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Mercer Sets Sights

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in May 20 editions of the Pensacola News Journal.

Chuck Corder

Stevie Mercer thought he was done with racing last December.

He had spent the better part of two decades as a fan favorite at Five Flags Speedway in one of Pensacola’s most recognizable racing families.

Mercer figured he had driven off into the sunset after last year’s Snowball Derby. Then, he got a call New Year’s Eve.

“Let’s build a new car,� the voice on the other end implored.

The voice belonged to Mercer’s brother Eddie Mercer, 53 — the legendary Super Late Model driver and 2005 Derby champion.

Leave it to big brother to pull Stevie Mercer back onto the racetrack. That’s where the 47 year old will be tonight when the Sportsman drivers return to Five Flags along with Super Stocks, Bombers and Pro Challenge cars.

Tonight’s action is a make-up from last Friday when rain washed the evening away. Gates open at 5 p.m. today with grandstands tickets still being a special two-for-one admission. Admission is as follows: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors/Military; $12 Students; $5 Child (6-11); Under 6 is Free. Pit passes are $25.

“It took 4 weeks for my brother to get bored,� Stevie Mercer said of Eddie. “It wasn’t my fault.�

Stevie Mercer says this tongue and cheek, of course.

It’s hard for him to imagine a better spot to be in that strapped in to his Sportsman car, preparing to take the green at the half-mile asphalt oval.

“You ain’t gotta pump me up. The car does it,� Stevie Mercer said. “I get in that car and flip a switch. There’s no need in psyching myself up before race.�

Especially not when you have a new ride, built to your specifications instead of buying someone else’s car as was the case with Mercer’s old car.

“I haven’t won a race with it yet, but it’s gonna be a great car,� he said. “Of course you have some of the new car blues, getting the bugs out, but it seems to be in pretty good shape.�

By his choosing, Mercer has never put up a serious run for a track title. He always has been happy to finish in the top 10 at season’s end.

After missing two races early on this year, it seems like history is destined to repeat itself.

Mercer still has his eyes, though, squarely fixed on shoving reigning track and Sportsman division Derby champion Steve Buttrick out of Victory Lane. Buttrick has won nearly 15 times the last two years, leaving rivals to wonder what it will take to solve that Rubik’s Cube.

“Steve Buttrick has been really consistent,� Mercer said. “He has a really good combination with his setup that’s working perfect. Don’t change it until it’s broke and nobody’s caught him yet. I believe with the car I got now, I can give him a pretty good run this week.�

The sunset can wait. And, who knows, maybe it can wait for more than one Mercer?

“I don’t how long he’ll be out of racing,� Stevie said of Eddie. “I give it a couple of years.�

 

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