The finish occurred in his 31st career series start, was his first on the circuit since March 18, 2018 at the spring North Wilkesboro event where he was involved in another multi-car crash without completing any of the 40 laps, 25 races ago. In the SCRL Busch Series, it's the 2nd for car #45 and the 27th for reason by crash. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 2nd for the #45 and 187th for reason by crash.
Ever since trailing at North Wilkesboro, Smith's busch career has yet to visit victory lane and has struggle to make a name for himself, but he has found some success, finishing 8th in the spring Bristol event before finishing a career best 7th in the last round at South Boston. Smith has only one start at Martinsville in the busch series, that coming earlier in the season where he finished 27th.
On race day, Smith rolled off the starting grid in 33rd while starting last was the #71 Maxie's Vending Pontiac of Truttle, a spot he would hold for only two turns before three time last-place finisher the #63 Ashby Sheet Metal & Machine Pontiac of Maria Valera took last on the first lap, trailing in the final spot till the 8th Lap before Truttle took the final spot on Lap 9, as he would keep it until Lap 14 when two-time last-place finisher the #24 Budweiser Ford of Connor Hurley took the final spot and if he had remained there for the remainer of the race, Hurley would be in a three way tie for the SCRLASTCAR Championship battle.
Lucky for Hurley he only trailed for only nine laps as the #90 unsponsored Pontiac of Matt Bowyer took the last spot on Lap 24 and was trailing the field when chaos broke out bringing out another caution. The field stacked up in Turn 1 as Smith trailed to slam on the brakes but ran into the back of another car, damaging his the radiator and giving him his second last-place finish of the season.
The remaining Bottom Five was able to finish the race, but were several laps down; 41st was two time last-place finisher the #98 Levi Garrett Pontiac of James Stabilito, who was 4 laps down, 40th was the #97 unsponsored Pontiac of Joshua Rush, 39th was the #00 Thomas Bros. Country Ham Oldsmobile of Riley Spurlytube and 38th was two-time last-place finisher the #87 unsponsored Chevrolet of Joe Jefferson, all of whom finished two laps down to the race leaders.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #45 has finished last in a Busch Series race at Martinsville.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
42) #45-Patrick Smith / 34 laps / crash
41) #98-James Stabilito / 46 laps / running
40) #97-Joshua Rush / 48 laps / running
39) #00-Riley Spurlytube / 48 laps / running
38) #87-Joe Jefferson / 48 laps / running
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