Throwback WEST: Jesse Turner becomes first driver to trail in a road course race in the West Series at Riverside after first lap crash

Jesse Turner picked up the 1st last place finish of his ONL K&N West Series career in the Pre-Season 1 Budweiser 400 at the Riverside International Raceway when his #17 MMI Services / Steak & Grape Chevrolet was involved in a multi-car crash after 1 of the 9 laps.

The finish came in his 2nd career start. In his series debut at Phoenix, Turner had finished a respectable 7th place finish as the West Series headed to their first ever event on a road course at Riverside. The entry list this time around was bumped up from 18 cars to 20 with the #61 Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet of Tim Johnston and the #22 Century Boatland Chevrolet of Makaboo23 making their West debuts at Riverside.

On race day, Turner would roll off starting in the 13th spot while the #21 Rockwell / Golden Gate Meat / Bay Bio Diesel Chevrolet of Jus Nimh rolled off the grid in the final spot. Just as the field took the Green Flag, the #20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota of Bo Dinger spun out the debuting #61 of Tim Johnston, causing a pileup as Turner was unable to slow down, slamming into the #61 passenger door, crumpling up the hood and making him unable to see as the field entering Turn 1, the #01 itxtdeals.com Ford of Draco Drakul made contact with Turner, sending both cars hard into the guardrail wall. Drakul was able to continue on to finish 18th, but Turner was done for the day, limping back cross the start/finish before turning into the garage, his day done after one lap.

19th was the #22 Century Boatland Chevrolet of Makaboo23 who was sandwiched between Turner and Drakul. The remaining Bottom Five was the #47 MSI Development Inc. Toyota of Nitahbk and 16th the aforementioned #61 of Tim Johnston.

Jesse Turner's career was one of both success and also heartbreak as the driver picked up seven wins throughout his career, but also had some of the worst luck of anyone in league history. Turner's SCRL career ended when he announced his retirement when he competed in the same series he made his debut, the SCRL Lucas Oil ARCA Series, where he finished 2nd in his final race at Kansas.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This was the first time the #17 had finished last at Riverside as well as in a West Series race.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
20) #17-Jesse Turner / 1 lap / crash
19) #22-Makaboo23 / 9 laps / running
18) #01-Draco Drakul / 9 laps / running
17) #47-Nitahbk / 9 laps / running
16) #61-Tim Johnston / 9 laps / running