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Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen, NY
2.45
Mile
Road Course |
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Eddie
Pleased with 7th Place Finish at Watkins Glen |
Eddie
MacDonald’s seventh place finish in the NASCAR Camping
World Series East Tioga Downs Casino 125 at Watkins Glen
International satisfied the veteran driver on a track
that has produced mixed results over the last two
outings.
“ We ran great there two years ago but last year we blew
a motor early. At both road courses last year we broke
the engine so this was a good finish for us. The car was
good and we finished with it in one piece and that is
always a good thing. You always want to finish better
but this is what we had and I am happy with the run we
had. We didn’t have any issues with the car or with
anyone on the track. It was a lot of fun out there and
to have a top ten finish on that track is satisfying.”
The Grimm Construction Chevy qualified 11th on the
starting grid and was able to move up through the pack
after the green flag waved and into second place in the
first third of the race with MacDonald saying, “We
decided on an early pit strategy and that gave us an
opportunity to run up front. The car was really handling
well and the engine was very strong. After the problems
we had last year and with the number of engines that
blew up this year you always worry but fortunately, we
didn’t have any issues. Anytime you can run this track
and be able to say that, it is a good thing. We’ve had
our share of problems the last two races, so to go the
whole way without a hiccup is really great. The guys did
a great job preparing the car.”
MacDonald is currently fourth in the points and feels
the remaining races on the schedule are on tracks that
have produced positive results. Next up is the Friday,
June 25th race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; a track
that produced both wins last year for the Grimm Racing
Team. The June and September wins opened a lot of eyes
in the racing community but it was something both
MacDonald and crew chief Rollie LaChance knew was very
possible.
“ Both Rollie and I knew that we could run there and
win. We just needed a little luck. We always were fast
there but something stupid always seemed to happen to
put us out. Winning the first race there was a dream
come true. It proved that all our hard work and
preparation paid off. Winning the second one proved to
everyone else that the first one was not a fluke. We are
really looking forward to going back there as defending
champs and do it again. We know it won’t be easy but
neither was last year and look what happened.”
MacDonald is pleased to point out that NEMO (New England
Mechanical Overlay of Pembroke, N.H.) will again be the
primary sponsor at NHMS, as it was last year saying, “
Becky and Ron Bennett have been with us right along so
it would be really great to give them another win in our
biggest race of the season. Our goal is to contend for
the championship so a solid run at Loudon will gives us
a lot of momentum for the second half of the season.” |
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Watkins Glen International Data
Race Date: 6/6/09
East Race: #5 of 11 | ENTRY LIST
Track Layout: 2.45-mile, 11-turn paved road course
Race Length: 51 laps/125 miles
• The Glen held its first NASCAR Camping World Series
East race in 1993.
• Road course racing began in 1948 in Watkins Glen, N.Y.
… The current permanent facility opened in 1956 and the
first professional race at the new track was a NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series event in 1957.
Eddie MacDonald Highlights (No. 71
Chevrolet)
• Has five wins and 42 top 10s in 114 career NCWSE
starts.
• Is currently third in the standings with three top 10s
in four starts.
• Has
completed 663 of 665 laps so far this year, the most
among all drivers.
• Suffered a blown engine at WGI last year and finished
27th.
• Best career road course finish was a third at WGI in
2003. |
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