brown, then held off a frantic charge by Ricky Rolfe and a late-arriving Travis Adams to score a thrilling but caution-free win.
The 27-year-old from Rowley, Mass., became the eighth different driver in as many races to win an ACT event on the stateside leg of the tour this season. MacDonald previously ruled a NASCAR Busch East race at Connecticut's Stafford Motor Speedway in early June.
"We've had some great runs in this car," said MacDonald, "but it feels good to finally win one."
MacDonald took the top spot from Brown to the inside as the leaders raced through slightly slower traffic on lap 89.
Two-time OPS champion Rolfe stalked MacDonald for the final 10 laps, but the eventual winner wisely took his time working through traffic and never allowed Rolfe to make a run on the high side.
Adams made one of his patented outside passes to take third away from Brown at the finish line. Six-time ACT champion Jean-Paul Cyr finished fifth.
The race was complete in an astonishing 28 minutes, 46 seconds, with all 33 cars running at the finish. Eighteen cars finished on the lead lap, with another dozen only one lap behind MacDonald's pace.
Forty-five cars attempted to qualify for the fourth event in the five-race L/A Harley-Davidson Late Model Challenge Series, which will pay $5,000 to the champion. Brown retains the lead headed into the season-ending New England Dodge Dealers 150 on October 6.
MacDonald, Alan Tardiff, Ron Henry and Jamie Fisher were heat winners.
In supporting feature action, Skip Tripp achieved his own rare feat by winning his third consecutive Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy Strictly Stock feature over current point leader Tommy Tompkins and three-time series champion Larry Emerson.
Darick Barker picked up his second Allen's Mini Stock victory of the summer. Kevin Bishop was second for his best finish in a Saturday night Championship Series division since 1992, with reigning track champion and current point leader Jimmy Childs third.
OPS action continues Wednesday with all five Acceleration Series divisions on the docket at 6:30 p.m. Next Saturday, August 18 features the return of the thunderous International Supermodified Association for the New England Dodge Dealers 100. Qualifying is set for 6:30 p.m.
AMERICAN-CANADIAN TOUR TIME WARNER CABLE 100: 1. Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass.; 2. Ricky Rolfe, Albany Township; 3. Travis Adams, Canton; 4. Roger Brown, Lancaster, N.H.; 5. Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, Vt.; 6. Scott Payea, Milton, Vt.; 7. Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.; 8. Glen Luce, Turner; 9. Dennis Spencer Jr., Oxford; 10. Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, Vt.; 11. Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, N.H.; 12. Scott Robbins, Dixfield; 13. Alan Tardiff, Lyman; 14. Scott Dragon, Milton, Vt.; 15. Shawn Martin, Turner; 16. Brent Dragon, Milton, Vt.; 17. Ron Henry, New Gloucester; 18. Carey Martin, Denmark; 19. Jon Brill, Bridgton; 20. Ryan Vanasse, Warwick, R.I.; 21. Randy Potter, Groveton, N.H.; 22. Kip Stockwell, Braintree, Vt.; 23. Dale Verrill, Paris; 24. John Donahue, Graniteville, Vt.; 25. Jamie Aube, Bow, N.H.; 26. T.J. Watson, Harpswell; 27. Eric Chase, Milton, Vt.; 28. Marc Curtis Jr., Worcester, Mass.; 29. Ben Ashline, Pittston; 30. Shane Green, South Paris; 31. Pete Potvin III, Graniteville, Vt.; 32. Donald Theetge, Boischatel, Quebec; 33. Tommy Ricker, Poland.
Lap leaders: Payea 1-71, Brown 72-88, MacDonald 89-100.
ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY STRICTLY STOCK (30 laps): 1. Skip Tripp, Sabattus; 2. Tommy Tompkins, Dixfield; 3. Larry Emerson, Durham; 4. Sumner Sessions, Norway; 5. Matt Williams, Brownfield; 6. Kim Tripp, Oxford; 7. Kenny Harrison, Pownal; 8. Glen Henderson, Sabattus; 9. Rick Thompson, Naples; 10. Mike Short, Auburn; 11. Bob Crocker, Freeport; 12. Zach Emerson, Durham; 13. Chris Burgess, Lewiston; 14. Ben Krauter, Raymond; 15. Reggie Houghton, Carthage; 16. Danny Smart, Buxton; 17. Todd Hall, Auburn.
ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY MINI STOCK (30 laps): 1. Darick Barker, Jay; 2. Kevin Bishop, South Paris; 3. Jimmy Childs, Leeds; 4. Shane Kaherl, Jay; 5. Greg Watkins, Bridgton; 6. Bob Mooney, Lewiston; 7. Bill Childs Sr., Leeds; 8. Ashley Marshall, Jay; 9. Bob Guptill, Mechanic Falls; 10. Bill Thibeault, Oxford; 11. Dale Brackett, Oxford; 12. Bill Irving, New Gloucester; 13. Dale Durgin, Norway; 14. David Mooney, Wales; 15. Wayne Warren, North Waterford.