The finish came in her 24th career series start. Entering Season 3 of the Truck Series, Valera was one of many drivers just looking to have a good season. She began her Truck Series career by finishing an impressive 7th at Walt Disney World, a finish she would top at Homestead and Nazareth by finishing 6th as the series ran it's first road course event of the season at Heartland Park Topeka. Valera would start on the pole and would stay on contention for second until with two laps to go leader Truttle spun out handing the lead and win to Valera. After scoring her first win, Valera's best finish since has been a 7th at Mesa Marin, one round ago, and sits just outside the top ten in points.
On race day, Saatchi would roll off the field in 6th and had high hopes for another good run. Starting last was I-70 last-place finisher the #88 PBA Tour Chevrolet of Carter Frisen but by the end of the first lap the #65 Concor Tool & Machine Ford of Gatlin Downey would take over last and on the 2nd lap Bristol last-place finisher the #86 Valvoline Instant Oil Change Ford of Max Anderson would enter the battle as the field entered Turn 2 chaos would break out.
As drivers went five wide, contact between the #16 NAPA Brakes Chevrolet of Bafode Sacko and two-time last-place finisher the #80 LCI International of Greg Lee set off a chain reaction as a ten truck wreck would break out. As the smoke cleared, Valera's truck limped around on the apron, her truck completely destroyed as she limped to the garage, her day done.
Finishing 39th was Homestead last-place finisher the #1 Band-Aid Ford of Gustavo Arocha, who would finish on the same lap as Valera. 38th went to two time last-place finisher the #31 Concor Tool & Machine Ford of Evan Rudd, who would complete one more lap before pulling into the garage. 37th went to current SCRLASTCAR points leader the #4 Link-Belt Construction Chevrolet of Jeff Bright, who would suffer valve problems, while running in 15th. Rounding out the Bottom Five in 36th was the #6 RE/MAX International of Alexander Rowe, who was damaged in the lone caution of the day and would limp around at half speed, costing several drivers a chance at victory in the final laps.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #04 has finished last in a truck series race as well as at Fontana.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
40) #04-Maria Valera / 3 laps / crash
39) #1-Gustavo Arocha / 3 laps / crash
38) #31-Evan Rudd / 4 laps / crash
37) #4-Jeff Bright / 6 laps / valve
36) #6-Alexander Rowe / 23 laps / running
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