Race 5 - 6/18/04
Stafford Motor Speedway

Aubuchon Hardware 150

Eddie Scores an 11th Place At Stafford

By Dick Casey HRM Motorsports

Eddie MacDonald’s eleventh place finish in the Aubuchon Hardware 150 at Stafford Springs Motor Speedway was satisfying after battling with a tight racecar. The HRM Motorsports Ford was tight in practice, qualifying, and during the race.

Despite the condition the team was pleased with the eighth place qualifying run. Crew chief Chris Raymond was all smiles saying, “ This is the best we have been here. We were hoping to do better but eighth is not bad.”

Eddie said of the run, “ The car was really tight in practice, so we compromised on the set up and we were happy to qualify as well as we did. We think we have a good race set up so we will see what happens.”

Eddie’s goal for the race was simple saying, “ We want to stay in one piece and have a good finish. Hopefully we can stay where we are and gain a few positions at the end.”

It was evident from the start of the race, the Rowley, Mass. driver had problems getting off the turns as the car continued to tighten up. Eddie was able to hold his position for the first 75 laps but the car began sliding up the track in the turns. A caution flag was thrown on lap 89 that brought a lot of cars to the pits for tires and adjustments but the HRM Motorsports team decided to stay out for track position. Eddie did restart in the third position behind Kelly Moore and Matt Kobyluck, both also choosing to stay out.

Eddie explained the team’s decision not to pit saying, “ At Thompson we did pit and it hurt us, so we thought if we stayed out and got up front, there would be a number of cautions making it difficult for others to pass us. It didn’t work out.”

The gamble did not pay off, as the car was just too tight, allowing cars with new right side rubber to catch and pass. Eddie slipped to eleventh on lap 131 and was able to hold off the competition to finish the race. The team did move one spot to ninth in the point’s race but Eddie was pleased to stay in the top ten.

“The car was way to tight and then at the end the brakes went away so finishing 11th was good,” said Eddie who was already making plans for next week’s race at Holland.

“ We are looking for a good run next weekend. Holland is a fun little track and we enjoy going there. It is the type of track we expect to do well on,” said the upbeat driver.

Look for the # 17 Ford to rebound in next Saturday’s 150 lap race on the 3/8th mile oval at Holland International Speedway in Holland New York.
Aubuchon Hardware 150

NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION, BUSCH NORTH SERIES

Stafford Motor Speedway - Friday, June 18, 2004

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

1. (2) Kelly Moore, Scarborough ME., Chevrolet, 150 $4,000
2. (3) Andy Santerre, Cherryfield ME., Chevrolet, 150, $3,600
3. (4) Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $2,800
4. (13) Mike Olsen, North Haverhill N.H., Chevrolet, 150, $2,300
5. (20) Dale Quarterley, Westfield Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $3,400
6. (10) Dave Dion, Hudson N.H., Ford, 150, $1,900
7. (12) Bill Penfold, Yarmouth ME., Chevrolet, 150, $1,700

8. (9) Brian Hoar, Williston VT., Dodge, 150, $1,600
9. (6) Mike Johnson, Salisbury Mass., Ford, 150, $1,500
10. (15) Bobby Dragon, Milton VT., Chevrolet, 150, $1,475
11. (8) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley Mass., Ford, 150, $1,375
12. (17) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $850
13. (14) Mike Stefanik, Coverntry R.I., Chevrolet, 150, $1,325
14. (11) Jamie Aube, Manchester N.H., Chevrolet, 150, $1,300
15. (7) Ryan Moore, Scarborough ME., Chevrolet, 150, $1,275
16. (18) Barney McRae, Colchester VT., Chevrolet, 149, $1,250
17. (1) Bryon Chew, Mattituck N.Y., Chevrolet, 149, $1,225
18. (21) Charles Lewandoski, Stafford Springs Conn , Chevrolet, 148, $700
19. (16) Ryan Seaman, Toms River N.J., Chevrolet, 148, $1,175
20. (24) Scott Bouley, Thomaston Conn., Chevrolet, 148, $1,150
21. (19) Don Wagner, Wharton N.J., Chevrolet, 148, $1,125
22. (22) John Cerbone, City Island N.Y., Chevrolet, 147, $1,125
23. (23) Kip Stockwell, Braintree VT., Chevrolet, 144, $1,125
24. (25) Fred Skaff, Haverhill Mass., Ford, 50, Brakes, $625
25. (5) Joey McCarthy, Randolph N.J., Chevrolet, 6, Engine, $1,125

* Denotes Rookie of the Year Contender

TIME OF RACE: 59 minutes, 35 seconds

AVERAGE SPEED: 75.524 mph

MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.162 seconds

CAUTION PERIODS: 3 for 19 laps

LEAD CHANGES: 2 between 2 drivers

LAP LEADERS: Kelly Moore 1-34, Andy Santerre 35, K. Moore 36-150

BUSCH POLE AWARD: Bryon Chew, Sta-Rite Pumps Chevrolet

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Dale Quarterley, Bully Hill Vineyards Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Dale Quarterley, Bully Hill Vineyards Chevrolet

Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald - jennymac29@hotmail.com