David Mercer quickly put his crew chief hat back on as he got to the track and began to make adjustments to the car based on data that the crew had gathered all day and the driver's feedback after the day's practice sessions. As they typical are, the adjustments that were made were just what Mercer needed to make the setup to his liking and Mercer proved that by pulling out in qualifying and setting the fast time, winning the pole for the night's race.

On the initial start Mercer's front row companion Kyle Mansch got the jump on him and took the lead forcing Mercer to settle for running second for the opening circuits. Mercer's car felt and looked strong as he was able to keep pace and stay right on Mansch's bumper with relative ease. While Mercer did make a few minor looks to the inside for the lead inside the first 20 laps he realized Mansch was running a much harder pace than he wanted to run so he choose to stay in second and apply pressure.

After 20 laps the pace began to fall off enough that Mercer felt it was time to start wondering up top and working on the high side of the track. The car began to be very fast on the top side, at times even faster than it had been in the low groove. But Mansch saw Mercer's move to the top side and immediately moved his own car up in an effort to stunt Mercer's progress. Mercer went back to his pressure application strategy and began to move his own car up even higher on the track surface into what he has began to call the "fourth groove."

Within 10 laps to go in the race, Mercer was able to pull alongside Mansch for the lead and keep position on the exit of turn 2. Mercer used his momentum off the corner and down the back straight to clear Mansch and take over the lead for the first time in the event. After clearing Mansch, Mercer continued to run his line on the high side and continued to pull away from Mansch eventually growing his lead up to a full straightaway margin by the end of the race.

"It was a great day both for me and for Mercer Race Car Engineering with David having 2 victories as crew chief for two different drivers at two completely different tracks all in the same day," said Mercer after the race.

Andy Mercer and his Mercer Racing team will return to Hickory Motor Speedway on May 29th following an off week this coming weekend to continue his campaign for a second straight Late Model Stock track championship. Mercer has moved himself into second place in points right behind Kyle Mansch by only 10 points after seven races.
  
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