RPM 360 photo
Eddie MacDonald continued his dominance at NHMS winning his fifth American Canadian Tour’s Bond Invitational 50 lap event on Saturday as part of the September NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend. With the victory, Eddie Mac became the driver with the most wins at the “Magic Mike” posting his ninth win including three K&N Pro Series and one Super Late Model trips to Victory Lane.
Eddie Mac was second fastest in the early morning practice and following established procedure of starting the most dominant cars near the rear, the #17 EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy started 31st in the 39 car field. It did not take “the Outlaw” long to charge to the front despite the quagmire of cars in front of him powering into the 15th position by the second caution on lap nine. When racing resumed the Rowley, Mass. veteran continued his trek to the front scoring in the fourth spot on the grid on lap 22. The top three cars that started the race near the front were spread out as Eddie Mac had a lot of ground to cover as the laps dwindled down.
“I really had a fun time getting to fourth but the leaders were far ahead and even though I was gaining a little I knew we needed a caution if I was able to catch them and contend for the win,” said Eddie Mac. “Fortunately, we caught a caution on lap 35 so I started fourth on the outside but when the green flag waved the 07 in front of me didn’t go and I was shuffled back to sixth. But my car was so good I was able to regain my momentum and made it back to third when the caution flag flew on lap 45. My tires were used up but so were everyone’s and I figured I just had to go for it.”
The first green flag with five laps remaining was nullified with a caution flag as the field was reset for another attempt. Starting in the third spot Eddie Mac made a spectacular three wide pass on the inside going into turn one to grab the lead from Jimmy Hebert and held a two car length to the checkered flag. Eddie Mac dazzled the crowd all race long with three and four wide maneuvers with the final one being the most important.
“My car was great on restarts and that is where you can get a lot of positions but I had to be careful going into turn one and not lose it,” said Eddie Mac. “Jimmy (Hebert) blocked me a little but not as bad as I expected and I was able to make the pass. We really needed this win and to do it here in front of the crowd that stayed after the truck and modified race is very special. We love coming here and this is my favorite track. The ACT Tour is really thankful for NHMS having us here as part on the Cup weekend.”
When informed that he is the all-time driver with the most wins at NHMS Eddie Mac said, “This is incredible to have the most wins here. There have been so many great drivers here through the years and to have the most wins is an honor and I am very humbled to be in this position. Of course Rollie (LaChance-crew chief) and I have been together for all of them and he really knows how to set the cars up for this place. It is so much fun to have Rollie’s son Ryan on the crew to get this win and of course Laura, Rollie’s wife, has been on board from day one.”
“I am so happy for our car owners Sheila and Freddie Peterson who have given us everything we need to be successful. They are very special people,” said Eddie Mac. “There are so many people to thank and Rob Grimm, our K&N team owner, is right at the top. Rob supports us in all our racing and we would not be able to compete without his support and we are so grateful. Our sponsors are fantastic and I have to thank Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric Motor Service in Quincy for their continued support. They have been on board for all our ACT wins here. Thanks also to Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty in Middleton, Mass. for all his support. Derek is also a huge supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and invited nine year old Sebastian Hanson and his parent’s Mark and Renee to spend the day with the team. Also Patrick Burke from the Salem Fire Department and his son Will were also Derek’s guest after being the highest bidder for a NASCAR experience at an auction at a MDA fundraiser earlier this summer sponsored by Derek’s EXIT Realty business.”
“Rollie and I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people,” said Eddie Mac. “Our crew of Tom Rice, Rob Drandson Ryan LaChance, Bobby Wood, and Dave “Logger” Ricker do everything, every week to give us the best car possible. I have to say a special thanks to “Logger” for everything. He is our tire specialist but is a fantastic spotter. He was great today directing me through traffic from the back of the field. We did a lot of work in the shop this week to get this car ready and John Tiernan worked hard getting it painted and lettered. My father and Dick Casey did everything to get this car ready. I have to say special thanks to my girlfriend Kelyn Harrell who is always there for me. I am the lucky one that gets to drive this race car but without all these people none of our success would be possible.”
Eddie Mac will complete the ACT season with the team competing at Thompson Motor Sports Park as part of the World Series of Racing on September 15 in a 75 lap feature on the high-banked five-eighths of a mile track.