EDDIE MACDONALD STRUGGLES AT NHIS

By Dick Casey---Triple Crown Racing

Eddie MacDonald started ninth in the Sylvania 125 Presented by Lowes at New Hampshire International Speedway and took the lead on an impressive outside pass of Ryan Moore and Mike Stefanik in turns one and two on lap 23. Nine laps later more bad luck cost the One Stop Toy Shop Chevy a top finish when a problem with the water pump sent MacDonald to the pits for nine laps.

In a season that has proved frustrating for the team, the weekend at The Magic Mile did not start off well. For the third race in a row, the team lost another motor, this time in practice after only a lap and a half. The team put in “Mongo”, the nickname for the dependable back-up power plant that was also used at Oxford. With virtually no practice time, crew chief Rollie LaChance gambled with the set-up and his gamble really paid off.

MacDonald was able to drive the car up through the field and after a caution on lap eight for rain and moved to third place by lap 17. The Rowley, Mass. driver was flying on the outside and was able to catch both Moore and Stefanik in turn one to put the #77 in front and pulling away. MacDonald gave credit to his crew chief for his early success. “Rollie is just amazing. He hit the set-up near perfect and that is unbelievable considering we didn’t have much practice time. It ran great from the start and I was able to go wherever I wanted.”

MacDonald felt the car get real loose on lap 32 and almost lost it but didn’t know what was wrong, “I was going great and all of a sudden it slid out from under me. I didn’t know what happened until Jerry (Morello) told me on the radio that I was leaking fluid. It turned out to be the water pump and water was spraying all over my tires. By the time we got it fixed we lost nine laps in the pits. I hated it for the team because they have been working their tails off every week. We just need some luck.”

MacDonald completed the race and finished 27th and remains ninth in the point’s race. After the race, Triple Crown Racing owner Jerry Morello said over the radio, “ Hell of a job today, Eddie, Rollie, all of you guys. We just have to find some luck.” This is certainly the sentiment expressed by everyone associated with the team.

Hopefully lady luck will accompany the team to Dover International Speedway this weekend for the MBNA Race Points 150. MacDonald finished third there last season and hopes the team will bounce back from the last month’s woes for a solid finish at the Monster Mile.

Sylvania 125 Results

Results for the 09/16/2005 Sylvania 125 Presented by Lowes
from New Hampshire International Speedway:

F S # Driver, Car, Laps Completed, Money Won, Reason Out
================================================
1 21 35 Ted Christopher, Eagle Leasing Ford, 119, $17,000
2 23 25 Brad Leighton, Irving Oil Chev, 119, $10,300
3 4 74 Ryan Moore, R.C. Moore/Bill Dodge Chev, 119, $8,400
4 6 45 Brian Hoar, Goss Dodge Dodge, 119, $7,400
5 1 44 Andy Santerre, Castle Chemical Chev, 119, $7,000
6 2 55 Mike Stefanik, Burnham Hydronics Chev, 119, $5,900
7 34 33 Tracy Gordon, Woodworks/Archer Corp. Ford, 119, $6,000
8 16 8 Joey McCarthy, Trimspa Ultra Chev, 119, $5,000
9 12 06 Ryan Seaman, ERS Fleet Repair Chev, 119, $4,500
10 22 47 Kelly Moore, NAPA Auto Parts Chev, 119, $3,600
11 14 15 Dale Shaw, Waste Management Chev, 119, $3,900
12 25 21 Rogelio Lopez, Telmex/Corona Chev, 119, $3,200
13 5 61 Mike Olsen, Little Trees Chev, 119, $3,600
14 31 88 Mike Gallo, JBR Racing Ford, 119, $3,000
15 8 99 Bryon Chew, Buzz Chew Auto Group Chev, 119, $3,400
16 11 29 Dave Dion, Berlin City Ford Ford, 119, $3,375
17 15 63 John Salemi*, Salemi Racing Pontiac, 119, $3,275
18 28 19 Kenny Horton, Pasquirello Electric Chev, 119, $3,250
19 17 26 Scott Bouley, Shorty's Towing & Recovery Chev, 119, $3,225
20 26 52 Jerry Marquis, Furnace & Duct Chev, 119, $3,200
21 10 5 Sean Caisse*, Casella Waste Systems Chev, 119, $3,180
22 13 16 Kip Stockwell, Sabil & Sons Service Chev, 119, $3,155
23 32 84 Dion Ciccarelli, Star Sales Ford, 119, $2,645
24 18 30 Jeff Anton*, Anton Racing Chev, 118, $3,100
25 36 92 Doug Krpata, Island Trees Automotive Chev, 117, $2,575
26 24 97 Clair Zimmermann, Huntilar Corp. Chev, 117, $2,550
27 9 77 Eddie MacDonald, One Stop Toy Shop Chev, 110, $3,050
28 33 00 Donny Lia, Solhem Racing Chev, 107, $2,550
29 7 96 Mike Johnson, Johnson Lumber Ford, 101, $3,050
30 27 41 Don Wagner, Mannings USA Chev, 92, Handling, $3,050
31 19 09 Joe Masessa*, North Jersey Dermatology Chev, 82, Accident, $3,050
32 20 2 Laine Chase, Hot Tubs & More Chev, 71, Handling, $3,050
33 3 40 Matt Kobyluck, Mohegan Sun Chev, 62, Accident, $3,050
34 35 65 Robby Benton, MAC Tools Ford, 50, Accident, $2,550
35 30 34 Mike Molleur, A&A II Auto Rental Chev, 34, Handling,$2,550
36 29 38 Anthony Demonte, Demonte Motorsports Chev, 22, Handling, $2,550
37 37 60 Bill Duggan, Interstate Concrete Chev, 16, Accident, $2,550

TIME OF RACE: 1 hour, 36 minutes, 57 seconds
AVERAGE SPEED: 77.329 mph
MARGIN OF VICTORY: Under Caution
CAUTION PERIODS: 9 for 61 laps

LEAD CHANGES: 12 among 6 drivers
LAP LEADERS: Stefanik 1-13, R. Moore 14, Stefanik 15-22, Moore 23-25,MacDonald 26-32,
Moore 33-53, Santerre 54-61, Leighton 62-76,Santerre 77, Leighton 78-82, Christopher 83-86,
Leighton 87-103, Christopher 104-119

BUSCH POLE AWARD: None awarded, qualifying rained out

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Tracy Gordon

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Brad Leighton, Irving Oil Ford

Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald - jennymac29@hotmail.com