Eddie MacDonald came from 21st on the starting grid in the K&N Pro Series
East New Hampshire 125 at NHMS to post a solid tenth place finish. The New
England Mechanical Overlay sponsored Chevy did not have the typical
qualifying run MacDonald and the Grimm Construction Racing Team has come to
expect but the Rowley, Mass. veteran knew he had a fast car.
“We will be just fine for the race, “said MacDonald after the run. “The car
is fast but the nose just wouldn’t drop down but I know it will be good. We
know how to get around this place and we will be ready to make any
adjustments if necessary. We just have to be careful to avoid anything that
happens but we are not going to be patient and sit back. We are going to
go.”
MacDonald wasted little time charging to the front and by lap five the #71
was in the 13th position and took the ninth spot just as the caution flag on
lap 17 waved putting him back in 11th. MacDonald picked up two positions on
the restart but could not get around the #35 that was blocking all over the
track and remained there until pitting on lap 83 for tires and fuel.
Restarting in 12th, MacDonald moved into seventh on lap 103 and briefly held
the sixth position as the caution flag waved again on lap 107.
“I had a good run going with only about 15 laps to go but we ended up three
wide in turn four and I was down on the bottom of the track and there isn’t
any grip down there. I thought I was definitely going around on that one but
I got it straightened out but I lost three positions. Again we were three
wide with about six laps to go and I just slid up the track losing the three
spots I had gained back. I was just trying too hard to make something happen
but there were not enough laps left to make up the lost positions this time.
We definitely had a better car than 10th but we will take it and go to Lime
Rock next week. Last year we finished second so I am hoping we can repeat
that performance.”
The K&N Pro Series East and the Whelen Modified Tour will both be in action
on the road course of Lime Rock Park. Practice and Qualifying will take
place on Friday with both races on Saturday, July 3rd.