GRIMM RACING

JAN 29th-30th, 2010

MACDONALD REBOUNDS FOR EIGHTH PLACE FINISH
AT THE ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN

The seventh running of the Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, California did not start out as planned for the Grimm Construction Chevy. After struggling through both practices and a disappointing qualifying run, the team rebounded to finish a respectable eighth place. Eddie MacDonald, driving in the newly sponsored K&N Pro Series, battled back from as far back as 23rd position to post the satisfying finish.

"We really struggled in practice to get the right set-up and we never quite got it," said MacDonald after the race. "We tried four different set ups but the car just did not get any better. It was frustrating for everyone but Rollie and the crew kept working on it. With the cars impounded after
qualifying, we planned to go out for the first 100 lap segment, see what the car needed, then make adjustments during the ten minute break."

The first practice only produced a 31st fastest time and after more adjustments, Eddie Mac was only able to improve four positions in the second practice with a time of 19.314 seconds. In qualifying, the Rowley, Mass. driver shaved off over six tenths of a second with a time of 18.711 sec. to earn the 17th starting positions on the grid.

However, when the green flag waved, MacDonald slipped back into the 23rd spot before the mandatory caution flag waved on lap 98 with Eddie Mac saying, "The car was horrible. It just wouldn't turn in the corners and it was bouncing all over the place. It was too bad we couldn't change front
shocks because that would have made all the difference. Instead we made a number of small adjustments and the car was a lot better after the break. It was still bouncing but not nearly as bad as it was before the break. Rollie and the guys got the car much better in the turns and we were able to pass some cars. Now we were going forward instead of going backwards."

After the lap 103 restart, MacDonald gained ten positions by the time the caution flag flew on lap 128. Three more of the fourteen total caution flags did not allow enough continuous green flag laps to get the momentum going to pass more cars. A red flag on lap 145 further cooled the chances for the #71
to mount a charge. By the second mandatory break on lap 201, MacDonald was in eighth place and geared up for the final 25 laps.

"The way the car was handling by then I thought we could get a couple of more spots but there weren't enough green flag laps in the final 25 laps because of the two cautions. We lost the momentum we had before the break. The yellow flags killed any chance for us to move up. We expected a better finish but after the start we had, finishing eighth isn't too bad. We are not thrilled but it was decent considering everything."

"I have to thank team owner Rob Grimm, Rollie and the crew for all the hard work. They just never give up. The trip requires a lot and we couldn't do it without the support of our sponsors who have helped us through the years. Of course, Grimm Construction, Waymart Building Center, R.B. Fries, NEMO-New England Mechanical Overlay, Racing with Jesus, Hanover Place, Hancock Electric, Bethel Woods, and HMS Motorsports have been there for us and we greatly appreciate it. This has been a lot of fun and we can't wait for our first points' race at Greenville Pickens Speedway on March 27th."



*Photos by Richard Casey*

MACDONALD LOOKS FOR WIN AT IRWINDALE

MACDONALD READY FOR THE TOYOTA ALL-STAR
SHOWDOWN JAN 29-30, 2010

After posting a successful 2009 finish in the NASCAR Camping World East Series, Eddie MacDonald and his Grimm Racing Team would like nothing better than to begin the 2010 racing campaign with a victory at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. By virtue of the September win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, MacDonald is guaranteed a starting position in the seventh running of NASCAR’S Toyota All-Star Showdown in January in the Grimm Construction Chevy.

However, the ten year series’ veteran knows there is a lot more than just getting in the race saying, “It is great that we are guaranteed a starting spot but that doesn’t mean anything when the race starts. We have been preparing for this race since the end of the season and we are really excited about our chances to win it all this year. The car that we finished in fifth place two years ago at Irwindale is nearly ready to go. We will look at the notes and come up with some new adjustments that will hopefully get us up front for the race.”

The 225 lap event attracts the best racers from the East and West Series, as well as, the champions from NASCAR’s six regional series and The Whelen All-American Series National Champion. MacDonald knows nothing short of perfection is going to be needed to win the event saying, “The level of completion is fantastic. We are racing with some of the best short track drivers in the country. Everyone will be out to prove that they are the best right from the start. We would like to run up front for the first two hundred laps and stay out of trouble but on that track it won’t be easy. If your car is set up right you can run the bottom and pass people. The track has so many grooves you can run anywhere but you can pass cars on the bottom.”

This is the third full season with Grimm Racing and MacDonald expects great things this season saying, “Everything is on schedule. Rob continues to provide us with the equipment and support to win.
The crew remains the same over the last two years with Rollie calling the shots so things work very smoothly. We know that we have a chance to win every time we race and that keeps everyone pumped up. With this race in January, it keeps us busy all winter and ready for the start of the 2010 season just a couple of months later.”

Just as the crew has been with the team since its inception the list of sponsors will again provide the necessary support that makes any team a success. Waymart Building Center, NEMO, A&B Vending, R.B. Fries Inc., HMS Motorsports, and Hanover Place will again be on board for the 2010 campaign.

“We are all excited to get out there and race. Irwindale is such a great track to run on. They call this 'The Daytona 500 of Short Track Racing' and in many ways it is. It kicks off our season and a win there
will really start things off on a fantastic note. The fact Speed Channel covers the race live gives our fans and the country a chance to see what super drivers we have in our series. It should be fun and we hope to be in Victory Lane at the end.”

Speed will televise both nights of racing on January 29-30 that will include qualifying, a last chance 50 lap race, plus a 100-lap Super Late Model and 75-lap late Model races.