By George Campbell
Wow, what a race.
Congrats to Eddie MacDonald & the Rollie Lachance led Grimm Racing Team. What a performance. They were dominant in the second half of the race, when they needed to be.
Eddie didn't use the cruise control to get this win either. He had steady pressure from many drivers through out the race. In the closing laps, Patrick Laperle chased Eddie down and ran door to door with him for a while. The two ran side by side, as the leaders did most of the race. Eddie was able to turn it up a notch and Laperle may have used up the tires catching him. Eddie won over $35,000.
There was three wide racing all night through out the entire field. There were three wide battles for the lead all night. Cars were racing successfully in all three grooves. Passing was going on for all positions in all areas of the track.
The racing in this year's TD Banknorth was some of the best I have seen in years, maybe ever. I don't recall that many cars racing three wide for that much of the race in previous races. The battles for the lead were amazing. Despite Eddie leading most of the closing laps, it appeared anyone of the top ten or twelve drivers had a legitimate shot through out the race.
Locals like Shawn Martin, Travis Adams and Travis Stearns were among the highly competitive young drivers that not only helped make this a tremendous race, they insured this event has a bright future. The same can be said of the many ACT racers, guys like Patrick Laperle, John Donahue, Chris Michaud and the Dragons. Some of the NASCAR veterans added name recognition and experience as they threatened to win, guys like Ben Rowe, Brad Leighton and Brian Hoar and of course the winner.
This race looked like a Talladega race at times, with groups of cars racing three wide, four deep at times. This was not a freight train race, with drivers settling in and running nose to bumper for endless laps. There were no sleeper laps in this one.
This was the sort of race that will make new fans and bring back fans that may have lost some interest. The late model teams put on a spectacular race and showcased their talents in front of one of the biggest crowds they will have in this part of the country. Any remaining doubts about the late models not being fun or interesting in this race were put to rest last night.
And the icing on the cake for MacDonald: He is now in the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is shaping up to be a great race.
Congrats to all the teams and the track for putting on a great race.
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Great Race
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. My brother and I are 30+ year veterans of the race now and this race left us saying "WOW" many times. I heard strangers behind saying, "This is incredible" and "Is it always like this?!?". For the first time EVER, I heard an ovation my section at the lap 129 caution for the tremendous three car race for the lead...at a CAUTION AT LAP 129! haha! Very exciting.
The heat races were solid excitement as well with the only snoozer being Doug Coombs victory in a last chance race.
Great to see you on Saturday. I hope to have my recap up in a day or two.
Mark
Eddie McDonald is one of the best short track drivers in the Northeast. That team does so much with no budget in both the CWES and ACT.
ReplyDeleteWatch out Loudon Eddie MAC looking to sweep.
The race by far was the best I'd seen in years so many competitve cars went home, too.
Congrats again to Eddie and Rollie and their entire team.
I say look out at Loudon. I did not go so can,t make any race comments. My only comment is I think its time to re-think the guest driver thing.
ReplyDeleteI was late for work today, luckily my boss was at the race too, so it was OK. All we talked about was what a great race it was. This was my 4th 250, and it was the best yet. Next year Adams or Martin will win
ReplyDeleteAWESOME RACE didn't need the Wallaces in it though, rather have locals get the spots
ReplyDeleteThis race put the final nail in the coffin of the prostock latemodel debate
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a great race, like others have said here. I had somebody sitting beside me at the race that commented several times how much he wished the pro cars were here instead. I didn't get into it with him, but I couldn't help but notice how much he and his buddy enjoyed the race. They said it several times during the race. During the qualifying races they complained how much slower these cars were. I can't see any difference. I didn't talk to them after, but they certainly enjoyed the race and didn't complain after. I don't care what they put on the track if the racing is this good.
ReplyDeleteJohn S.