Texas Speedzone - Merrell Motors to First USRA Super Late Model Win At Thunder Hill Raceway

Kyle, TX (July 23, 2006) – United States Racing Association Super Late Model rookie Matt Merrell won his first USRA SLM event - the “TexasSpeedZone.Com 125” presented by Magnum Trailers - at Thunder Hill Raceway Saturday night, July 22, 2006.

For Immediate Release – July 23, 2006 Contact: Nick Holt, USRA Media Director cnholt@sbcglobal.net (210) 415-1251 (cell) Merrell Motors to USRA Win at Thunder Hill Raceway by J. M. Hallas and Nick Holt Kyle, TX (July 23, 2006) – United States Racing Association Super Late Model rookie Matt Merrell won his first USRA SLM event - the “TexasSpeedZone.Com 125” presented by Magnum Trailers - at Thunder Hill Raceway Saturday night, July 22, 2006. Merrell, who qualified and started third, got out front on the start then held off the field to take the win at the tight, three-eighths-mile, D-shaped oval located just south of Austin, Texas. “I had a good car from the very start,” said the elated Merrell. “The car was good all the way through. My crew chief, Chris Saathoff gave me a good car. I got out front by a few car lengths and just kind of coasted from there. Anytime you’re in the lead, especially with the car to beat you start to feel things, think a tire’s going down or something. Luckily it stayed altogether tonight.” Merrell took the lead after an altercation at the start collected fast-qualifier Chris Davidson. Pole sitter Keith Riethmeyer led the pack into the first turn flanked by Corey Roper, but the field bunched up in the corner with Riethmeyer getting tapped from behind by Merrell. The contact sent Riethmeyer around with Robert Walton getting caught up in the fracas. The field was regrouped for a second try. The next start saw Roper get the edge on Riethmeyer coming off the second turn. But as the leaders headed through turns three and four, Merrell, Riethmeyer and Roper made contact. Merrell scooted by for the lead, while Davidson tagged Riethmeyer. Everyone sorted out and continued on, but Davidson began to show some smoke from rubbing body work. Merrell then began to stretch his advantage over Roper who had opened a gap back to Jonathon Beason, Eric Wallace and Davidson. The battle for fourth heated up when Tommy Grotheus joined that group on lap 17. That scrap came to a head when Wallace and Davidson made contact sending Wallace around. Under the yellow Davidson pitted for repairs, losing many laps, while Wallace retired for the night. Merrell once again pulled away from Roper on the restart as the top three separated out, leaving Riethmeyer and Grotheus to fight for fourth. Merrell increased his lead to 1.62 seconds by lap 40, while Riethmeyer continued to pressure Grotheus for position finally getting by just before halfway. Meanwhile, Davidson, who is locked in a tight points battle with Merrell, returned to action with a car that was faster than ever. As the crossed flags were shown, it was Merrell by nearly a full straightaway over Roper, Beason, Riethmeyer and Grotheus. With Merrell easily out on the point, the focus turned to Davidson, who was a man on a mission. Greg Davis brought out the caution on lap 64 when he erupted in flames while running sixth. The fire quickly put itself out and Davis rolled into the pits. On the restart, Merrell again inched away from Roper, but yellow was quickly back out for debris off Davidson’s car. Back under green again, Merrell got away clean while Davidson was proving he had the fastest car, despite the damage. Davidson got around Beason on lap 80, tracked down and passed Roper on lap 90 and methodically worked his way up to Merrell, who had a one second advantage over Roper. Davidson caught Merrell on lap 100 and Merrell, in spite of his rookie status, wisely pulled out of the way to let Davidson go. Once Davidson passed the leader and could pick up no more positions, he pulled off. “I was aware that Chris (Davidson) was having trouble,” Merrell said. “I’d look up on the scoreboard and not see his number. Then my crew chief told he on the radio he was second in line but laps down so I just let him by.” Merrell’s lead was now only two car lengths on Roper, but Merrell crept back way, while Riethmeyer looked to take third from Beason. Grotheus saw his chance for a top five finish end when he had mechanical trouble and pitted on lap 111. The gap between first and second yo-yoed back and forth until Merrell reassumed command and pulled away in the final laps. With five to go, Merrell’s lead was back to over one second. As the white waved the former Dwarf car champion and the 2005 USRA Modified Series Rookie of the Year had a comfortable lead and took the checkered in his Merrell Lease Service, Port City Chassis, McGunegill-powered Chevrolet by 1.25-seconds over Roper. The win combined with Davidson’s problems cut Davidson’s USRA Super Late Model Series points lead just a handful of points. “Being a rookie and near the points lead, I’m on cloud nine right now,” Merrell explained after the race. “I’m looking forward to the next race in San Antonio. We were pretty good there the last time. The two tire rule helped us a lot.” The next event on the USRA SLM schedule is the second half of the “Texas Two Step Nationals” at San Antonio Speedway on August 5, 2006. This event is sure to draw many of the top Super Late Model drivers in the South due to the increased purse and its national significance. For more information about the USRA, log onto http://www.usraspeed.com. USRA Super Late Model “TexasSpeedZone.Com 125” presented by Magnum Trailers Results Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Qualifying Time 1. (03) Matt Merrell, Portland, TX, 14.699 2. (04) Cory Roper, Vernon, TX, 14.654 3. (36) Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK, 14.985 4. (49) Keith Riethmeyer, Hutto, TX, 14.872 5. (16) Danny Pike, Red Oak, TX, 15.861 6. (44) Robbie Ybarra, Altus, OK, 16.339 7. (11) Tommy Grothues, San Antonio, TX, 15.60 8. (41) Chris Davidson, Pearland, TX, 14.493 9. (35) Greg Davis, Waxahachie, TX, 15.940 10. (49W) Robert Walton, Del Valle, TX, 15.652 11. (9W) - Eric Wallace, Concord, NC,15.254 12. 14 Jeff Reynolds, NT, DNS 13. (29) Thad Felton, The Woodlands, TX, NT, DNS --30--