CUP: Broken suspension prevents Chris Kyle from completing a lap at Oakland

Chris Kyle picked up the 3rd last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Sunday's Race 35 at the Oakland Stadium when his #22 Hudson fell out with suspension problems without completing any of the 22 laps.

The finish, which came in his 54th career series start, was his first on the circuit since Race 29 at the Dayton Speedway when he completed all 20 laps under power; 6 races ago. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 3rd for car #22 and the 2nd for suspension issues. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 20th for the #22 and 3rd for suspension issues.

After trailing at Dayton, Kyle would continue to struggle, finishing 19th at Wilson before rebounding with a 16th at Hillsborough, before struggling to a 36th at Thompson, a 16th at Pine Gove before finishing 21st in the last round at Martinsville.

The entry list for the 25th time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers, the first time since Race 34 at the Martinsville Speedway, 1 race ago. The part-time drivers are not scheduled to be back on track till Race 36, the Wilkes 200, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

In qualifying, Brian Grigsby scored his first career pole, with a time of 16.871 seconds. Kyle would stuggle around the 0.625 mile dirt track, posting a time of 17.253, 0.382 seconds behind Grigsby's time. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was second Carrell last place-finisher the #77 Oldsmobile of McKenzie Dell, who posted a time of 17.316 seconds, 0.445 seconds behind Grigsby's time.

As the drivers begain their pace lap, Kyle's car would stall on the front stretch, holding up the #77 of McKenzie Dell for a few seconds before Kyle would be towed back to the pits. The crew looked over the car as the field took the green flag, with Kyle reporting to his crew their was most likely a problem wrong with the tire, and while that comment would be shown on the score card, the officials listed the car as "out" by Lap 5 with Suspension being the cause given.

The remaining Bottom Five would finish on the same lap as the race leaders: 21st was Asheville-Weaverville last-place finisher the #58 Kaiser of Brent Davison, 20th was first Charlotte last-place finisher the #8 Fry Motors Lincoln of Chris Tuckett, 19th was the #100 of Jeff Stott and 18th was two-time last-place finisher the #69 Oldsmobile of Chakat Duskwatcher.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #22 has finished last in a Cup race at Oakland.
*The other only time a driver has trailed due to "Suspension" issues was in the Season 2 Race 11 at the Dayton Speedway when AJ Jones's #91 Plymouth fell out with suspension problems after completing 3 of the 20 laps; 43 races ago.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #22-Chris Kyle / 0 laps / suspension
21) #58-Brent Davison / 25 laps / running
20) #8-Chris Tuckett / 25 laps / running
19) #100-Jeff Stott / 25 laps / running

18) #69-Chakat Duskwatcher / 25 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship

CUP: Roger James trails flag-to-flag at Martinsville

Roger James picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Saturday's Race 34 at the Martinsville Speedway when his #93 Plymouth completed all 20 laps under power.

The finish came in his 53rd career series start. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 1st for car #93 and the 45th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 1st for the #93 and 366th for running at the finish.

James has been competing in the SCRL for several years now but had never visited victory lane before, despite competing in a full season in the Grand National Series in season 2, a season he would score a best finish of 2nd at Daytona Beach and Road Course and finishing 16th in points. James would return to Daytona Beach by finishing 7th, before struggling to finish 15th at Charlotte, 9th at Lakeview, 6th at Carrell, 35th at Hillsborough, 10th at Arizona State, 20th at North Wilkesboro, 19th at Martinsville, before scoring a season best 3rd at Canfield. A disappointing 16th at Columbus, 17th at Columbia, 16th at Dayton, 18th at Carrell, 4th at Grand Rapids, 21st at Bainbridge, 6th at Heidelberg, 12th at Asheville-Weaverville, 7th at Monroe County, 5th at Altamont-Schenectady, 32nd at Michigan Fairgrounds before in his 40th career start, James would score his first career win at Fort Miami.

With a win in the bag, James would finish 4th in the next round at Morristown, 16th at Air Base, 22nd at Darlington, 6th at Columbia, 15th at Central City, 36th at Langhorne, 2nd at Charlotte, 10th at Dayton, 4th at Wilson, 4th at Hillsborough, 39th at Thompson before finishing 14th in the last round at Pine Grove.

