Follow Eddie on
race weekends


2020

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th

Second Place Finish in the World Series
Eddie Mac scored a second place finish in the Pro All Star Series 75 lap feature in the annual World Series of Racing at Thompson Motorsports Park on Sunday. The 17ma Chevy just could not get solid restarts when the green flag flew after two cautions costing him the lead and possible win.

"The car was really good and after taking the lead from DJ (Shaw) I was able to open a bit of a lead on lap 29 but the cautions definitely changed things," said Eddie Mac. "For some reason the car would not go on the restart which was a big surprise. It always took off on restarts but it took a couple of laps to get the speed back and by that time DJ had a pretty good lead."

Driving the Dave Lemieux owned Chevy, Eddie Mac posted solid practice times on Saturday and finished second from his fourth starting position in the second heat. Twenty-one cars lined up for the 75 lap feature on the 5/8th of a mile fast, high banked speedway and immediately drove into second behind eventual winner DJ Shaw. The two opened a sizeable lead over the field with the 17ma Chevy on Shaw's bumper.

On lap 29, Eddie Mac passed Shaw for the lead and opened up a five car length lead and was cruising when the caution flag flew on lap 42. On the restart, Eddie Mac's car just did not go as Shaw raced to the lead. Before completing the lap, the caution flag flew again. The car did not go again on the restart and Eddie Mac now had to deal with the #93 battling for the third spot.

"I raced the #93 for a couple of laps and by the time I made it to second place, DJ had a big lead and I knew it would be tough to catch him unless we had another caution and got lucky on the restart," said the veteran racer. "That didn't happen and we ended up with a decent second place finish. You always want the win but we had a good run. The crew did another great job as they usually do and Rollie and I thank them for all the hard work all season. Thanks to Dave Lemieux and Freddie Peterson our car owners for their support. We also thank Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty and Rob Grimm from Grimm Construction for their help as well as, Schroth Racing and HMS."

"On a very happy note, our great friend and longtime sponsor from Hancock Electric Kenny Thompson was released from the rehab hospital a couple of weeks ago and is now recuperating at home which is fantastic news," said Eddie Mac. "I am sure he is driving Carol crazy! Kenny is just the greatest guy and we all love him and we are cheering him on to a full recovery."
Photos by Norm Marx
Third Place Finish for Eddie Mac
at Lee 9/11 Pro Stock Open
Eddie Mac returned to his roots Friday night at Lee USA Speedway, the track formerly owned by his parents, to post a third place finish in the $10,000 to Win Pro Stock Open with a ceremony remembering those lives lost on September 11th in a touching tribute. The veteran racer began his career on the 3/8ths of a mile oval as a high school student competing in the Street Stock division. Since then, Eddie Mac has gone on to achieve many milestones in the sport and would have liked nothing better than to add another win at Lee.

The race, originally scheduled for 150 laps, was cut to 100 laps on lap 87, due to curfew concerns, forcing a gambling move by Eddie Mac to catch the leader Derek Griffith from his second position. It was not until the spotter found out the race was shortened that Eddie Mac knew of the change. At that stage the EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric/Grimm Construction Chevy was running behind the leader and gaining every lap.

"I felt I had something for Derek but when I heard we only had 13 laps to go I knew I had to try to make something happen," said Eddie Mac after the race. "With 12 to go I tried to get a big jump coming out of turn four and ended up hitting the wall on the front stretch. I thought I flattened the tire but it stayed up but turning it was another problem. The #93 did get by me with five to go but I managed to hold off the #16 for third place."

Upon inspection by the crew after the race, it was discovered the right front shock was seriously bent with Eddie Mac saying. "I was lucky to finish the final laps the way that shock was damaged but I am disappointed we didn't get a chance to challenge Derek for the win. We have been struggling with this car this season so it really felt good to have it run so well here. The car was very good from the first practice and we qualified for the race with the second fastest time. We were able to run in the second spot for most of the race so that is a very good sign."

Eddie Mac went on to say, "I have to thank Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty in Middleton, Mass and Rob Grimm from Grimm Construction, who made the drive here from Pennsylvania with our old K&N hauler driver Steve Vasey. Our great friend Kenny Thompson from Hancock Electric in Quincy is recovering from his injuries in a south shore rehab and we keep him and Carol in our thoughts every day. Of course many thanks to our car owner Freddie Peterson from Peterson Auto in Peabody, Mass. Thanks also to Schroth Racing and HMS for their continued support. Rollie and I couldn't do this without our dedicated crew of: Laura, Ryan, Warren, Brian, Arvo, Tom, and Hoppy who are simply the best."
Photos by
Norm Marx
Photos by Richard Casey
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
15th PLACE FINISH

 Eddie Mac Finishes 15th in the Oxford 250
Eddie Mac's hopes for a solid top five finish and a challenge for his third Oxford 250 title faded quickly after a promising practice session on Friday. After a Saturday washout, a modified Sunday schedule derailed needed practice time for all teams. The Hancock Electric/Grimm Construction/EXIT Realty Chevy's ill handling car resulted in a 15th place finish for the disappointed veteran racer.

