MACDONALD MAKING TRANSITION TO ASA TEAM OWNER
     PICTOU, N.S. - Rollie MacDonald's racing career has taken a different twist in the past couple of years. The Pictou businessman, a driver himself for over 30 years, teamed up with Canadian driver Scott Fraser "to see what would happen" in February 1999. Less than two years later, the duo, with MacDonald as team owner and Fraser as driver, are sitting ninth in the American Speed Association (ASA) point standings.      "It got to the point where the frustration outweighed the enjoyment," said MacDonald, owner of the ASA No. 00 King Freight Lines/ King Racing team. "We weren't winning any more as a driver. I wanted to stay in racing. I knew Scott had bigger goals than what he was doing in the Maritimes and I also knew that he was talented, so we put a team together and went to Florida for New Smyrna Speedway Speedweek in 1999."
     It was immediately apparent the MacDonald/Fraser partnership was a good one with several wins and pole positions earned as they competed against some of the best short track late model stock car racers in North America.
     "We looked at different avenues but finally decided on ASA in November of 1998," said MacDonald, 57. "With their central point being in the U.S. Midwest and us based out of Nova Scotia, we knew the logistics would be difficult, but we figured the benefits would outweigh the detriments."
     It has been those logistics that have proven to be the most difficult part of running an ASA race team.
     "We have a space in another team's shop that we use in North Carolina," said MacDonald. "That's been a help this first part of the season. But we have been travelling most of the crew from home (Nova Scotia). They've been doing a great job for us and we really wish we could keep them, but most of them start racing themselves next week. Without their help, we wouldn't be where we are at. They have really worked hard for us."
     Like his driver, MacDonald is satisfied with the team's 2001 performance, but won't be happy until they win.
     "That part of it is the same as when you're driving," said MacDonald. "Especially when you know you have the ability to win. We've got the team, the car, and the driver. We're not a high budget team but we're not cutting corners either. It's been a steeper learning curve this year than we expected."
     MacDonald began racing in 1965 and was still behind the wheel in 2000. His driving resume is impressive with two championships in Canadian touring series (MASCAR, 1984 and QASCAR, 1986) and hundreds of wins. He hasn't entirely ruled out driving in the future but is definite it won't be this year.
     "We are focused on the ASA program this year," said MacDonald. "We feel like the last three-quarter's of the season will be better than the first five races. We found some things last week at Cedar Rapids but it was too late to make any changes. We're looking forward to getting to Montgomery this weekend."
     MacDonald is President of King Freight Lines Limited, controlling 75 long haul tractors throughout Canada and the United States.
     The sixth event of the 20-race 2001 ASA schedule is this Sunday, the Actionline 300 at Montgomery Motor Speedway in Alabama. The race will be telecast live on TNN at 1 p.m. EDT.