D. McDonald Racing

D. McDonald Racing is owned by Rose-Alma (Dolly) McDonald. She is an entrepreneur of over 23 years as a writer, consultant and advocate for First Nations and Aboriginal rights. She is well known nationally and internationally for her advocacy efforts. As part of her Akwesasne roots and through her travels internationally she became interested in racing several years ago through a chance meeting at a convention with NASCAR recruiters in Albuquerque, NM where they were recruiting to train Native American race car drivers. Through that introduction Dolly became interested in the business of racing. She learned a lot about marketing, sponsorships and the financial aspect of racing from the recruiters she met. Over the past 4 years she has sponsored Lonewolf Racing’s website featuring her niece Claudia, (www.lonewolfracing.ca) Eugene, Jackie and Brad Tarbell.

Dolly McDonald attended races at the Mohawk International Raceway since 2006 as a spectator and supporter of Lonewolf Racing. By chance she saw a race car that she couldn’t pass up. She had the opportunity to test drive the car and did laps around the parking lot, and she said she loved driving it. She bought the car in May 2012, which solidified and personified the love she has for racing. Dolly is the only female owner of a race car.

Number 3M is a Bicknell Sportsman Modified with a 602 Crate Special Engine. The driver for D. McDonald Racing, Rick Miller, has motorcycle and stock car racing experience from New York State and Florida, and has 20 years experience racing competitively.

Dolly explained that this year they are just racing for fun because they got such a late start, and though the driver is experienced, for the pit crew and Dolly this season is a big learning experience. Driver Rick has done well though, he was 1st and 2nd in two qualifying races but in two separate features he rolled, and caught on fire and had two flat tires. Luckily he was not hurt, and Dolly has the perfect attitude saying, “But that’s racing!”

Although she is the only female owner of a race car, and she said racing is a man’s world, Dolly is proud to say that the racing family treats her like an equal. Everyone is very respectful and helpful, and she is treated no different on the track or in the pits.

Dolly exclaimed, “Everybody seems to think I can drive the car but me. I’ve been around racing a long time but it was a big leap to buy my own car. I grew up on a farm so I’m used to driving tractors and trucks, so when I told everyone that I bought a race car nobody was really surprised. They said ‘oh yeah, that’s Dolly.’”

She said she loved driving the car and people tell her to drive powder puff, but her car is too big. She said if she was going to get another car it would be smaller. Thought the car is really safe, Dolly said there is no way she could drive 80-100 mph!

About her first track experience as a race car owner Dolly said, “Racing is very addictive. It took me 4 days to come down, it was so exciting in the pits and there are people from all over.”

Dolly plans on racing next year. The guys already have plans for the car over the winter, maybe changing the body, and hopes to fill in the blank spots with sponsors.

Race fans are more likely to do business with a business that is sponsoring a race car. D. McDonald Racing is looking for sponsors to support 3M Dr. McDonald this season. Call Dolly at (518)-521-9031 or e-mail her at [email protected]