The finish, which came in his 10th career start, was his first on the circuit since the Shanghai ePrix at the Shanghai International Circuit when he completed all 8 laps under power; 8 races ago. In the SCRL Formula E Series, it's the 2nd for car #10 and the 9th from a crash. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 18th for the #10 and the 242nd from a crash.
After trailing the field in just his second start in the Formula E Series, Sabre Jr. rebounded with a 10th at Vancouver, 14th at Monaco, 14th at Toronto, before scoring his first Top 5 in the series, a 5th at Long Beach. A 17th at Mexico City, 7th at Watkins Glen before finishing 11th in the last round at Montreal with the series making his second ever trip to Japan, a event that Sabre Jr. didn't compete in since he wasn't competing in the series in Season 1.
On race day, Sabe Jr. rolled off starting 18th while starting in the final spot was the #16 Mi-Jack of Nick Speed, a position that Speed would hold for only three turns when Adelaide last-place finisher the #28 DHL of Anthony Stewart was spun out and smacked the outside wall. No caution would come out as Stewart would be in the final spot for the first two laps until the #67 Hartman Oil of Blaise Zebrataur made an unscheduled pit stop for a flat left rear tire. Zebrataur's stay in the final spot would last for two laps as well until the battle for last ended suddenly two laps later.
While running in 8th, Sabre Jr. had gained ten spots and was looking to finish in points for the fifth time in his career, but it was ended while racing for several laps side by side with Long Beach last-place finisher the #15 National Guard of Nick Productions, the two cars made contact, which sent Sabre Jr. off track and slammed into the wall with enough force that Sabre Jr. was unable to limp back to the paddock, with the driver climbing from his car and walking to the infield care center to be checked out while the car was left in the gravel trap not taking the final spot until Lap 6 when Blaise passed by.
Finishing 21st was Montreal last-place finisher the #63 Susan G. Komen Foundation of Kerri Love, who also found her own trouble at that same turn that Sabre Jr. had crashed in, but she however was able to limp back to the paddock and after a brief looking over by her Dale Coyne racing team, the car was listed as "off" on the racing graphics by the 9th lap.
The remaining Bottom Five would finish on the same lap as the race leaders: 20th was the aforementioned #67 of Blaise Zebrataur, 19th was the #28 of Anthony Stewart and 18th was the #18 Cafe de Colombia of Jay Jefferson.
With two races to go, Sabre Jr. is now tied with Aaron John-Steel with two last-place finishes a piece with the championship still wide open to the point that any driver could still lock up the championship and it could come down to the season finale at Surfers Paradise.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This was the first time the #10 has finished last at Suzuka.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #10-Sammy Sabre Jr. / 4 laps / crash
21) #63-Kerry Love / 6 laps / crash
20) #67-Blaise Zebrataur / 10 laps / running
19) #28-Anthony Stewart / 10 laps / running
18) #11-Jay Jefferson / 10 laps / running
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