And Daddy Merchant Makes Two

And Daddy Merchant Makes Two

Magnolia, Mississippi (February 23, 2002) - Kenny Merchant, a daddy for the second time on Wednesday, became a two-time winner on the 2002 O'Reilly SUPR Late Model circuit Saturday night winning an exciting duel with Rodney Wing to claim both nights of the Mardi Gras Nationals. The duo battled right from the drop of the green flag of the 50-lap feature. Merchant led the first 7 laps of the feature only to be overtaken on the 8th lap by Rodney Wing. Wing held to top spot until lap 22 when Merchant took back the point with a low side move coming off turn 2. Wing hung tough battling by once again on lap 35 but Merchant was not to be denied as he led the remaining 15 laps to claim the checkers.

Merchant, who topped a similar duel with Wing in the opening night show, stated that Wing made him earn it tonight. “My car was neutral again tonight and this time Wing’s car didn’t fade at the end. It’s fun to race like that; going side-by-side with a driver that you know won’t go into the corner and take you out of the race. I was no better than Rodney tonight.”

Merchant shot to the lead in his J.D. Caver/Goddard Performance Kuntz & Company-powered Ford Mustang at the start and he felt his car was real good on the bottom. Once he was passed by Wing, he began to hunt for a better line. The cat and mouse game continued right to checkers.

Merchant, whose wife Wendy gave birth to their second child Ben on Wednesday night, just keeps winning at Pike County Speedway. Kenny recorded his 4th victory in the last 5 O’Reilly SUPR Late Model races at Pike County Speedway. Merchant has always been a fan of Pike County and he has always enjoyed running the 3/8ths mile facility. “I’ve always liked coming here. I like the track, I like the owner Donny Smith, it’s not far from home and I seem to run well here.”

Rodney Wing, driving the B&K Underground/Boland Performance/Styling Signs & Decals Keith Craft Powered Chevy Monte Carlo started third but quickly moved into to second place by lap 2 and then battled side-by-side with Merchant on several occasions throughout the race. Wing, another driver who has taken a liking to the Southwest Mississippi speedway, recording 4 of his 5 career O’Reilly SUPR Late Model victories at Pike County.

Mike Boland was a step behind the lead duo that set a blistering pace but was able to retake third place with a last lap move by Chris Wall. Boland driving the Boland Performance/Ware Construction/Xtreme Graphix Keith Craft powered Ford Taurus, missed the first night of competition but quickly showed his abilities by dominating his heat race.

Kenny Merchant powered the JD Caver/Kuntz and Company Ford Mustang to the B&K Underground Top Qualifier pole position winning his heat after starting in the 5th position and earned an extra $200 bonus as both B&K Underground Directional Boring and Wall 2 Wall Performance Engines posted a Top Qualifier bonus.

47 O'Reilly SUPR Late Models were on hand for the second night in a row.

Heat winners were Bubba Mullins, Mike Boland, Ryan Plaisance, Rodney Wing, Kenny Merchant and Tommy Surrett. Last chance winners were Rob Litton and Kelly Boen.

Official Results:

1.Kenny Merchant

2.Rodney Wing

3.Mike Boland

4.Chris Wall

5.Bubba Mullins

6.David Ashley

7. Ryan Plaisance

8. Rob Litton

9. Sam Patrick

10. Kerry Vicknair

11. James Ward

12. Scott Dedwylder

13. Marlon Wild

14. Curt Lipsey

15. Jon Mitchell

16. Eric Courville

17. Steve Russell

18. Keith Craft

19. Mike Sibley

20. Kelly Boen

21. Bill Avant

22. Tommy Surrett

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