By Dick Casey---HRM Motorsports

Eddie MacDonald’s nineteenth place finish in the Sylvania 125 presented by Lowe’s at New Hampshire International Speedway was a result of contact with Mike Gallo on lap 55 that sent the Rowley, Mass. driver crashing into the turn four-wall.

“Mike Gallo doesn’t race too much so he forgets when someone is on the outside and can’t run all the way up to the wall. Maybe if he comes and runs a few more races he’ll figure it out. He didn’t care that anyone was there and drove me into the wall,” fumed MacDonald.

The HRM Motorsports Ford was on a rail after the competition yellow on lap 35 and was the fastest car on the track. Starting 10th on the lap 42 restart, MacDonald powered his way to the front, finding himself in fifth place two laps later. After another caution and restart on lap 50, he passed both Ryan Moore and Paul Wolfe to take the third spot and set his sights on the second place Gallo.

MacDonald was able to run the outside groove and tried to make the pass but Gallo moved up the track pinching the #17 into the wall causing heavy damage to the right front suspension. After numerous pit stops the crew was able to get the car back on the track but the damage was too severe to allow MacDonald to challenge for the lead and had to settle for 19th.

The team was very pleased with the car by race time considering the way the week started out. On Thursday, the #17 was so loose that MacDonald could hardly drive it around the Magic Mile. He was 27th fastest and the crew scrambled to tighten up the ill-handling machine for qualifying. The effort was successful as MacDonald posted the tenth quickest time and he gave the credit to the crew.

“That’s not too bad, starting 10th out of 39 cars. Chris Raymond and the guys really did a great job to get this car to handle the way it did. It was a little loose but compared to what it was, it was a huge improvement,” said MacDonald after Thursday’s qualifying run.

When the heavy Saturday rain postponed the race until Monday morning the team was still optimistic the car would be strong and they were correct. MacDonald was able to maintain his position and waited for the caution on lap 35 to make adjustments. Things went according to plan but bad luck struck again as it has many times this season.

“ I feel so bad for the crew, they worked their tails off to give me a strong car and it was perfect. It handled great and I could go inside or outside. It was the best handling car I’ve had all season. Even though it didn’t work out today as we planned, I want to thank the crew for their hard work. These guys are great,” said MacDonald finding something good to say after a disappointing day.

“ I also wanted to thank Arwood Machine Corporation of Newburyport for its sponsorship this weekend. It is a costly race for us to run, so we really appreciate the support we received from the company,” said MacDonald.

Despite the set back, MacDonald and the team are hoping for a strong showing in the MBNA America 150 Busch North Series race at Dover International Speedway on Friday September 24th.

Sylvania 125

NHIS - Monday, September 20th

F S # Driver, Car, Laps Completed, Money Won, Reason Out
==================================================================
1 11 6 Andy Santerre, Aubuchon Hardware Chevrolet, 125, $13,100
2 3 19 Paul Wolfe, Sahlens/Wegmans Chevrolet, 125, $9,000
3 9 74 Ryan Moore, R.C. Moore Transportation Chevrolet, 125, $8,500
4 13 32 Dale Quarterley, Femrouse Chevrolet, 125, $7,200
5 2 88 Mike Gallo, JBR Racing Ford, 125, $5,700
6 1 96 Mike Johnson, Johnson Lumber Ford, 125, $5,700
7 16 15 Bobby Dragon, Waste Management Chevrolet, 125, $5,300
8 21 52 Jerry Marquis, Furnace & Duct Chevrolet, 125, $4,300
9 6 64 Joey McCarthy, TRIMSPA Chevrolet, 125, $4,300
10 22 4 Brad Bennett, Reyben Racing Fgord, 125, $3,900
11 33 45 Brian Hoar, Goss Dodge Intrepid, 125, $4,700
12 15 31 Todd Bodine, Whelen Engineering Ford, 125, $3,000
13 8 99 Bryon Chew, Sta-Rite Pumps Chevrolet, 125, $3,400
14 7 35 Brad Leighton, Irving Oil Ford, 125, $3,300
15 5 47 Kelly Moore, NAPA Auto Parts of Maine Chevrolet, 125, $3,200
16 4 55 Mike Stefanik, Burnham Boilers Chevrolet, 125, $3,100
17 24 41 Don Wagner, Mannings USA Chevrolet, 125, $3,050
18 26 0 Bill Penfold, VIP Charter Coach Chevrolet, 125, $2,975
19 10 17 Eddie MacDonald, Arwood Machine Ford, 125, $2,950
20 36 21 Troy Williams, Thomson Terminals Chevrolet, 124, $2,425
21 25 5 Barney McRae, Akwawasne Mohawk Casino Chevrolet, 123, $2,900
22 28 33 Tracy Gordon, Woodworks Racing/Archer Corp. Ford, 123, $2,375
23 38 63 John Salemi, Good Times Emporium Chevrolet, 122, $2,350
24 27 06 Ryan Seaman, Camburn Electric Chevrolet, 118, $2,825
25 12 29 Dave Dion, Berlin City Ford Ford, 110, $2,800
26 14 40 Matt Kobyluck, Mohegan Sun Chevrolet, 108, $2,775
27 20 20 Sean Caisse, Parker Stores Chevrolet, 107, Accident, $2,250
28 18 10 Jamie Aube, One Stop Toy Shop Chevrolet, 107, Accident, $2,725
29 37 94 Mike Speakman, Carpenters Union Chevrolet, 91, Accident, $2,200
30 17 61 Mike Olsen, Little Trees Chevrolet, 89, Running, $2,700
31 35 78 Rick Bell, Evans Engine Cooling Pontiac, 88, Accident, $2,200
32 32 16 Kip Stockwell, Sabil & Sons Chevrolet, 81, Engine, $2,700
33 19 60 Dale Shaw, American Air Systems Chevrolet, 62, Accident, $2,200
34 23 00 Nevin George, RSR Racing Chevrolet, 55, Engine, $2,200
35 31 98 John Cerbone, Apache Fishing Chevrolet, 49, Engine, $2,700
36 34 26 Scott Bouley, Stump Thumpers 40, Running, $2,700
37 30 92 Doug Krpata, Island Trees Automotive Chevrolet, 25, Clutch, $2,700
38 39 30 Jeff Anton, Anton Racing Pontiac, 9, Vibration, $2,200

* Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender

TIME OF RACE: 1 hour, 58 min., 32 sec.     AVERAGE SPEED: 68.757 mph

MARGIN OF VICTORY: 1.138 seconds

CAUTION PERIODS: 5 for 49 laps

LEAD CHANGES: 6 among 5 drivers

LAP LEADERS: Mike Johnson 1-3, Paul Wolfe 4-11, Kelly Moore 12-15, Wolfe 16-45,
K. Moore 46-82, Mike Gaqllo 83-106, Andy Santerre 107-125

BUSCH POLE AWARD: Mike Johnson, Ford, 30.550 seconds @ 124.674 mph

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Brian Hoar, Dodge

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Ryan Moore, Chevrolet

Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald - jennymac29@hotmail.com