Donald McIntosh
With all the “silly season” news that has circulated during this 2018-19 off-season there has been one revelation that has flown somewhat under the radar. Donald McIntosh has returned to Blount Motorsports for a second stint as the driver of the Larry Garner-owned operation. The Dawsonville, GA native left BMS following the 2017 season in hopes of competing full-time on a national touring series while BMS brought in veteran driver Casey Roberts to steer the organization’s Rocket Chassis/Vic Hill Racing Engines ride.
McIntosh began driving for Blount Motorsports near the end of the 2014 season and remained in the seat through 2017. During that time he won the 2016 and 2017 Spring Nationals championships along with the Southern Nationals Bonus Series title in 2017. The No. 7 car pulled into victory lane a total of 18 times during McIntosh’s first run as the team’s driver.
Blount Motorsports did earn a Southern Nationals championship and a $10,000 triumph in the Tar Heel 50 at Tri-County Race Track with Roberts behind the wheel. But BMS and Roberts parted ways following a pair of top-15 efforts in the World of Outlaws World Finals back in November at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
The reunification has already begun as McIntosh returned to the team for the Leftover event held at 411 Motor Speedway on the weekend after Thanksgiving. After winning his heat race, McIntosh was forced to settle for a 15th place result in the Iron-Man Series sanctioned feature due to mechanical issues.
Donald McIntosh at the Leftover at 411
McIntosh declared the effort a success despite the troubles. He and crew chief David Bryant quickly found the chemistry they have shared since 2014.
“I was a little apprehensive before going up to 411 not knowing exactly how things would unfold at the track, but after about 20 minutes in the pits every thing was fine,” McIntosh said in a Blount Motorsports press release. “David and I were back on the same page. All of us get along, and for the most part, David and I agree on the car. When we aren’t on the same page, it doesn’t take much to get there.”
McIntosh talking with BMS crew chief David Bryant.
McIntosh added that he believes the pairing will be able to add to the win totals they have already achieved.
“I am really excited about the upcoming season,” the 25-year-old driver insisted. “I think that we can win some races and have a good time doing it.”
For his part Bryant also believes that he and McIntosh can again find the winning formula.
“Donald had a good three years at BMS and made a lot of progress as a driver and with the cars,” the proven crew chief pointed out. “We worked well together then, and after a year off, we clicked well up at 411 for the Leftover deal. So basically all we have to do is slap a seven on the car and off we go.”
If the key players at Blount Motorsports can find the same mojo they once had, as it appears they may already have, this team will be difficult to beat whenever it rolls through the gates at tracks around the southeast region in 2019.
McIntosh and Blount Motorsports crew will be in action in the Hangover at 411 Motor Speedway on December 29th. They have combined to win that race twice.
