Thompson Int'l Speedway - 7/14/07 - 16th

Photos by Norm Marx

MACDONALD FINISHES SIXTEENTH AFTER INCIDENT AT THOMPSON
Eddie MacDonald was running sixth on lap 96 in the Busch East Series’ Pepsi 100 at Thompson International Speedway when the Grimm Construction Chevy was sent spinning in turn four. The spin cost MacDonald a solid finish, ending up sixteenth.

“I think the #99 got on it a little too hard. He had a good run off the corner and ended up getting into us and spinning us around. So it was unfortunate because we had a good run going and this being the first time out with this car this year. We were hoping for a top-ten finish but obviously we missed out on that,” said MacDonald after the race.

The day did not start out well in the car purchased from MacDonald in the off-season by Rob Grimm from Waymart, PA Grimm did his homework and decided the best person to drive it was MacDonald with Rollie LaChance as crew chief and the crew members. The new owner bought a spec motor and delivered the car to MacDonald Motorsports to get it race-ready.

The first practice soon exposed multiple problems on the first lap. After changes were made the car improved to 19th fastest from 31st. By the time qualifying rolled off, the team had given MacDonald a car that ended up qualifying third. The second lap was nearly one half second faster.

“ I was really surprised we went that well considering all the problems in practice and the first time out in this car. It just goes to show how good Rollie is and how hard this team works. The handling was great so hopefully it will be just as good in the race. We did not have a lot of practice after fixing all the problems, so hopefully it will hold up, we’ll see. It was real loose and breaking up in practice so we threw everything at it and it worked.”

MacDonald started third and moved to second when Marc Davis bobbled in turn two on lap eight. The car began to wash up in the turn so MacDonald made a brake adjustment during the lap 12-caution and decided to move down a groove. The plan worked as he was able to chase down the leader Sean Caisse but while attempting to make an outside pass in turn four on lap 24, the car slid in oil dropped on the track costing MacDonald four positions. The caution came out for oil on the next lap.

“Someone dumped it on the restart on the outside and three guys got underneath me. It was unfortunate because the car could maintain its position but it couldn’t pass too well when it washed up like that. It could hold its own but that’s about it. But I think we were a 5th or 6th place car at the end and even a little better while we kept dialing in the brake,” said the dejected Rowley, Mass. driver.

MacDonald continued to make brake adjustments and trying the outside for a better rotation through the turns but the car kept washing up. Brad Leighton finally got by putting MacDonald in sixth place on the lap 92 restart. Four laps later in turn four, the #99 drove into the rear lifting the tires off the ground sending the car spinning. After making a pit stop, MacDonald returned to the track in the 16th position and was able to miss the wrecks and survive the two “overtimes” to complete the race on the lead lap.

“I am disappointed with this finish but I want to thank car owner Rob Grimm for giving me the opportunity to drive for him. Hopefully we will be able to do something together again,” said and optimistic driver. No sooner had MacDonald made the statement, Grimm offered the ride for the July 28th race at Adirondack International Speedway.

Pepsi Racing 100 Race Results

Source: NASCAR Public Relations

THOMPSON, CT – Sean Caisse snapped a four-race sour streak to score his second NASCAR Busch East Series win of the season, leading all but two laps in the Pepsi Racing 100 Saturday night at Thompson International Speedway.

In the end, Caisse had to withstand pressure from runner-up Matt Kobyluck through two “overtime” restarts that extended the event to 108 laps. On the second attempt, the leaders took the white flag before a final incident between Michelle Theriault and Jesus Hernandez brought the caution and checkered flags.

Kobyluck finished second followed by Mike Olsen, series points leader Joey Logano and Brad Leighton.

Caisse, the top qualifier for the event, started on the pole. Outside front row starter Marc Davis led Caisse by a fender at the completion of lap one, then slipped in turn two and dropped to fourth. He was later involved in multi-car incident and finished 28th. Kobyluck led one lap, 92, pressuring Caisse on the restart late in the event.

Texas James Buescher finished sixth followed by Ruben Pardo, Bryon Chew, Eric Holmes, and John Salemi.

