made worked very well making it easier for Mercer to begin making his way towards the lead. By lap 38 Mercer found himself fighting with Matt McCall for the lead side by side until he eventually won the battle taking over the lead on lap 41. Mercer would lead on until a caution appeared on lap 73 for a spin in turn 3. On the restart McCall would not give Mercer much room, pushing him up the track into the marbles.
 
After that, Mercer decided it would be best to relax for a bit and run in second and make a run at McCall for the lead later in the race as although the race was a big one with much more money on the line, it was still a points race for Mercer. So while other drivers began to drive harder and harder as the race went on, Mercer continued to ride at a more conservative pace, waiting for after the break on lap 150 to make his move. Unfortunately, Mercer’s evening would take another turn for the worse on lap 127 as some contact between himself and Coleman Pressley would cut the valve steam on the left rear tire causing it to go flat.
 
Soon after the contact created the flat tire Mercer would go for a spin but was lucky enough to avoid any contact from other cars. Under the caution, Mercer was able to pull his car down pit road to the attention of his crew without losing a lap to the leader and restart in the 19th position with 50 laps left in the race. Mercer would make great use of every lap and the break for adjustments on lap 150 to be able to make a charge back up through the field. But there just wasn’t enough time left for Mercer as he would be able to climb back up into the third spot but without enough time or tires left he would be unable to make another challenge for the win.
 
“All in all it was a good night,” said Mercer. “We opened up a few more points over second place and didn’t tear up much equipment in the process. It wasn’t the win that we were looking for but after overcoming more bad luck we will take it.”
 
“I don’t really understand what the deal was with McCall,” said Mercer thinking back on the contact with McCall for the lead back in the first half of the race. “I haven’t driven him that way but now I understand how he races and maybe things will be a bit different next time around.”
 
Andy Mercer will continue his quest for another Hickory Motor Speedway track championship this Saturday in a 100 lap event for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks. Mercer Racing is supported by Steele Rubber Products, LP Gear, Reliable Fire and Safety, Mercer Race Car Engineering, Pistone LTO, WP Racing Shocks, Harrington Race Engines, Draco, RACE22.com, Dirt Wrap, Continental Cabinents Inc., Race Com, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Ultra-Pro Synthetics.
 
To stay up to date with Mercer Racing please visit their website at www.mercerracing.com or contact RACE22.com Driver Management at (276) 613-4208.
 
About Steele Rubber Products
Steele Rubber Products is located in Denver, North Carolina. Our company manufactures and provides only the highest quality rubber parts and weatherstripping for classic cars, trucks and street rods. Steele was founded on a simple philosophy; it is less costly to "do it right the first time" than to buy inferior products that won't stand up over time or meet our customer's high expectations. For more visit www.steelerubber.com or www.springrubber.com

About Reliable Fire & Safety
Based in Gastonia, NC, Reliable Fire & Safety offers fire extinguisher sales and service, restaurant and industrial fire suppression systems, as well as emergency light testing and repair. View the full line of Safety Supplies and Services at www.ReliableFireandSafety.com