The finish came in his 27th career start, was his first on the circuit since September 4, the Icebreaker at the Thompson Speedway where he was involved in a multi-car crash after completing 12 of 20 laps, 26 races ago. In the SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series, it's the 2nd for car #59 and the 11th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 3rd for the #59 and the 145th for running at the finish.
After finishing last in his first ever Whelen start, Fitzwater has continued to struggle in the series, having gone winless in 26 starts with a best finish of 2nd in the second New Egypt race entering with only two races to go in the series. In the three previous races, Fitzwater has a best finish of 9th in the second Stafford event while finishing 21st in his first attempt in the first race while in the last time he visited Stafford, Fitzwater finished 19th.
On race day, Fitzwater rolled off starting 18th while first Stafford last-place finisher the #50 SMG Motoring Chevrolet of Samet Ozkan as his stay in the final spot would last only the first lap before he knocked the #12 Sherry Cup Chevrolet of Oreius Centaur into the final spot on Lap 2 when the very next lap, Fitzwater entered the battle for the first time on Lap 3. Fitzwater however wouldn't go down easy as he passed current SCRLASTCAR points leader the #57 M-M Stone Chevrolet of Danyal Gitirokh into the final spot on Lap 4, and had he not gained anymore spots, Gitirokh could have wrapped up the championship in the next round.
However by Lap 9, first Waterford last-place finisher the #1 DMC Auto Exchange Chevrolet of Anthony Lopez entered the battle but once again his stay didn't last as the very next lap, third Thompson last-place finisher the #52 Dari-Farms Ice Cream Chevrolet of Patrick Smith took the final spot and would hold it till Lap 12 when Gitirokh entered the battle for a second time on Lap 12 and held it till five laps to go when the battle quickly came to an end. Fitzwater had problems while running just inside the Top 15 as his car began to slow down the backstretch before stalling in Turn 3 and despite his car stalled on the track due to a flat left front tire, no caution came out while Fitzwater was towed to the pit road. Fitzwater's team was able to quickly put on four fresh tires and put him back out on the track, four laps behind, but he was able to take the Checkered Flag.
Finishing 24th was the aforementioned #57 of Danyal Gitirokh who also made a trip to the pit road in the last few laps. Finishing 23rd was the only other driver to not finish on the same lap as the race leaders Twin State last-place finisher the #48 A-Best Forklift Chevrolet of Bafode Sacko.
The remaining Bottom Five were able to finish on the same lap as race winner Sammy Sabre Jr.; 22nd was the #0 Stakey's Pumpkins / Jessup Chevrolet of Carter Friesen and 21st was the aforementioned #12 of Oreius Centaur.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #59 has finished last at Stafford.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
25) #59-Zachary Fitzwater / 16 laps / running
24) #57-Danyal Gitirokh / 19 laps / running
23) #48-Bafode Sacko / 19 laps / running
22) #0-Carter Friesen / 20 laps / running
21) #12-Oreius Centaur / 20 laps / running
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