[Mr_J]

Anyone who said he drove like a dick (by taking the clear lane) is a total moron. He sees traffic banked up like fools, and he sees a clear lane. Anyone with half a brain takes the clear lane. He's not 'cheating'. He's got plenty of room to merge.

"Just past the stoplight about 500 feet, the right lane ends."

Plenty of time. When the other guy floored it, you should have known he wasn't going to let you in. At that point you shoulda backed off and slid in behind him (ie you waited too late).