Whelen: Late race spin gives Danyal Gitirokh second last-place finish of career at Riverhead

Danyal Gitirokh picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series career in last Wednesday's the Weld-Built 150 at the Riverhead Raceway when his #57 M-M Stone Chevrolet completed 21 of 22 laps under power.

The finish came in his 16th career start, was his first on the circuit since October 1st in the Spring Fling at the New Egypt Speedway when he competed all 20 laps under power, 11 races ago. In the SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series, it's the 2nd for car #57 and the 7th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 3rd for the #57 and the 137th for running at the finish.

Ever since getting his first career last-place finish at the first New Egypt race, 16th at Waterford, 11th in the return trip to New Egypt, 22nd at Spencer, 12th at Riverhead, 8th at Twin State, 16th at Stafford, 18th at Thompson, 16th in the third and final race at New Egypt, 11th at the first Holland race and then a 8th in the last round at the second Holland race.

On race day, Gitirokh rolled off starting 17th while starting last was Waterford last-place finisher the #1 DMC Auto Exchange Chevrolet of Anthony Lopez. Lopez would trail the field for the first two laps before he was able to knock Twin State last-place finisher the #48 A-Best Forklift Chevrolet of Bafode Sacko who trailed till Lap 5 when the #38 P.A.S.E. Corporation Chevrolet of Jack Lagasee took the final spot, but the next lap it was the #10 Bilsom Safety Chevrolet of Sammy Sabre Jr. who took last on Lap 6.

Sabre would remain in the final spot till Lap 14 when two-time last-place finisher and current SCRLASTCAR Championship leader the #3 D & H Potato Farms Chevrolet of Nick Kennedy took the final spot and was trailing the field when the second and final caution came out when Gitirokh spun out in Turn 4, losing a lap and sending the race into the 3rd Green, White, Checkered of Season 1.

The remaining Bottom Five finished on the same lap as the race leaders: 23rd was Stafford last-place finisher #50 SMG Motoring Chevrolet of Samet Ozkan, 22nd was the aforementioned #3 of Nick Kennedy, 21st was the #10 of Sammy Sabre Jr. and 20th was the #0 Stakey's Pumpkins / Jessup Chevrolet of Carter Friesen.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #57 has finished last at Riverhead.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
24) #57-Danyal Gitirokh / 21 laps / running
23) #50-Sanet Ozkan / 22 laps / running
22) #3-Nick Kennedy / 22 laps / running
21) #10-Sammy Sabre Jr. / 22 laps / running
20) #0-Carter Friesen / 22 laps / running