Throwback ARCA: Early valve problem gives John Racer first last-place finish at Talladega

John Racer picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Lucas Oil ARCA Racing Series career in the Season 1 International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at the Talladega Superspeedway when his #77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge fell out with valve problems after completing 3 of the 19 laps.

The finish came in his 2nd career start. Racer was one of many drivers trying to make a name for himself, signing up after the season had already started, finishing 33rd in the wreckfest in the last round at Charlotte. 

On race day, Racer would roll off 22nd while starting last was Daytona last-place finisher the #32 Win-Tron Racing Chevrolet of Dinkdrinker. After the first lap of action Charlotte last-place finisher the #69 Kimmel Racing Ford of Daniel Bouchard began to slow in the tri-oval and stalled just past the start/finish line, however no caution would come out as Bouchard was towed back to pit road. Back on track on Lap 3, the #77 of Racer had fallen back to 30th before his car began to start smoking as he costed around the track, making it back to the pits before pulling into the garage, a victim of a broken valve.

Finishing 39th was the #69 of Daniel Bouchard, who finished five laps down due to a flat tire. 38th was Bouchard's teammate the #68 ESD / Crosley / Clarksville Schwinn Ford of Charlotte race winner Nick Kennedy, who also suffered tire problems and finished on the same lap as Bouchard. 37th was the #10 Fast Track Driving School Chevrolet of Don Benson, who suffered a late mechanical problem just three laps from the finish.

Rounding out the Bottom Five in 36th was the #6 Rheem Chevrolet of Colin Dryburgh, the last driver to finish on the same lap as the race leaders.

For Racer it would be the first of two last-place finishes the driver would have, while also finding victory lane once in his career, in the fourth race of Season 1 of the SCRL Rainbow Dash Truck Series, he led 14 of the 30 laps to win the Ford Credit 125 at Mesa Marin Raceway.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This was the first time the #77 had finished last in a ARCA Series race as well as at Talladega.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
40) #77-John Racer / 3 laps / valve
39) #69-Daniel Bouchard / 14 laps / running
38) #68-Nick Kennedy / 14 laps / running
37) #10-Don Benson / 18 laps / running led 1 lap
36) #6-Colin Dryburgh / 19 laps / running