Story by: John Bowen ~ johnbowen@RACE22.com

Hickory, NC(August 16, 2009) -- Andy Mercer continues to conquer all at Hickory Motor Speedway as he made a late race effort on the outside of a green, white, checkered finish to claim his 13th win of the 2009 season, but this one wasn't easy ... Dexter Canipe, Jr. made sure of that.

In front of a near sell-out crowd for $5.00 night at the races, Mercer once again put his #10 Pistone LTO rocket on the point for the 50 lap Late Model Stock Car feature at Hickory Motor Speedway, "America's Most Famous Short Track". Cole Miktuk would continue his tremendous runs as of late with a 2nd place qualifying effort followed by Canipe Jr. in 3rd.

It didn't take long for the excitement to start as Grant Wimbish spins Candace Muzny before the first lap was even completed. Also spinning was the #36 machine of Neil Meredith, but all the cars would get straightened back out and continue going.

On the restart Mercer barely edges Canipe Jr. to lead lap one but by the time the field made it back to the start finish line Canipe Jr. would be leading and would be calling for his luggage cause he is checking out. By lap fifteen Canipe Jr. was in a different area code and the battle was for third. James Goff has made it passed Cole Miktuk to take the spot leaving Miktuk fourth and Jesse LeFevers fifth.

By the halfway point the lead car of Canipe Jr. has gained a straightaway lead on Mercer and the field is beginning to get strung out. With 10 laps to go Ashley Huffman has moved his way into 5th and challenging for 4th and would take that spot with just 5 laps to go. On lap 49 everything starts to heat up as Josh Wimbish goes for a spin in turn 4 bringing out the final caution of the night and definitely not what Canipe Jr. wanted to see.

A double-file restart would put Mercer on the outside of Canipe Jr. followed by Goff and Huffman for a green, white, checkered finish. When the green flag drops both cars battle door to door for the lead. The fans are on their feet and everyone knows this is going to be exciting all the way down to the checkered. Mercer edges Canipe Jr. for the victory and would bring home his 13th win of the season at Hickory.

Mercer had his work cut out as the #88 car of Canipe Jr. gave it everything they had plus some. It all goes back to a important saying in motorsports. The most important lap to lead is the last lap and Mercer was the one who came out on top of this battle for his 13th win of the 2009 season.

UnOfficial Results:
1) 10 Andy Mercer
2) 88 Dexter Canipe Jr.
3) 33 James Goff
4) 7 Ashley Huffman.
5) 43 Jesse LeFevers
6) 92 Candace Muzny
7) 6 Cole Miktuk
8) 36 Neil Meredith
9) 57 Grant Wimbish
10) 51 Josh Wimbish
11) 50 Justin Ashley
12) 95 Michael Buckner