The significance of the Marion County half-mile oval is something that’s not lost on Macedo, a fourth-generation driver and former King of the West sprint car champion in California.

“Knoxville is a track where everything has to go right if you want to win,” he pointed out. “They don’t call it ‘The Sprint Car Capital of the World’ for nothing. Not to mention, it’s a track where your equipment matters a lot. It’s a big track, so your motor has to run, your car has to be close and the driver has to do their job, as well.

“I know that in this situation, I have all the tools I need to be successful; I just have to go there and do my part. I know a lot of people will have their eyes on this team because of what he was able to accomplish and my hope is that we can go there and make him proud.”

While Macedo has never driven a 360ci sprint car at Knoxville, he spent plenty of time during his early career out west racing winged 360s, and thus knows that this weekend’s 360 Nationals will be a different animal compared to ‘The Granddaddy of Them All’ on Aug. 8-11.

“I’m not sure what the challenges will be between the two weekends, because of never having run a 360 at Knoxville, but the good news is that I do have all the 360 racing from when I was back home in California to lean on,” noted Macedo. “I have a pretty good idea … the race car’s just underpowered a bit and you have to drive the 360s a little bit freer than what you can the 410s to make the same kind of speed.

“For me, the 360 Nationals is an opportunity for Philip and I to be able to work together and get some laps together, and hopefully learn what each of us likes in a race car,” he continued. “Hopefully, by the time the Capitani (Classic) rolls around, we’re clicking on all cylinders and moving in the right direction.”

Macedo has not yet been able to interact with Bobbi Johnson and Dietz in person yet. His first chance for that will come over the next three days as they work together to tackle the 360 Nationals.

“I’ve been able to talk to them some over the phone,” he confirmed. “I spoke with Bobbi after everything got finalized and thanked her for the opportunity, and then we sat and talked for a while after that … just about the past and what this means as a team. Bobbi’s a great person, so it’s easy to have a conversation with her.

“As far as Philip, I’ve worked with him some already on designs and just the little things that it takes to bring a race team to Knoxville,” Macedo noted. “From everything I can gather, this deal is bringing a lot of joy to their lives, and that’s something I’m grateful for and proud of.”

Don’t expect Macedo to change his normal driving approach, either, just because of the car he’s in.

“No matter what race car I’m in, to run up front and make the Nationals A-main would be a huge accomplishment for me,” said Macedo, whose only prior Nationals attempt was one year ago for owner Joe Gaerte. “With the circumstances I’m in this year … I think if we can put together a good run over the next two weeks it will make a lot of people excited to see us run well.

“I’m really not going to do anything different than I normally do; I’m just going to show up and do my job like always. I’m going to drive as hard as I can, and whatever happens, happens,” he stated. “Don’t get me wrong, it would be amazing to go out and have a huge Nationals week, but it’s going to be whatever it’s going to be so I’m just going to focus on what I can do from the seat and let the rest happen however it happens.

“I’m honored to be in this position and couldn’t be more ready to get it all underway.”