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Fresh off First Win of 2023, McDonald Coming into His Own in Pure Stocks Division at 5 Flags

Fresh off First Win of 2023, McDonald Coming into His Own in Pure Stocks Division at 5 Flags

By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter

One image permeates through when Colby McDonald closes his eyes and dreams about short-track glory.
The 31-year-old Semmes, Ala., driver can picture his name immortalized forever as one of Five Flags Speedway’s annual track champions.
“That’s the goal,” McDonald said plainly. “This has always been a dream of mine and the opportunity has now presented itself.”
McDonald is well on his way to accomplishing that goal after a red-hot start to the Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks season at Five Flags. He won the most recent 25-lap feature last month and looks to go back-to-back Friday night at the famed half-mile asphalt oval when the Pure Stocks return for a 20-lapper.

The Pure Stocks will be joined by the Allen Turner Pro Late Models in their first 100-lapper of the season, as well as The Dock on Pensacola Beach Sportsmen (25) and the Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stocks (15).
Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday with qualifying set for 6 and racing getting underway at 8. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, military and students; and $5 for children ages 6-11.
McDonald is in his first full season competing at Five Flags and only in his second season of racing overall. He ran the entire schedule at Mobile International Speedway last year with just a handful of races at Pensacola’s high banks.

“I’m learning a lot about driving your own race and staying outta the mirror,” McDonald said. “I learned that lesson the hard way. In my first race at MIS last year, I was leading with a couple laps to go. I looked in the mirror, made a mistake and finished second.
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He didn’t make that same error at the Night of Champions last September at Five Flags. Stalking eventual track champion Robert Loper around the speedway for most of the night, McDonald was in the right place at the right time when Loper stunningly experienced mechanical failure.

“I learned a lot because (Loper) drove such a different line,” McDonald said. “I couldn’t dream it any better, as I passed him on the last lap for the win.
“I’ve learned to take the wins in stride because they can come far apart if you ain’t careful. “Any time you can get a win—regardless of if it’s Pure Stocks or Late Models—at Five Flags, it’s such a prestigious place and everyone feels just as special.”

He has been around racing most of his life, first helping John Thompson with setups and then continuing on with Grant Thompson, John’s son, a few years ago. McDonald has also formed a close-knit bond with fellow drivers Dylan Courtney and Darryl McDonald along with their families.

McDonald and Courtney have started their own racing team and can often be found working on each other’s cars. In fact, when McDonald was out of town for work last month, it was Courtney and his father who set the car up before McDonald’s winning run last month. McDonald is a track foreman for CSX and estimates he travels four days a week between Birmingham and New Orleans.
“I just showed up at the track and drove it,” McDonald said. “I’m thankful to Dylan because the setup was perfect.

“This was the first weekend where I just left it in the trailer. If it it’s working, I’m afraid to change anything.”

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