Dave Murdick topped an outstanding field of 41 BRP/Hoosier Tire Modifieds at Mercer Raceway Park, taking advantage of a miscue to squeeze by leader J.R. McGinley with 27 laps completed. The event was the annual Smackdown!, which pits the touring Big Blocks against the track's own 358 Modifieds.

The Modified Tour's handicapping system worked to the advantage of several track regulars. J.R. McGinley and Rob Curtis occupied row number one, with Klye Fink and Eric Gabany in row two. Jimmy Holden, the defending track champ, lined up in row three. Frank Guidace was in row five, with Lonny Riggs in row six.

When the green flag waived for the start of the 35 lapper, McGinley took command, followed by Curtis, Gabany and Dave Murdick. McGinley showed Curtis and all of the other big boys the fast way around the tricky oval. Despite reaching lapped traffioc on just the seventh circuit, McGinley stretched his lead. For a while, it looked as though he would take the win for the strong contingent of 358 Modifieds that turned out to support the program. No Mercer regular had ever successfully defended the home turf in the annual showdown between the Big Block Tour and the potent Mercer 358 Mods.

A caution on lap 11 for New Yorker Ron Cartwright bunched the field up, but it did not bother McGinley in the least. He continued to lead the way. By the halfway mark, Murdick slipped past Curtis, and he started to reel in McGinley. Another caution on lap 19 for Ron Eperthener's frontstretch spin put Murdick beside McGinley for the restart.

A four car tangle on the very next lap slowed the pace again. Kevin Hoffman, Tommy Mattocks, Steve Feder and Jeff Schaffer were the involved cars. Only Feder was able to continue the event. None of the participants were injured.

Once again. McGinley was up to the task, but this time, Murdick stayed within close range.While they ran out front, Joe Kubiniec was driving the best race of his Modifed Tour career. He was holding down the third spot, ahead of top runners Brad Rapp and Brian Weaver.

On lap 26, as McGinley rounded turn four, he slid high and opened the door for Murdick. The veteran driver seized the opportunity and snuck under McGinley as they raced down the front chute. They entered turn one side by side, but Murdick powered off turn two with a lead that he would not surrender.

Murdick led the rest of the way to earn the win. McGinley crossed in second, the top Mercer runner. Kubiniec was third, Rapp in fourth, and Weaver in fifth.

Jimmy Holden and Lonny Riggs were the next Mercer regulars, in sixth and seventh. Then came the Big Blocks of Rex King, Sr., Jeremiah Shingledecker and Rob Curtis.

Heat race winners were Ron Cartwright, McGinley, Curtis and Weaver.

The twin B Mains were won by Ron Eperthener and Rex King, Sr.

The Contingeny Connection award winners were McGinley, Rapp and Weaver. Holden, Riggs and Curtis won gift certificates from Bully Dog.

Mercer Raceway Park (August 18, 2012):  Dave Murdick, J.R. McGinley, Joe Kubiniec, Brad Rapp, Brian Weaver, Jimmy Holden, Lonny Riggs, Rex King, Sr., Jeremiah Shingledecker, Rob Curtis, Eric Gabany, Randy Chrysler, Ryan Susice, Rex King, Jr., Mark Frankhousaer, Steve Feder, Mike Turner, Jeff Schaffer, Kevin Hoffman, Tom Mattocks, Ron Eperthener, Frank Guidace, Max Smoker, Ron Cartwright, Skip Moore, Kyle Fink. DNQ: Randy Kriegisch, Jeff Monoskey, Don Brown, Carl Murdick, Jeremy Paup, Shayne Izzo, Dillon Barr, Chris Haines, Tom Kristyak, Gary Smoker, Tom Glenn, Rick Ryder, Jerry Schaffer, Shawn Fleeger, Makayla Guidace.