Finish Start Car # Driver Hometown Car Laps Money Won Reason Out
1 1 44 Sean Caisse Pelham, N.H. Casella Waste Management Chevrolet 108 $8,000  
2 12 40 Matt Kobyluck Uncasville, Conn. Mohegan Sun Chevrolet 108 $3,665  
3 7 61 Mike Olsen N. Haverhill, N.H. Little Trees Chevrolet 108 $3,300  
4 13 55 Brad Leighton Center Harbor, N.H. Irving Oil Chevrolet 108 $2,500  
5 4 20 Joey Logano # Middletown, Conn. Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet 108 $2,300  
6 8 31 James Buescher Plano, Texas Coca-Cola Chevrolet 108 $1,450  
7 9 22 Ruben Pardo Mexico City, Mexico Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge 108 $1,050  
8 15 99 Bryon Chew Mattituck, N.Y. Huntin The World Chevrolet 108 $1,500  
9 11 35 Eric Holmes Salida, Calif. Waste Management Recycle America Ford 108 $975  
10 20 30 Jeff Anton Russell, Mass. Baran Institute/Engineered Floors Chevrolet 108 $900  
11 19 63 John Salemi Nashua, N.H. John Salemi Racing Chevrolet 108 $875  
12 5 83 Peyton Sellers Danville, Va. Strutmasters.com Chevrolet 108 $850  
13 30 39 Dustin Delaney Mayfield, Conn. Delaney Infrastructure Chevrolet 108 $1,775  
14 10 1 Jeffrey Earnhardt # Mooresville, N.C. Tracker Boats Chevrolet 108 $725  
15 25 11 Laine Chase Beverly, Mass. Hot Tubs & More Chevrolet 108 $700  
16 3 71 Eddie MacDonald Rowley, Mass. Grimm Construction Chevrolet 108 $675  
17 23 16 Max Dumarey Gent, Belgium BodyCoach.net Chevrolet 108 $650  
18 6 4 Jesus Hernandez # Fresno, Calif. Allstate Chevrolet 108 $650  
19 18 84 Dion Ciccarelli Severn, Md. Star Sales/Operation Gratitude Chevrolet 107 $650  
20 28 21 Chris Bristol Columbus, Ohio Raintree Vacation/Aqua Pure Chevrolet 107 $650  
21 21 5 Jonathan Smith # Beacon Falls, Conn. Kodak Chevrolet 107 $650  
22 22 96 Mike Johnson Salisbury, Mass. Johnson Lumber Ford 107 $650  
23 16 37 Michelle Theriault # Bristol, Conn. Glock, Inc. Chevrolet 106 $650  
24 29 15 Glenn Sullivan Westbury, N.Y. Waste Management Chevrolet 100 $650  
25 14 66 Chase Austin Emporia, Kan. HomeLife Communities Dodge 99 $650  
26 17 03 Rogelio Lopez Aquascalientes, Mexico Telmex/Lucas Oil Chevrolet 91 $650  
27 24 52 Jamie Hayes Norlina, N.C. J.L. Hendrick Chevrolet 40 $650 Overheating
28 2 18 Marc Davis Mitchelville, Md. Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet 33 $650 Accident
29 26 41 James Pritchard Jr Wharton, N.J. Mannings USA Chevrolet 25 $650 Accident
30 27 26 Scott Bouley Wolcott, Conn. Cutting Edge Signs & Shirts Chevrolet 25 $650 Rear End
               
Did Not Qualify:              
  85 Rob Humphreys Elbridge, N.Y. Humphreys Garage Chevrolet      
                 

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 2 minutes 43 seconds
Margin of Victory: .328 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: S.Caisse (109.508 mph, 20.382 seconds)
Caution Flags: 9 for 47 laps.
Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: M.Davis 1; S.Caisse 2-91; M.Kobyluck 92; S.Caisse 93-108.

Standings: 1. J. Logano, 1144; 2. M. Olsen, 1049; 3. M. Kobyluck, 1030; 4. P. Sellers, 994; 5. S. Caisse, 943; 6. B. Chew, 902; 7. J. Anton, 888; 8. J. Earnhardt, 880; 9. J. Hayes, 877; 10. J. Hernandez, 873.

Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald - jennymac29@hotmail.com