Whatever the stage, consistency has long been the key to motorsports success.

Heading into the most recent date on the 2024 schedule, Jacob Mercer was 3rd in Peterborough Speedway’s Late Model championship chase. The No. 81 Mercer Motorsports group was facing a busy night, with weather issues seeing the team run a 25-lap feature – delayed from June 8th – before the night’s regularly scheduled program.

Taking the green flag from outside of the front row, the 18-year-old 3rd generation racer would log a solid effort that resulted in a 4th place finish at the end of the race distance. The team used the time to go through their notes to make some changes to the car for the pair of qualifying heats and main event that were still to come.

“We’re still learning how this year’s car reacts to the changes we make,” explained Bryan Mercer. “Our group is working hard and I think we’re gaining on things, but we need more track time to find our comfort zone. So far, Mother Nature hasn’t been very co-operative.”

After a pair of 2nd place finishes in the preliminary rounds, Mercer would once again start from the outside of the front row in the feature event. He’d hold down the runner-up spot at the halfway point and slip to 4th when the night was done. It wasn’t a race win, but a solid night, nonetheless.

The 2024 season for driver Jacob Mercer and the No. 81 team is backed by Sine’s Flooring, Durmach Precision Tooling, Facility Services, Courtice Septic, Beyond Signs & Design, Lindsay Dodge Chrysler, CARSTAR Lindsay, Lindsay Buick GMC, Highland Designs by Tracy Pattison, Cressman Tree Maintenance, Richter Law, BJ Tackle, Kawartha Metals, K9INE Protection, YoungCo Septic Design & Install, Cliffshore Excavating, Sarah Turck Sherwood Mortgage Group, Andrea Spohn Desjardins Insurance, Ganaraska Financial, Cooper Equipment Rentals, Parkin Lawn Care, Holdaway Motorsports and Clarke Motorsports Communications.

Just past the halfway mark of the year, the Port Hope, Ontario racer is 3rd in the Late Model point standings, just 32 markers out of the overall lead. The team continues its busy stretch of racing, being part of the Saturday, July 20th and 27th dates at Peterborough Speedway.

Stay up to date with the team’s progress at the track or through the 81 Mercer Motorsports Facebook page.