Austin Abilene picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Thursday's Race 10 at the Columbus Speedway when his #51 Cherokee Garage Oldsmobile completed all 20 laps under power.
The finish came in his 10th career series start. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 1st for car #51 and the 23rd for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 4th for the #51 and 344th for running at the finish.
Abilene was one of many drivers who was making not only their series debut but league debut by signing up to compete on a full time schedule. Abilene would impress on his debut, finishing 2nd at Beach & Road Course before scoring his first career win in just his second start at Charlotte. A disappointing 22nd at Lakeview would be followed by a 3rd at Carrell, 28th at Hillsborough, 5th at Arizona, 16th at North Wilkesboro, 15th at Martinsville before finishing 18th in the last round at Canfield.
The entry list for the sixth time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers.
In qualifying, Jeff Stott would score his first career series pole with a time of 21.038 seconds. Abilene would post a time of 21.234, 0.196 seconds off Stott's time, placing him 20th on the grid. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was the #77 Smith-Klein Chevrolet Inc. Ford of McKenzie Dell, who posted a time of 21.302 seconds, 0.264 seconds off Stott's pole winning time.
When the race started, Dell would trail for the first three laps around the bumpy half mile short track before knocking Canfield last-place finisher the #50 Mercury of Christian Russel into last on Lap 4. Russel would struggle around the track much like he'd done in the last round before finally the momentum swung in his favor as he would knock the #4 Coast Grain Hudson of Austin Line into last on Lap 9. Line would trail for the next two laps before knocking two time last-place finisher the #120 Hudson of Brian Grigsby into the final spot on Lap 11. Determined to not trail for a third time, Grigsby would remain in last for just one lap as he would knock the #59 Buesink Police Special Ford of Cole O’Ash into last on Lap 12.
O'Ash would remain in last for only one circuit before knocking the #81 Oldsmobile of Sergeant Young into last on Lap 14. Young would struggle around the track before finally rebounding and knocked Abilene into last for the first time on Lap 17. Abilene would try as best he could over the remaining laps to gain a position but would fall short, falling 8.529 seconds behind the race leaders when the checkered flag waved.
The remaining Bottom Five were: 21st was the aforementioned #77 of McKenzie Dell, 20th was the #4 of Austin Line, 19th was the #81 of Sergeant Young and 18th was the #59 of Cole O'Ash.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #51 has finished last in a Cup race as well at Columbus.
*This is the first time the #51 has finished last in a Cup race as well at Columbus.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #51-Austin Abilene / 20 laps / running
21) #77-McKenzie Dell / 20 laps / running
20) #4-Austin Line / 20 laps / running
19) #81-Sergeant Young / 20 laps / running
18) #59-Cole O'Ash / 20 laps / running
22) #51-Austin Abilene / 20 laps / running
21) #77-McKenzie Dell / 20 laps / running
20) #4-Austin Line / 20 laps / running
19) #81-Sergeant Young / 20 laps / running
18) #59-Cole O'Ash / 20 laps / running
S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship
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