Merchant closes in on  legend with 40th O'Reilly SUPR Late Model

victory at ArkLaTex Speedway!

 

Vivian, Louisiana (July 21, 2007) – Kenny Merchant rode the rim at ArkLaTex Speedway to score the 40^th O’Reilly SUPR Late Model victory of his career.  The win places Merchant just one victory shy of tying the all-time victory leader, Doug Ingalls. 

 

Howard Willis rolled out a new car tonight and he put the Flynn Racing car up front of the 20-car field at the drop of the green and he kept it there for the first 10 laps.  He was quickly challenged by Merchant who started running the high line Merchant kept the pressure on Willis eventually easing out front by lap 11 and then extending the lead. 

 

Merchant would hold sway over the field for the remainder of the race as his J.D. Caver/Shock House/Henry’s Auto Salvage/J&J Motorsports Ford Fusion GRT was on a rail.  Afterward Merchant was ready to race again as O’Reilly SUPR President referenced his win total and suggested that now might be the right time to give a try.  Kenny’s wife Wendy was less inclined; the stress of watching Kenny work his way through lapped traffic on the tight ArkLaTex Speedway once was enough.  Still Merchant has found a home for himself on the classy ¼ mile.

 

23 O’Reilly SUPR Late Models were on hand with the races opening with three heat races.  Ronny Adams, Howard Willis and Kenny Merchant took the wins with Rob Litton coming back to score the last chance victory.

 

Official Results:

1.    Kenny Merchant

2.    Howard Willis

3.    Jody Prince

4.    Kyle Cummings

5.    Robbie Stuart

6.    Lee Davis

7.    Ricky Ingalls

8.    Jeff Gandy

9.    Allen Tippen

10.  Jason Ingalls

11.  Billy Melton

12.  Ray Moore

13.  Gary Scott Christian

14.  Patrik Daniel

15.  Keith Strother

16.  Rodney Stanford

17.  Ronny Adams

18.  Rob Litton

19.  Kyle Taylor

20.  Jeff Chanler