Eddie MacDonald's seventh place finish in the NASCAR Camping World
Series East Tioga Downs Casino 125 at Watkins Glen International satisfied
the veteran driver on a track that has produced mixed results over the last
two outings.
"We ran great there two years ago but last year we blew a motor early.
At both road courses last year we broke the engine so this was a good finish
for us. The car was good and we finished with it in one piece and that is
always a good thing. You always want to finish better but this is what we
had and I am happy with the run we had. We didn't have any issues with the
car or with anyone on the track. It was a lot of fun out there and to have a
top ten finish on that track is satisfying."
The Grimm Construction Chevy qualified 11th on the starting grid and
was able to move up through the pack after the green flag waved and into
second place in the first third of the race with MacDonald saying, "We
decided on an early pit strategy and that gave us an opportunity to run up
front. The car was really handling well and the engine was very strong.
After the problems we had last year and with the number of engines that blew
up this year you always worry but fortunately, we didn't have any issues.
Anytime you can run this track and be able to say that, it is a good thing.
We've had our share of problems the last two races, so to go the whole way
without a hiccup is really great. The guys did a great job preparing the
car."
MacDonald is currently fourth in the points and feels the remaining
races on the schedule are on tracks that have produced positive results.
Next up is the Friday, June 25th race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; a
track that produced both wins last year for the Grimm Racing Team. The June
and September wins opened a lot of eyes in the racing community but it was
something both MacDonald and crew chief Rollie LaChance knew was very
possible.
" Both Rollie and I knew that we could run there and win. We just
needed a little luck. We always were fast there but something stupid always
seemed to happen to put us out. Winning the first race there was a dream
come true. It proved that all our hard work and preparation paid off.
Winning the second one proved to everyone else that the first one was not a
fluke. We are really looking forward to going back there as defending champs
and do it again. We know it won't be easy but neither was last year and look
what happened."
MacDonald is pleased to point out that NEMO (New England Mechanical
Overlay of Pembroke, N.H.) will again be the primary sponsor at NHMS, as it
was last year saying, " Becky and Ron Bennett have been with us right along
so it would be really great to give them another win in our biggest race of
the season. Our goal is to contend for the championship so a solid run at
Loudon will give us a lot of momentum for the second half of the season."