"The car was really good in the Friday practices and I was able to drive it inside and outside and that is what you have to be able to do here in order to contend for the win," said Eddie Mac. "When we went out for the short practices on Sunday and in the heat, the car would not handle. It was completely different and the only difference was the tires. They are so important on this track and we just didn't have what we needed."

The 17ma Dave Lemieux owned ride started seventh in the heat and was able to post a fourth place finish to gain the 17th starting position in the 44 car field. However a wreck on the first lap of the scheduled 250 laps, bunched the field causing an accordion effect and tenting the hood of Eddie Mac's ride saying, "Someone up front didn't go and we all ran into each other and it caused the nose to push in and the hood to tent up so it was difficult to see over it. I was able to drive it but obviously something like that affects the car's handling."

Eddie Mac battled for much of the race mired in mid-pack before fighting for the 10th spot on lap 106. With the handling becoming a more serious issue, Eddie Mac slipped back to 14th place until finally going a lap down on lap 172. A caution on lap 180 gave Eddie Mac the "lucky dog" and restarted 15th. A caution on lap 223 brought Eddie Mac to the pits for a final adjustment, restarting 16th one lap down and into the 15th position with ten to go.

"We knew it was going to be an interesting day because we did not have a lot of practice with this car and Oxford is a tricky track so everything has to be just right," said Eddie Mac. "Rollie and the crew did a great job as usual and really worked hard but it just wasn't meant to be. We greatly appreciate the help from our sponsors Hancock Electric, Rob Grimm from Grimm Construction, Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty and special thanks to TEAM PERRY CrossCountry Mortgage for coming on board for this race. I also have to thank Dave Lemieux and Freddie Peterson for their support all season. Thanks also to Schroth Racing and HMS for their continued help for our team."

"Our team owes a great deal of gratitude to Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric for their friendship and sponsorship for a dozen years," said Eddie Mac. "As some of you are aware, our beloved friend Kenny suffered serious injuries in a fall at home over a month ago. His son Scott reports Kenny has been transferred to a rehab hospital to begin his long road to recovery. We are so thankful to hear this since Kenny is such an awesome friend. We wish him, Kenny's wife Carol and the rest of the family our sincere love for you all."
Heat>>
Feature>>
Photos by Norm Marx
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16th, 2020
24th PLACE FINISH
Running in heavy traffic and making no progress to the front,
the #17ma made repeated pit stops for adjustments and
began to treat the race as a practice for chassis set-up.
Photos by Norm Marx
FRIDAY, JULY 24th, 2020
Third Place Finish for Eddie at Riverside Speedway
Eddie Mac battled for 150 laps in the Pro Series All Star race at Riverside Speedway, formerly Speedway 51, in Groveton, New Hampshire on Friday night to post a solid third place finish. The Hancock Electric/Grimm Construction Chevy started third on the grid after posting a second place run in the heat.

The top three finish is what the team was looking for after a disappointing outing at Oxford last week with Eddie Mac saying, "We wanted a good run this week and finishing third is not bad but like every other driver, we wanted the win. The car was good but just a little too loose at the end. We have been trying some different things the last few races and I think we are starting to zero in on what the car needs."

For much of the race, Eddie Mac followed eventual winner Johnny Clark but could never get close enough for the pass. The veteran racer, driving the Freddie Paterson owned Chevy, rode on Clark's rear bumper for nearly half the race. Clark was able to open a sizeable lead as he negotiated lapped traffic while Eddie Mac ran into side by side traffic saying, " It seemed like I hit got stuck behind lapped cars and my car was getting looser so it really didn't like going to the outside."

Eddie Mac lost second place to Ben Ashline but regained the second spot when Ashline had to pit but then had to deal with Nick Sweet and finally gave up the second position on lap 122. Travis Benjamin tried in vain to pass Eddie Mac over the closing laps but the Rowley, Mass native held him off to score the third place finish.

"I am somewhat disappointed to start third and finish third but I really feel the car was a lot more stable today than it has been," said Eddie Mac. "Rollie (LaChance) and the crew have been working hard and it is starting to show. These guys, Ryan, Warren, Craig, Brian, and Tom really work hard in the pits and Rollie and I thank them. I also want to recognize our car owner Freddie Peterson and our longtime sponsors Kenny and Scott Thompson from Hancock Electric in Quincy, and Rob Grimm from Grimm Construction in Waymart, Pa. I also thank New England Racing Fuels, Schroth Racing and HMS for all they do to help us."

