PORT HOPE, ON (August 16, 2017)- The clock is ticking. Just three events remain in the 2017 regular season at Canada’s Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval. With time running out, Port Hope, Ontario’s Bryan Mercer finds himself in the thick of the championship battle for the Organics & Glass Late Model title.
Saturday, August 12th, the 44 year-old second generation racer started on the outside of the front row in the ‘A’ main at Peterborough Speedway. From the drop of the green flag, the goal was to get his car to the bottom groove and even though it took more than a dozen laps to get there, Mercer was able to find a spot in the preferred racing line.
“My car has been great all year, but it just doesn’t seem to like the top,” admitted the driver. “There’s no point in forcing the issue. My spotter has been really good at helping find a spot, so I just waited to hear the word ‘clear’ and dropped into the spot.”
Once in position, Bryan Mercer needed to focus on getting as close to the front of the field as possible. Rain earlier in the afternoon had limited the amount of track time available to the teams, so the #81 crew needed to work through their set-up notes to get the car hooked-up. With about a handful of laps remaining, he saw an opening and slipped into the second position for another strong finish. Most importantly, he took the checkered flag ahead of his rival in the title fight.
“After keeping the car parked for the entire 2016 season, this year has been all about the big picture,” Mercer said. “Behind the scenes and at the track, we’re working smarter; not harder. Everyone associated with this team is focused on the same goal. It seems hard to believe, but the regular season is almost over. It would be great to land another main event win, but consistency has brought us this far, so there is no point in trying to change something that is obviously working.”
Earlier in the night, the #81 team finished second in each of the Late Model division’s qualifying events.
For the 2017 season, Bryan Mercer’s program is supported by Sine’s Flooring, Durmach Tooling, Beyond Signs & Design, Cressman Tree Service, Glass One Autoglass, Facility Services, National Shunt Services, MASS Environmental, Everwood Property Maintenance, Murray O’Brien – Re/Max, Eric’s Auto Body and Pioneer Gas Bar – Port Hope. Clarke Motorsports Communications provides media and public relations services for the #81 Late Model team.
Saturday, August 19th, the #81 machine will have a guest driver for the year’s final Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Night at Peterborough Speedway. Former Late Model division track champion Dave Morgan will get back behind the wheel, while Bryan Mercer attends the NASCAR event at Bristol Motor Speedway with his son. Follow the team behind the scenes and at the track by liking the Mercer Motorsports page at www.facebook.com.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, www.facebook.com/clarkemotorsports
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