By: Dick Casey
Eddie MacDonald drove from his 17th place starting position in the Pro All Star Series 150 lap Super Late Model event at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday afternoon to post an encouraging eighth place finish. In only the second race of the season at OPS, the team is dialing in the new Freddie Peterson owned Camaro and the Rowley, Mass. driver is pleased with the progress.
“During the first practice I knew we had a car that could contend for the win,” said the veteran racer. “I was able to drive it anywhere and that was a great sign. After our first race in the new car, we knew we had to make a change which is something to be expected. After a day of testing, Rollie (LaChance) and I were able to figure out the changes we needed to make to get the car better, Dale Shaw, the car builder, spent time with us and his input was very helpful.”
Eddie Mac posted the second fastest time in the EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric #17 Ma and made minor adjustments for the second and final practice. Eddie Mac started tenth in the heat and could only manage a sixth place finish saying, “The heat was only 15 laps so to come from last was a problem but we had new tires on and that hurt us. We only had two short practices so we didn’t get to scuff the tires and that really made the car tight. We tried to loosen the car up for the race but it was still tight.”
Eddie Mac started the 150 lap race 17th on the grid and was able to make modest gains throughout the first 112 laps when the caution flag flew. The crew went to work making wedge and air pressure changes and Eddie Mac restarted in the 14th position for the final 38 laps. The car just took off and was able to pick up six spots before time ran out to score the eighth place finish.
“We decide to pit and that made a huge difference,” said Eddie Mac. “The car was still a little tight but I was able to drive it on the outside and passed a number of cars. This is exactly what we were hoping to accomplish and even though you want a better finish, we know we are headed in the right direction. The car felt really great at the end of the race and we are looking forward to our next race.”
“Thanks for all the support from car owner Freddie Peterson and our sponsors Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty in Middleton, Mass. and Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric in Quincy, Mass. and Rob Grimm from Grimm Construction in Waymart, Pa. Thanks also to Bobby Wood, Dave Lemieux, HMS and Schroth Racing for their continued support. Our crew is the best and every race they do everything to get us running our best. Rob, Jolene, Ryan, Laura, Brian, Tom, and Hoppy are a dedicated group of people and they make all the difference.”
Eddie Mac will race next at the legendary Milwaukee Mile in the Pathfinder Chassis house car June 14-15 before returning to compete in the Short Track Showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Dave Lemieux owned Chevy Super Late Model on June 22-23.