By Dick Casey---HRM Motorsports

Eddie MacDonald’s expectations for a top ten finish at Watkins Glen International were dashed when he cut down a tire but still managed a thirteenth place finish. Eddie had a solid run going as he moved up from his 12th place starting spot on the grid driving the HRM Motorsports Ford to the seventh position before the mishap.

MacDonald said, “ The car was a good top ten car but I just drove it in too deep around lap 45 on the “ Inner Loop” and ended up cutting down a tire but the crew did a great job of getting it changed so I didn’t lose a lap.” He restarted the race in the 23rd position and was again able to move back through the pack into 13th but just couldn’t get to the front.

After scoring a third place finish in the rain shortened event last year, the team was looking forward to another strong run but their plans were seriously dampened by the inclement weather. The team ran a Chevy last year, so a number of set up changes were planned during practice for the Ford but they were limited greatly due to the rain that cut short the practice schedule. Despite the time constraints, MacDonald was pleased with the car’s performance saying, “ It felt good in practice and it handled the turns well and was decent down the straights, so we knew if we could just stay out of trouble we would be in a good position at the end.”

However, as luck would have it this year, the hope of staying trouble-free was not going to happen at The Glen either. Even though this team has had its share of bad luck, Eddie was quick to point out that the finish there was acceptable saying, “ When we came here we thought a top ten would really be good, so coming in 13th after going off the track and cutting down the tire is still a decent run.”

MacDonald said, “ Because of the bad luck we haven’t had a lot of time to focus on the race set ups; we have spent most of our time at the shop fixing the car instead of working on making it faster.” Last year at this time, the team was 11th in points, the same spot they are currently in at this time. With only four races remaining the team is determined to change their luck and hope to do so at one of their favorite tracks on the schedule.

This Saturday’s race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway may be just what the doctor ordered for the team since Eddie has experienced great success there with four top five finishes there in the last four races including his first Busch North Series victory coming in the September 2002 race. With a second, third and fifth place finish to their credit the team is not relaxing for a minute. According to Eddie, “ We tested there recently because we know the competition will be a lot stronger and we will be running the Ford there for the first time.”

Crew Chief Chris Raymond and the rest of the crew were very pleased with the results as the Ford posted faster times than the Chevy. Said Eddie of the practice session, “ The Ford was a lot more stable all the way around the track and was really fast. We hope to have a good qualifying run because it is so important to start near the front there.”

Based on the team’s success in the past at Beech Ridge, they are hopeful for a repeat performance to bring them to the end of the season. MacDonald is really confident saying, “ We would love to win the pole and the race and we really need a good finish after the struggle we have had. I love running at Beech Ridge and hope this will be our day; we really need it.”

Mohegan Sun 150 presented by Pepsi

NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION, BUSCH NORTH SERIES

Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y., Saturday, August 14

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS (finishing position, starting position, driver, hometown, manufacturer, laps completed, reason out if any, money won)

1.    (20) Brad Leighton, Center Harbor, N.H., Ford, 62, $18,021
2.    (10) Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt., Chevrolet, 62, $9,221
3.    (6)   Dale Quarterley, Westfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 62, $7,121
4.    (5)   Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville, Conn., Chevrolet, 62, $5,821
5.    (7)   Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Chevrolet, 62, $4,821
6.    (28) Paul Wolfe, Milford, N.Y., Chevrolet, 62, $4,900
7.    (1)   Andy Santerre, Cherryfield, Me., Chevrolet, 62, $4,721
8.    (8)   Joey McCarthy, Randolph, N.J., Chevrolet, 62, $3,921
9.    (31) Rick Bell, Salisbury, Mass., Pontiac, 62, $3,000
10.    (27) Jeremy Treadway, Ticonderoga, N.Y., Pontiac, 62, $2,700
11.    (9)   Mike Johnson, Salisbury, Mass., Ford, 62, $3,021
12.    (29) Jack Lewis, Norcross, Ga., Ford, 62, $2,300
13. (12) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Ford, 62, $2,721
14.    (3)   Kelly Moore, Scarborough, Me., Chevrolet, 62, $2,621
15.    (34) Jeff Anton, Westfield, Mass., Pontiac, 62, $2,000
16.    (25) Bryan Wall, Plaistow, N.H., Ford, 62, $1,900
17.    (16) Ryan Seaman, Toms River, N.J., Chevrolet, 62, $2,321
18.    (14) Bryon Chew, Mattituck, N.Y., Chevrolet, 62, $2,296
19.    (2)   Mike Olsen, North Haverhill, N.H., Chevrolet, 61, $2,271
20.    (18) Kip Stockwell, Braintree, Vt., Pontiac, 61, $2,146
21.    (11) Bobby Dragon, Milton, Vt., Chevrolet, 60, $2,121
22.    (19) Barney McRae, Colchester, Vt., Pontiac, 58, $2,096
23.    (17) Scott Bouley, Thomaston, Conn., Chevrolet, 58, $2,071
24.    (26) Jinmy Morales, Mexico City, Mexico, Chevrolet, 56, $1,525
25.    (15) Jamie Aube, Manchester, N.,H., Chevrolet, 55, Engine, $2,021
26.    (32) Tom Carey, Orange, Mass., Chevrolet, 48, Accident, $1,400
27.    (30) George Whelen, Old Saybrook, Conn., Ford, 48, Transmission, $1,400 
28.    (33) Jeff Spraker, Latham, N.Y., Chevrolet, 47, Accident, $1,400
29.    (23) Doug Krpata, Bethpage, N.Y., Chevrolet, 34, Running, $1,921
30.    (24) Brad Bennett, Stamford, Conn., Frord, 27, Engine, $1,921
31.    (22) Tim Andrews, Coccord, N.C., Chevrolet, 22, Engine, $1,921
32.    (21) John Cerbone, City Island, N.Y., Chevrolet, 19, Handling, $1,921
33.    (4)   Ryan Moore, Scarborough, Me., Chevrolet, 16, Accident, $1,921
34.    (13) Bill Penfold,. Yarborough, Me., Chevrolet, 3, Accident,  $1,921



TIME: 2 hours, 4 minutes, 56 seconds

AVERAGE SPEED: 72.951 miles per hour

MARGIN OF VICTORY: .211 seconds

CAUTION PERIODS: 6 for 23 laps

LEAD CHANGES: 5 among 5 drivers

LAP LEADERS: Andy Santerre 1, Matt Kobyluck 2-16, Dale Quarterley 17-24, Kobyluck 25-29, Brian Hoar 30-34, Brad Leighton 35-62

BUSCH POLE AWARD: Not awarded, qualifying cancelled due to inclement weather

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Paul Wolfe, Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Dale Quarterley, Chevrolet
 

Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald - jennymac29@hotmail.com