The finish came in his 26th career start. In the SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series, it's the 1st for car #8 and the 11th from a crash. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 11th for the #8 and the 201st from a crash.
Bright was one of few drivers who had tasted success in the SCRL before signing up to compete in the Whelen Series, having picked up six career wins. In his debut for the series, Bright finished 18th at Thompson and then a 15th in the next round at Martinsville. In his third career start, Bright tasted success, winning at the series first ever event at Stafford for his seventh career win. Ever since his victory, Bright picked up 4 more Top 5 finished, a best of 3rd twice at New Egypt, Holland and in the last round at Shangri-La, along the way to 10 Top 10 finishes and was looking to continue his hot streak at the quarter of a mile track.
On race day, Bright rolled off starting 17th while 3 time last-place finisher the #42 Patterson Farm / NAPA / Spafco Chevrolet of Eddie Wycombe but by the time the field had gone through the first two turns, Wycombe had knocked first Thompson last-place finisher the #59 Space Fitters / Ed Bennett Prop. Chevrolet of Zachary Fitzwater as he struggled to stay in contact with the back of the field as "something just seemed off" the driver reported back to his crew as he remained in the field spot for the first six laps until a spin brought the battle for last to the end. Bright was battling for the 15th spot when he was spun out in Turn 4 and smacked the wall, damaging his car and ending his day.
For Fitzwater, his car was never right, losing three laps over the entire race and was the only other driver to not finish on the lead lap.
The remaining Bottom Five were: 23rd was the #4 Overland Driveshaft Chevrolet of AJ Jones, 22nd was second Holland last-place finisher the #28 Fuel Carrier Corp. Chevrolet of Riley Spurlytube and 21st was two-time last-place finisher the #34 American Powder Coating / Warner Chevrolet of Al Lagasee.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #8 has finished last in the Whelen Series as well at Oxford Plains.
*This is the first time Bright has trailed a field since November 13, 2017, where he suffered camshaft trouble after completing 7 of 25 laps of the Season 1 SCRL CatDog Pro Series East G-Oil 100 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
25) #8-Eli Bright / 7 laps / crash
24) #59-Zachary Fitzwater / 17 laps / running
23) #4-AJ Jones / 20 laps / running
22) #28-Riley Spurlytube / 20 laps / running
21) #34-Al Lagasee / 20 laps / running
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