BAYTOWN, Texas (Sept. 6) — Series points leader Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, La., rallied from his 11th starting spot to take the lead before the race's midpoint, then held off a late challenge from hometown driver Kevin Sitton at Houston Raceway Park for his fourth O'Reilly Southern United Professional Racing victory of the season. Merchant, who has three victories in his last five SUPR starts, earned $2,500. Polesitter Ronny Adams of Greenwood, La., and fellow front-row starter Chris Wall of Holden, La., led the 24-car field to the green flag at the quarter-mile oval with Wall's momentum giving him the early edge. While Wall and Adams battled side-by-side up front, Merchant picked his way to the front from his sixth-row starting spot and into the battle for the lead. Merchant took command on the 18th lap, three laps before a caution appeared as Jayson England got into an infield tire barrier.

Merchant went on cruise control until the race's final stages when the fifth-starting Sitton moved up to challenge the leader. Sitton pulled side-by-side with Merchant on the frontstretch with two laps remaining, but Merchant edged away to win the 40-lapper by a few lengths. Sitton was second followed by Adams, Rob Litton of Alexandria, La., and Wall.

Notes: Merchant's car is sponsored by J.D. Caver Co., Bayou Fabricators and J&J Motorsports. ... Merchant, the all-time SUPR victories leader, has 44 for his career. ... Rookie Kevin Sitton won the previous SUPR event at Houston; the tour returns to Baytown for an Oct. 11 event. ... Three series races remain starting with a $2,000-to-win event at Paris (Texas) Motor Speedway on Sept. 20. The 10-year-old Paris track will host its first-ever Late Model action.

O'Reilly SUPR @ Houston: (1) Kenny Merchant, (2) Kevin Sitton, (3) Ronny Adams, (4) Rob Litton, (5) Chris Wall, (6) Howard Willis, (7) Ray Moore, (8) David Ashley, (9) Doug Begnaud, (10) Robbie Starnes, (11) Lee Davis, (12) Kyle Cummings, (13) Patrik Daniel, (14) Devane Hillman, (15) Jayson England, (16) Michael Coleman, (17) William Kenney, (18) Robbie Stuart, (19) Tom Lorenz, (20) Kevin Migura, (21) Allen Tippen, (22) Doug Ivey, (23) William Butler, (24) Brock Williams. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): Wall, Moore, Litton.

Corporate sponsors of O’Reilly SUPR include: AFCO, Barber Specialties Inc., Bert Transmission, Brodix, BSB Manufacturing, Dura-Lite Racing Wheels, GRT Race Cars, Hinchman Uniforms, Hoosier Tire Southwest, J&J Motorsports, Keith Craft Inc., Larry Shaw Race Cars, Lile's Custom Home's, Master Vac, O'Reilly Auto Parts, PBM Performance Products, Peterson Aluminum, Trick Wild, Triple A Diesel Service, X-Treme Graphics and Wall 2 Wall Performance.