Eddie MacDonald is bringing a winner out West. The NASCAR Camping World Series East veteran is bringing his top ride to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in two weeks — the car he piloted to a season sweep in 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
MacDonald is hoping the speed he found on the Magic Mile will translate to the multi-grooved, high-speed half-mile of the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.
“That’s definitely our best car,” MacDonald said. “I’m really excited to go out there.
“With (crew chief) Rollie (LaChance) doing all the setups, we should be pretty good.”
It was the win at New Hampshire in June that locked the Rowley, Mass., native into the 40-car starting field at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
Race winners of NASCAR Camping World Series events and champions of each of NASCAR’s seven developmental series earn secured spots in the race.
Kobyluck, Dillon, Trevor Bayne, MacDonald, Peyton Sellers, Brian Ickler, Aric Almirola, Eric Holmes, Jason Bowles, Jeff Barkshire, Mike David, Todd Souza and Jason Fensler won NASCAR Camping World Series races.
In addition, Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series), Antonio Perez (NASCAR Mexico Series), Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Brian Loftin (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour) won championships. Kobyluck and Holmes won the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West, respectively.
As of Friday afternoon, 52 drivers had submitted entries for the 250-lap NASCAR Camping World Series East race.
Knowing he’s going to be in the show before he even puts the truck in gear in New England is a big relief for MacDonald. But he knows he’ll have his hands full when he gets to California.
In addition to the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West regulars, three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. and defending event winner Joey Logano are also entered into the event.
“It’s tough anytime you get these cars to go fast, it doesn’t matter who you’re racing,” said MacDonald. “But having all those guys in the field makes it a lot more challenging.”
This will be MacDonald’s fifth trip to Irwindale. He recorded his best finish in 2007 with a fifth. He was also sixth in the inaugural event in 2003.
He’ll be returning with the No. 71 Chevrolet, backed by car owner Rob Grimm and sponsor Grimm Construction. They also received sponsorship support for this event from New England Mechanical Overlay.
