With each turn of the steering wheel, the bar gets pushed another notch higher. Future generations of first-year Peterborough Speedway racers will have their performance judged against the accomplishments of Jacob Mercer’s rookie stock car racing season. Saturday, July 16th in just his 5th ever start the 15-year-old scored his first career Late Model main event win.
Making the most of his starting spot on the outside of the front row, the Port Hope, Ontario youngster jumped-out to an early lead with a hungry pack filling his rear-view mirror. With 25 laps to settle the score, Mercer’s run to the checkered flag was far from a walk in the park. He’d need to hit his marks and log the same strong, consistent laps he’s become known for during the early runs of what promises to be a stellar motorsports career.
The 6 or 7 car length advantage the pilot of the potent No. 81 ride had built-up was erased by a lap 8 caution flag for an issue in the 3rd turn. With the calming voice of fill-in spotter and family friend Phil Winter in his ear while the field was realigned, Mercer maintained his composure as he waited for the restart. There was another yellow flag with just 8 laps remaining in the race distance, but nothing was going to come between Jacob Mercer and his history-making first win.
“On the way home from the track I was telling my father that I didn’t think I’d even get a qualifying heat win in my first year, let alone a feature victory,” Jacob Mercer explained. “No matter how the rest of the year goes for our team, I’m very thankful for the opportunity and to continue a family racing tradition that began with my grandfather so many years ago. Just like my Dad did when he won for the first time last year, I dedicate this victory to his memory.”
Jacob Mercer’s No. 81 Peterborough Speedway Late Model is proudly supported by Sine’s Flooring, Durmach Precision Tooling, Facility Services, Courtice Septic, Kawartha Metals, Office Line, Cressman Tree Maintenance, Beyond Signs & Design, Mediavandals, Lynch, Rutherford, Tozer Certified Accountants, Richter Law, Press Any Key Computer Solutions, Quantrill Chev Buick GMC Cadillac, Ross Funeral Home, M&M Food Market – Port Hope, Doner Custom Carpentry, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Cliffshore Excavating, Epic Racewear and Clarke Motorsports Communications.
After concluding a stretch of 4 straight weekends of racing, the team will now enjoy a break in the schedule before starting a run of 5 consecutive shows that begins Saturday, August 8th. Family, friends and fans can follow Jacob Mercer by liking the 81 Mercer Motorsports page at www.facebook.com or look to www.81mercermotorsports.com.
Port Hope, Ontario’s Jacob Mercer (No. 81) recorded the biggest first of his young stock car racing career by winning the Late Model feature on Saturday, July 16th at Peterborough Speedway.
Source: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Photo: Melissa Smits, OneNine Marketing, www.facebook.com/oneninemarketing
