CUP: Flat tire gives pole sitter Addy Jade first last-place finish at Columbia

Addy Jade picked up the 1st last place finish of her SCRL Grand National Series career in Thursday's Race 11 at the Columbia Speedway when her #78 Lincoln completed all 20 laps under power.

The finish came in her 11th career series start. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 2nd for car #78 and the 24th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 2nd for the #78 and 345th for running at the finish.

Jade 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. Jade would finish a disappointing 30th at Beach & Road Course, 20th at Charlotte, 23rd at Lakeview before scoring her first points finish with a 10th at Carrell. A career best 6th at Hillsborough would be followed by a 19th at Arizona, 13th at North Wilkesboro, 7th at Martinsville, 12th at Canfield before finishing 13th at Columbus in the last round.

The entry list for the seventh time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers.

In qualifying, Addy Jade would score her first career series pole with a time of 20.845 seconds. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was the #2 Bronson Minnick, who posted a time of 21.387 seconds, 0.542 seconds off Jade's pole winning time.

Addy Jade heads to pit road on the pace lap.

When the race started, Jade would lead the field off pit road before quickly pulling to the inside of the track, reporting to his team of a flat tire. As the rest of the field past her, Jade followed the pace car on pit road and to her pit stall, her team quickly changing only the left side tires before sending their driver back out on the track, just a few seconds in front of the race leaders. Jade's car was fast enough where she would remain in front of the leaders, but due to no other drivers having any problems on cautions flying, Jade remained in last from flag to flag.

The remaining Bottom Five were: 21st was Columbus last-place finisher the #51 Cherokee Garage Oldsmobile of Austin Abilene, 20th was the #82 Oates Motor Co. Oldsmobile of Breezy Brisbane, 19th was the #100 of Jeff Stott and 18th was Lakeview last-place finisher the #60 Ford of Josh Barker.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #78 has finished last in a Cup race at Columbia.
*This is the first time the #78 has finished last in a Cup race since the Season 1 Race 7 at the Heidelberg Raceway when Clyde Sparks's #78 Ford fell out with engine problems without completing any of the 25 laps; 31 races ago.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #78-Addy Jade / 20 laps / running
21) #51-Austin Abilene / 20 laps / running
20) #82-Breezy Brisbane / 20 laps / running
19) #100-Jeff Stott / 20 laps / running
18) #60-Josh Barker / 20 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship