Whelen: Patrick Smith gets first career last-place finish in caution free race at Thompson

Patrick Smith picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series career in the Winston 100 at the Thompson Speedway when his #52 Dari-Farms Ice Cream Chevrolet completed all 20 laps under power.

The finish came in his 19th career start. In the SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series, it's the 1st for car #52 and the 9th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 3rd for the #52 and the 141st for running at the finish.

Smith was one of many drivers still looking to make a name for himself in the SCRL. Smith finished 19th in his debut at the first Thompson event, 12th at Martinsville and Stafford, 9th in the second Martinsville event, 14th in the first dirt event at New Egypt, a career and series best 3rd at Waterford, 23rd in the second event at New Egypt, before upping his best finish by finishing runner-up to Evan Hunter at Spencer. A 18th at Riverhead followed before Smith scored a second runner up finish at Twin State, a 15th at Stafford, 7th in the second Thompson race, 15th in the third New Egypt race, 17th and 15th in both Holland races, a 4th at Riverhead, 20th at Catamount and 20th in the last round at Star.

On race day, Smith rolled off starting 16th while third New Egypt last-place finisher the #88 Buzz Chez Chevrolet / GT Vodka Chevrolet rolled off from the final spot. Black would trail for the first lap and he would knock Riverhead last-place finisher the #99 Gearhart Chevrolet of Joshua Rush to the final spot on Lap 2. Rush would trail for two laps before he knocked the #10 Bilsom Safety Chevrolet of Sammy Sabre Jr. to last on Lap 4, the very next lap, Smith entered the battle for the first time on Lap 5. Smith would be in last for only one lap when he knocked the #0 Stakey's Pumpkins / Jessup Chevrolet of Carter Friesen to last on Lap 6, a spot Frisen would hold for two laps when he knocked Dexter Black back to last on Lap 9.

Black would stay in last till Lap 11 when Sabre Jr. took the final spot for two laps. Sabre would fight back for the next two laps when he passed Smith on Lap 13 and Smith was back to last on Lap 14, as as hard as Smith tried, he was unable to gain any spots in the final six laps and finished ten seconds behind the race leaders.

The remaining Bottom Five were: 23rd two-time last-place finisher the #34 American Powder Coating / Warner Chevrolet of Al Lagasee, 22nd was the #10 of Sammy Sabre Jr., 21st was the #88 of Dexter Black and 20th was first Waterford last-place finisher the #1 DMC Auto Exchange Chevrolet of Anthony Lopez.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #52 has finished last in a Whelen race as well at Thompson.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
24) #52-Patrick Smith / 20 laps / running
23) #34-Al Lagasee / 20 laps / running
22) #10-Sammy Sabre Jr. / 20 laps / running
21) #88-Dexter Black / 20 laps / running
20) #1-Anthony Lopez / 20 laps / running