The rain would subside and cars would take to the track as the low groove had dried off but higher up on the track where Mercer often prefers to run there was still some water weeping from the asphalt. None the less they went green for 100 laps of racing action with Mercer battling for the lead on the outside but being unable to make the pass eventually falling back to third place.
 
As the race went on Mercer continued to run in the third position unable to make a pass as there was still some rain falling on the speedway only allowing one groove on the track to remain completely dry. On a restart with 40 laps to go, Mercer chose to start on the outside placing him back in second before being shuffled back to third as he had at the initial start of the race.
 
As the race went on Mercer decided to commit to his high line and just run the line until it dried out. With 25 laps left in the race the groove started to come in for Mercer enabling him to run his usual pace and begin to track down the leaders. On lap 84, Mercer used the high line to take over the top spot on the leader board for the first time of the evening and never look back. By the end of the race Mercer had opened almost a full straightaway lead over second winning his sixth race at Hickory of the season.
 
“It was one of the more challenging races I have ever ran because of all the wet conditions,” said Mercer after the race. “There was very little margin for error.” With the win and Kyle Mansch finishing fifth, Mercer was able to extend his current lead in the track championship points to 16 with nine races left in the season.
 
Andy Mercer will be back in action this Saturday with a 50 lap event for the Late Model Stocks at Hickory Motor Speedway. 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 atwww.ReliableFireandSafety.com