The Record
SHEDIAC - For Springhill resident Justin MacDonald, Aug. 22 may well live in his memory for a long time. The rookie driver in the "Four Fun" class at Centre for Speed swept to victory in convincing style in the semi final race at the Shediac facility on Sunday.
The victory was the first in his short career and left the young man almost shocked at the outcome. Every driver knows that he will win his first race at some point, but in Justin's case, it came very early in his career.
"That was awesome, it was the best ever," MacDonald said. "It's very hard to lead. With them chasing you, you're just waiting to make a mistake. You know they'll be right on you. It's a mind game actually."
Well, rookie or not, mistakes or not, Justin MacDonald now has that all-important first win under his belt, but rest assured, it will not be his last.
Justin was asked how he got his start in racing?
"I used to be on the pit crew for the # 39 Pro Stock for a while," MacDonald said. "I used to travel around with him and got into racing that way. Then I decided to get my own car. And drive it myself, so here we are."
As for his number, MacDonald said, "It's the lucky number 7 and that's about why I picked it".
MacDonald, with no crew and working by himself, has only one sponsor at the moment.
"My only sponsor right now is my dad, Warren MacDonald and Son Garage," MacDonald said. "When I move up I'll look for more (sponsors) then. After I've been in this a while longer, and get better at it, and win a few races, I think I'll probably move up to a Sportsman."
MacDonald saw an accident a couple of weeks ago when he was on the track, but believes the sport is safe.
A car spun out on the track and hit the wall but I haven't seen any real bad accidents yet," he said. "Once at Scotia, a Legend got up on another's wheel and went into the air for a bit. It looked a little scary. But everybody was OK. We don't want to see anyone get hurt.
"The safety is pretty good, if you do what you're supposed to do and what they tell you to do, you'll be ok."
MacDonald's goal right now is to take it one lap at a time.
"I just hope to get the day in and finish all seventy five laps," he said.