"I also have to thank our new race reporter Ryan LaChance who has been keeping everyone up to date about how we are doing on the track," praised Eddie Mac. "Ryan can't replace Jolene (Drandson) but he is doing a great job."
Photos by Norm Marx
SATURDAY, JULY 18th, 2020
18th PLACE FINISH
Photos by Norm Marx
THE COASTAL AUTO PARTS 150
 -
SUNDAY, JUNE 28th, 2020

Eddie Runs Fifth in PASS Race at OPS
Eddie MacDonald posted a solid fifth place finish in the Coastal Auto Parts 150 Super Late Model race at Oxford Plains Speedway, Maine on Sunday. The Hancock Electric/Grimm Construction Chevy owned by Freddie Peterson raced for the first time this season with MacDonald somewhat pleased with the result.

"Obviously you always want to run better but after the practice day on Saturday, we made a ton of changes and they almost paid off," said Eddie Mac after the race. "We were real slow on Saturday so Rollie (LaChance-crew chief) and the crew made a bunch of adjustments and by the end of practice Sunday morning we felt we had a pretty good car."

Eddie Mac started seventh in the 33-car field after scoring second from the sixth starting position in the fourth heat. When the green flag waved, the familiar #17Ma Chevy moved slowly to the front and by lap 36, rode in fourth. After passing eventual winner Nick Sweet the Rowley, Mass veteran racer was in the second spot challenging for the lead by lap 44.

For forty laps Eddie Mac tried for the lead but then had to deal with lapped traffic and fell back a couple of spots saying, "The car was great on the bottom but did not like the outside one bit. After the caution on lap 107 the car just started getting a little loose and with about twenty to go it was really loose. I had to hang on to finish in fifth place. As I said, after Saturday, running near the front today was a lot of fun. I don't know why we got so loose at the end but we will figure it out and be ready for the next race."

Along with Hancock Electric from Quincy, Mass. and Grimm Construction from Waymart, Pa other sponsors include HMS, Schroth Racing, New England Racing Fuels, and Peterson Auto Body in Peabody, Mass.
Photos by
Norm Marx

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020
21st PLACE FINISH - 148 LAPS
Photos by Norm Marx
>> Previous Race Results HERE <<
       
Grimm Racing Is More than Just Winning 
Racing may be about winning but it also has plenty of room for support and compassion for people and causes and this is what Grimm Racing is all about. If anyone has any doubt about the validity of the statement, all they have to do is to look at the vinyl covering the car. The MS, New Path Adventures, Boston Strong logos, and the Eric Williams emblem are displayed on every Grimm car.

Recently Megan Spaulding, the daughter of Carla and Rob Grimm, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In an effort to support MS Awareness Week, the #71 carried the logo for the first race on the rear quarter panels at Bristol. Rob Grimm decided the MS banner would be permanently displayed on the car for the entire season. The family and members of Grimm Nation will participate as the “MS Warriors” in the May 5 MS Walk at Pocono Speedway.  (http://walkpae.nationalmssociety.org)

The Grimm family was deeply moved by the horrific events on Marathon Monday in Boston and the decision was easily reached to display the “Boston Strong” ribbon on the car. Eddie MacDonald and many of the team members call the Boston area home and felt the need to support those killed, injured, and their families was something Grimm Racing does for all those in need.
(onefundboston.org)

Rob Grimm decided that “New Path Adventures” logo would be displayed on the back of the car for the season. New Path Adventures is based in Dallas, Texas and ministers to troubled youths ages 13-19. Crew member Steven Owens, nephew of Rob Grimm, is proud to say his brother Jonathan Owens and Alan Owens offer guidance and a positive change in the choices these youngsters make in their daily lives. The Spanish to English Ministry recently completed a very successful bike ride across the state of Texas, an 865 mile journey, to raise money. Alan and Jonathan work with a group of 7-10 youngsters by taking them from their environment and harmful behavior, minister to them while living out of backpacks in the wilds of Texas. NewPathAdventures.org is a good source for information.

On February 25, 2013 Corrections Officer Eric Williams was murdered in the line of duty at the U.S Penitentiary located in Canaan, Pa. that is within sight of the Grimm Racing shop in Waymart, Pa. In order to honor Officer Williams and those men and women that serve, every Grimm car will display the emblem for the remainder of the season. (www.facebook.comCorrectionalPeaceOfficersFoundation)

Being a member of Grimm Nation is much more than supporting the #71 on the track. It means a commitment to show support for those in need.

>> Previous Race Results HERE <<

67I67II67IIII6

4-9-21