Macdonald's come from behind win!
Monday May 7, 2007

The "things with wings" ventured to Kingaroy Speedway on Sunday night (6th May) in support of the Kingaroy Show.  The racing all night was clean and fast and by far the standout racing class of the night.  Nathan Macdonald was to start from pole position in the 15 lap final, but was given the opportunity to start at the rear of the field by the track promoter, and if he come through to take the win, would pocket an extra $100.  Macdonald took up the challenge and managed to pull it off, making his way into the lead on the final lap, in what was a race that had the very appreciative crowd all on their feet.

The racing started off at around 7pm, with the first heat being greasy around half of the track.  With an all Lester front row, (brother Mark & Darran), Darran got off to a great start, as he lead the race from start to finish.  Shane Hollyman put his car into 2nd place behind Lester after starting from position 4.   Nathan Macdonald made his way into 4th place from 8th on the grid, when new comer to the class Steven Love in his Ford Cortina hit the fence hard which done some major damage to the front of the car, forcing him out for the night.  On the restart Darran Lester went on to win the heat, with Shane Hollyman 2nd, followed by Stewart Fricker in 3rd, who has shown a vast amount of speed in his Cortina of late.  Nathan Macdonald come across for 4th with Mark Lester 5th.

Heat two came and there was a light sprinkle of water put on the low line.  Troy Richards and Anthony Pearce were off the front row, followed by Shane Hollyman, Mark Lester and Nathan Macdonald. Anthony Pearce led the field away, as Steve Conway in his Torana moved high to charge to the lead around the outside, closely followed by Nathan Macdonald.  The racing provided 2 and 3 wide racing.  Macdonald then made his move on the outside of Conway into the lead around turn 1.  Macdonald continued on to open up a handy lead over the rest of the field.  The ever hard charging Shane Hollyman found his way into 3rd place while Conway held onto 2nd.  Darran Lester pulled out of the race after engine problems which saw him retire for the night.

Nathan Macdonald was the man off of pole for heat three, with Steve Conway on the outside.  Macdonald let the V8 fly and drove into the lead ahead of Conway.  Shane Hollyman continued his need for speed, chasing down the field from position six, making his way around the outside of Conway and into 2nd behind Macdonald.  Macdonald had already opened up a lead as Hollyman couldn't chase down the Queensland Champion.  Macdonald won heat 3 from Shane Hollyman, Steve Conway, Troy Richards, Craig Hay, Mark Lester and Stewart Fricker.

With a 4th and two wins to his name in the heats, Nathan Macdonald would be the highest point scorer starting from pole position.  Macdonald was motioned to the infield after the heat and was met with the commentator Travis Barron, who gave Macdonald the chance to forfeit his qualifying points, to start from the rear of the field in the final, and if he wins the event, will hand over an extra $100!  Macdonald couldn't pass up the opportunity and said "I'll do anything for money!".  So the challenge was set.  With 11 cars starting the night, the field was down to 8, which would be a challenge in itself passing cars on the tight Kingaroy circuit in the final.

With Macdonald at the rear, this put Shane Hollyman in pole position, with Steve Conway out of position 2, followed by Stewart Fricker, Troy Richards, Mark Lester, Anthony Pearce, Craig Hay and Nathan Macdonald.  As the green flag waved on the 15 lap feature, Macdonald didn't hesitate to take advantage of the tight field to make some passes before the field spread out.  Shane Hollyman lead the field from Conway and Stewart Fricker.  Macdonald got the high line to work for his car, passing several cars on the outside.  Macdonald had moved into 3rd place on lap 3, then finding a way past Steve Conway into 2nd.  Macdonald started to chase down Shane Hollyman out in front, as he slowly gained ground on Hollyman each lap.  Macdonald was now right on the tail of Hollyman, trying every route on the track to find a way past.  Nathan made several attempts up the inside but had to back out, then looked to the outside the but couldn't make it stick as the track was starting to dry out. As Hollyman put on a tremendous race, making Macdonald work every bit for the win.  In what was the final lap, Hollyman ran a little high in turn 1, as they come to the back of a lapped car.  Macdonald saw the opportunity and duck down the inside up the straight, the two cars were neck and neck into turn 2 rubbing wheels and swapping paint, but it was Macdonald who come out in front up the back straight to greet the checkered flag.  Hollyman crossed in 2nd with Steve Conway 3rd, followed by Stewart Fricker, Mark Lester, Craig Hay, Troy Richards and Anthony Pearce. 

The Kingaroy crowd was on a high after witnessing one of the best races of the night, and one of the best for East Coast A Grade all season.  The reversal of the grid for the highest point scorer and a cash incentive provided for some excellent racing, as the crowd stood on their feet to acknowledge the racing as Macdonald took the checkered flag around, the whole crowd was cheering and waving. 

Kingaroy has been a happy hunting ground for Macdonald, after venturing to the venue three times this season and winning all three feature races.

Nathan will now have a short break as he prepares for his next hit-out, the Australian Title for East Coast A Grade at Grafton Speedway on the 26th May.

Keep checking back to www.macdonaldracing.com as more videos will be uploaded during the week.