SUPR Late Models at HRP

[rebelracewriter]

by: Steve Molnar

5/20/2003

 

BAYTOWN, Texas (May 17, 2003) - Kenny Merchant used the right tire choice and lapped traffic to seize control of the O'Reilly SUPR Late Model feature at Houston Raceway Park.

 

Merchant grabbed the lead on lap 15 from Robbie Starnes and pulled away over the final 35 laps of green flag racing. Merchant anticipated the track rubbering up and went with a harder tire compound than his nearest competitors and the decision paid off for Merchant who has now claimed 4 features in 8 races. Tommy Surrett earned the B&K Underground Top Qualifier and started on the pole but it was 2002 Rookie of the Year James Ward who grabbed the early lead. Ward led until lap 13 when Robbie Starnes grabbed the lead. Starnes led for just 2 laps when he attempted to split his way through lapped traffic only to slip out of the groove long enough for Merchant to take the lead rocketing off of turn 2.

 

The battle continued among the top 4 with James Ward retaking 2nd on lap 40 but Starnes would retake 2nd on lap 43 with Tommy Surrett grabbing third with a last lap pass on Ward. Doug Ingalls ran a smooth steady race to grab 5th. Rob Litton, Trey Beene, Marlon Wild, David Ashley and Ryan Plaisance rounded out the top 10.

 

24 O'Reilly SUPR Late Models were on hand with Ronny Adams, Tommy Surrett and James Ward staking the heat race victories and Rusty Cummings secured a spot in the feature with the last chance victory.

 

Official Results: 1. Kenny Merchant 2. Robbie Starnes 3. Tommy Surrett 4. James Ward 5. Doug Ingalls 6. Rob Litton 7. Trey Beene 8. Marlon Wild 9. David Ashley 10. Ryan Plaisance 11. Curt Lipsey 12. Bill Gordon 13. Ryan Fontenot 14. Ronny Adams 15. Brock Williams 16. Rusty Cummings 17. Donald Watson 18. Keith Mancil 19. Odie Green 20. Bryan Millican 21. Kevin Migura