Devil's Bowl Speedway
Merchant ends SUPR drought with Texas win
By Jason Wise
DirtonDirt.com correspondentMESQUITE, Texas (July 3) — Polesitter Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, La., ended a nearly year-long drought on the O’Reilly Southern United Professional Racing tour with a Thursday night victory at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. According to series records, Merchant's 41st career SUPR victory pulled him to within one of all-time series victories leader Doug Ingalls of Longview, Texas, who is on top with 42 career victories.
In the opening circuits of the 35-lap feature, Louisiana drivers Ronny Adams of Greenwood, Merchant, David Ashley of Zachary and Ray Moore of Shreveport began a spirited battle for the lead with Adams fending off each challenger. Merchant stayed with Adams, however, and on the 25th lap he made a backstretch pass to take command. Merchant pulled away over the final 10 laps while seventh-starting Patrik Daniel of Wills Point, Texas, made a late-race move to get up to second. Adams settled for third with Moore and another Texan, Howard Willis, rounding out the top five.
Notes: Merchant's car is sponsored by J.D. Caver and Co., Shock House and J&J Motorsports. ... Merchant's previous series victory came July 21, 2007, at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. ... The feature was slowed by three cautions. … David Ashley, who started fourth, ran among the frontrunners but was an early dropout with an overheating engine. … Among drivers failing to make the feature: Gary Scott Christian, Jason Trevethan, Britt Ables, Elizabeth Halpin Smith and Skip O'Neal. ... SUPR competitors wrap up their Fourth of July weekend racing with a Friday night race at Champion Park Speedway near Minden, La.
O'Reilly SUPR @ Devil's Bowl: (1) Kenny Merchant, (2) Patrik Daniel, (3) Ronny Adams, (4) Ray Moore, (5) Howard Willis, (6) Rob Litton, (7) Robbie Stuart, (8) Kyle Cummings, (9) Bob Ewell, (10) Tom Lorenz, (11) Allen Tippen, (12) Michael Coleman, (13) Michael Grubbs, (14) Jeff Chanler, (15) John Ewell, (16) Troy Tindall, (17) William Kenney, (18) Darren Ellis, (19) David Ashley Jr., (20) Anthony Burroughs, (21) Lee Davis, (22) Kevin Sitton. Heat race winners (among 32 cars): Cummings, Moore, Adams Merchant. Consolation winners: Sitton, J. Ewell. Provisional starters: Davis, Keeney.
