CUP: Flat tire gives second in points Brent James second last-place finish at Langhorne

Brent James picked up the 2nd last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Monday's Race 27 at the Langhorne Speedway when his #89 Plymouth completed 14 of the 15 laps under power.

The finish, which came in his 27th career series start, was his first on the circuit since the Race 18 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds when he completed all 20 laps under power; 9 races ago. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 2nd for car #89 and the 38th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 4th for the #89 and 359th for running at the finish.

After trailing at Monroe County, James would continue to struggle as he finished 19th in the next round at Altamont-Schenectady and 38th at Michigan State Fairgrounds before rebounding to a runner up finish at Fort Miami, 11th at Morristown and Air Base before finishing 3rd at Darlington. A 9th at Columbia and 3rd in the last round at Central City would keep James in the battle for the championship.

The entry list for the 8th time this season would be filled with both full time and part-time drivers, the first time since the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, three races ago, a race which part-time driver Chase Abott would win, giving him the points lead, which he has continued to hold despite missing the last two events.

In qualifying, two time and defending champion Sebastian Torres would score his second pole of the year, with a time of 29.563 seconds. James would struggle in qualifying around the bumpy one mile track, posting a time of 29.795, 0.232 off Torres's pole time, placing placing James 20th on the grid. Securing the 42nd and final starting spot was the #7 Gray Ghost Oldsmobile of John Alabama, who posted a time of 30.071, 0.508 seconds off Torres's time.

Brent James on pit road.

As the field began its lone pace lap, James's car wouldn't fire, as he would hold up the outside line before being towed to pit lane. As the field took the green flag, James's car make it back to pit road and the team quickly replaced all four tires and sent their driver back out onto the track, but he had already lost a lap, with hopes of a caution would give their driver a chance to get back on the lead lap, but it wouldn't happen, as a caution free race meant that James was the only car not on the lead lap when the checkered flag waved.

The remaining Bottom Five finished on the same lap as the race leaders: 41st was the #43 Nash of Nathan Ormond, 40th was the #42 Petty Special Plymouth of Ty Westner, 39th was the the #23 Studebaker of John Autzen and 38th was the #30 Plymouth of Jeremiah Weaver.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #89 has finished last in a Cup race at Langhorne.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
42) #89-Brent James / 14 laps / running
41) #43-Nathan Ormond / 15 laps / running
40) #42-Ty Westner / 15 laps / running
39) #23-John Autzen / 15 laps / running
38) #30-Jeremiah Weaver / 15 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship