NAPA 250 – White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) – 9/16/18

Last updated: September 17, 2018 at 18:05 pm
(Updated throughout the day – Be sure to refresh this page frequently)

Eddie MacDonald holds the $10,000 check in White Mountain victory lane. (Speed51.com photo)

What Won the Race: Eddie MacDonald powered to the inside of Scott Payea on Lap 193 and held onto the lead through the final 57 laps to win the inaugural NAPA 250.  MacDonald picked up a $10,000 check and a big trophy for the win.

The Finish: 

The Skinny: Alex Guenette jumped out to the early lead before Quinny Welch took over the lead on Lap 9.  Welch led until Lap 71 when Joey Pole stuck a nose out in front at the line, but Welch fought back to reclaim the lead on Lap 72.  Jonathan Bouvrette took over the lead on Lap 87 and led until a Lap 117 restart when Welch retook the lead once again.  Welch led the way until Lap 155 when he visited pit road for four fresh tires, but he wasn’t a factor upon returning to the race track.  Nick Sweet inherited the lead on Lap 156 and led until Lap 174 when Scott Payea nipped him at the line.  The two drivers swapped the lead until Payea took control on Lap 184.  Payea then held onto the top spot until Lap 193 when Eddie MacDonald took the lead for good.

Winning Quote: “We definitely needed this.  We haven’t quite had the year we were hoping for this year but this definitely helps out.” – Eddie MacDonald

Winning Crew Chief: Rollie Lachance

Winning Chassis: Dale Shaw Racecars

Winning Shocks: Koni

Winning Engine: Butler MacMaster

On the Move: Eddie MacDonald started 25th after needing to race his way into the race through the B-Main and charged to victory lane, a gain of 25 positions.

Biggest Loser: Bryan Mason started ninth after a strong run in his qualifying race but finished 26th, a loss of 17 positions.

Pre-Feature Notebook: 

-After finishing second in last night’s PASS North 150, Joey Pole will be looking to do one spot better and win the $10,000 today.

-Current PASS North points leader DJ Shaw will be piloting the No. 04VT Late Model today.

-A strong contingent of drivers from Quebec have made the trip across the border.  Alex Guenette, Jonathan Bouvrette, Mathieu Kingsbury, Patrick Laperle and Claud Leclerc will be representing our friends to the north.

-Alex Guenette was fastest in the final round of Late Model practice. He was the only driver to crack the 14-second mark, recording a fast lap of 12.955 seconds.

-Scott Payea was disqualified (too wide) after finishing second in his qualifying heat. He’ll be forced to race his way in through a consolation race.

-Eddie MacDonald was disqualified (weight infraction) from the second consolation race and will also head to the B-Main.

Starting Lineup:

Heat Race Results:

Heat 1 Unofficial Results (Top Four Transfer)

Heat Race Lineups:

Heat 1

Heat 2

Consolation Race Results:

Consi #1 Unofficial Results (Top Five Transfer)

Consolation Race Lineups:

Consi #1

Heat #2

B-Main Results:

Unofficial Results (Top Eight Transfer)

B-Main Lineup: 

Car Count: 33 ACT-type Late Models are in the pit area.

Entry List: 

Qualifying Format: There will be three 15-lap qualifying race, each qualifying four to the plus/minus (passing points). There will then be two 15-lap consolation races, each qualifying five to the plus/minus.  A 15-lap B-Feature will set the remainder of the field, with the top-six finishers qualifying to the rear of the field.  Provisionals are available to both Jimmy Hebert and Jesse Switser, who both won races at White Mountain to lock themselves into today’s race.

Event Schedule: Today will be a jam-packed day of action with qualifying heats beginning at noon.  Qualifying heats will be run for the Late Models, Mini Stocks and Legends.  There will also be consolation races and a B-Main for Late Models mixed in with the Mini Stock and Legends features.  The second 75-lap Tiger segment will be completed before a 30-minute Monster Truck show.  All that leads into the inaugural $10,000-to-win NAPA 250.

Who to Watch For: You can’t watch a race at White Mountain without keeping an eye on seven-time track champion Quinny Welch.  He’ll be looking to defend his home turf against a stout field of invaders including ACT championship contenders Scott Payea, Eddie MacDonald and Jimmy Hebert.  A strong contingent of Thunder Road drivers including Nick Sweet, Scott Dragon, Jason Corliss and Cody Blake will also be tough to beat.

Title Fight: Today’s race is not a points-counting race for any series or the race track.

The Track: White Mountain Motorsports is a quarter-mile, high-banked oval located in North Woodstock, New Hampshire.

Weather: It’s a picture-perfect day for racing with temperatures in the low to mid 80s and blue skies above the race track.