Kenny Merchant continues to dominate Late Model action

Kenny Merchant continues to dominate Late Model action

McComb, Mississippi (April 26, 2003) – Kenny Merchant emerged from a frantic early battle to roll to his 3^rd victory in 6 races on the 2003 O’Reilly SUPR Late Model tour. Merchant took over the lead from Curt Lipsey on lap 17 and once again held off a challenge from James Ward to take the win. Kenny drove the J.D. Caver/J&J Motorsports/Bayou Fabricators Keith Craft powered Ford Taurus to the victory and returned home to West Monroe, Louisiana with his lead in the 2003 O’Reilly SUPR Late Model Championship standings extended to 107 points.

The race started out with B&K Underground Top Qualifier Marlon Wild setting the pace. Wild would lead the first four laps before Curt Lipsey took the lead on lap 5. The race was slowed for the first of only 2 cautions when Chris Wall lost power on the backstretch on lap 6. Curt would maintain the lead over the next 10 laps but Merchant was closing in to battle for the lead. Kenny took over the point on lap 17 and went on to take the 50-lap victory. Merchant’s run to the checkers was slowed on by a mid-race caution on lap 29 when defending O’Reilly SUPR Champion Rodney Wing spun. Merchant recorded his 22^nd career O’Reilly SUPR victory.

James Ward, from Lettsville, Louisiana finished in the runner-up position for the second time in three races. Ward drove the Mitch Tassin-owned Chevrolet Monte Carlo Larry Shaw to a heat race victory and was in contention throughout the race and was running with Merchant through the final stages of the race but was unable to make the pass for the lead.

Curt Lipsey saw his early lead slip away but was still away to remain near the front of the pack and came home with a solid third place finish and with the strong finish Lipsey has moved up to 4^th place in the championship standings.

David Ashley continued his steady performance with a 4^th place finish at the track where he claimed his first win of the season. Marlon Wild finished fifth after starting on the pole and leading the first 4 laps of the feature.

Sam Patrick made his first start of the season and recorded a solid 6^th place finish after winning in weekly competition last week at Pike County Speedway. Rob Litton, K.I. Davis, Kevin Watts and Phil Cooper rounded out the top 10.

33 O’Reilly SUPR Late Models were on hand. Tommy Surrett, Marlon Wild, James Ward, David Ashley and Kenny Merchant won the heat races with Rodney Wing and Ryan Plaisance taking the last chance races.

Official Results:

1. Kenny Merchant

2. James Ward

3. Curt Lipsey

4. David Ashley

5. Marlon Wild

6. Sam Patrick

7. Rob Litton

8. K.I. Davis

9. Kevin Watts

10. Phil Cooper

11. Keith Craft

12. Ryan Plaisance

13. Rodney Sheridan

14. Tommy Surrett

15. Jon Mitchell

16. Bill Gordon

17. Rodney Wing

18. Jay Blair

19. Kennith Crowe

20. Davin Bates

21. Donald Watson

22. Chris Wall

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