The entry list for the 24th time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers, the first time since Race 33 at the Pine Grove Speedway, 1 race ago. The part-time drivers are not scheduled to be back on track till Race 36, the Wilkes 200, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

In qualifying, Christian Russel scored his fourth pole of the year, with a time of 26.435 seconds. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was James, who posted a time of 27.027 seconds, 0.592 seconds behind Russel's time.

When the race started, it was clear to see that James was going to struggle all race long, as by the time the first lap had been completed, he was already more then half a second behind the car in front of him. As the laps ticked by, James struggled to remain with the drivers in front of him, falling to a full thirteen seconds behind the leaders when the checkered flag waved.

The remaining Bottom Five were: 21st was two-time last-place finisher the #22 Hudson of Chris Kyle, 20th was Air Base last-place finisher the #82 Oates Motor Co. Hudson of Breezy Brisbane, 19th was first Charlotte last-place finisher the #8 Fry Motors Lincoln of Chris Tuckett and 18th was the #2 Ford of Bronson Minnick.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #93 has finished last in a Cup race as well at Martinsville.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #93-Roger James / 20 laps / running
21) #22-Chris Kyle / 20 laps / running
20) #82-Breezy Brisbane / 20 laps / running
19) #8-Chris Tuckett / 20 laps / running
18) #2-Bronson Minnick / 20 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship

CUP: Flat tire at Pine Grove gives Josh Barker his second career last-place finish

Josh Barker picked up the 3rd last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Monday's Race 33 at the Pine Grove Speedway when his #60 Ford completed 18 of the 20 laps under power.

The finish, which came in his 33rd career series start, was his first on the circuit since Race 14 at the Grand Rapids Speedrome when he completed all 20 laps under power; 19 races ago. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 4th for car #60 and the 44th for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 5th for the #60 and 365th for running at the finish.

After trailing the field at Grand Rapids, Barker would rebound by scoring points in the next event at Bainbridge, before finishing 19th at Heidelberg, 2nd at Asheville-Weaverville, 13th at Monroe County, 18th at Altamont-Schenectady, 6th at Michigan State Fairgrounds, 19th at Fort Miami, 9th at Morristown, 12th at Air Base, 13th at Darlington, 8th at Columbia, 19th at Central City, 17th at Langhorne, 6th at Charlotte, 21st at Dayton, 13th at Wilson, 33rd at Hillsborough before finishing 27th in the last round at Thompson.

The entry list for the 23rd time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers, the first time since Race 30 at the Wilson Speedway, 2 races ago. The part-time drivers are not scheduled to be back on track till Race 36, the Wilkes 200, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

In qualifying, Austin Abilene scored his second pole of the year, with a time of 20.981 seconds. Barker would fair decent around the half mile paved track, posting a time of 21.121 seconds, 0.140 seconds behind Abilene's time, placing Barker 13th on the starting line up. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was three-time last-place finisher the #89 Plymouth of Brent James, who posted a time of 21.284 seconds, 0.303 seconds behind Abilene's time.

Barker on pit road at the start of the race.

As the field began their lone pace lap, Barker's car wouldn't start as the field rolled off pit road, with Barker in his pit stall as the field took the green flag, with his team replacing all four tires before sending their driver back out onto the track, a full two laps behind the race leaders. Barker and his team hoped some other driver would have a problem to allow them a chance to at least get one lap back, but it wouldn't happen, as Barker would remain in last from flag-to-flag, easily scoring his second last-place finish of the year.

The remaining Bottom Five finished on the same lap as the race leaders: 21st was the #100 of Jeff Stott, 20th was Asheville-Weaverville last-place finisher the #58 Kaiser of Brent Davison, 19th was three-time last-place finisher the #81 Ford of Sergeant Young and 18th was second Carrell last place-finisher the #77 Oldsmobile of McKenzie Dell.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #60 has finished last in a Cup race at Pine Grove.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #60-Josh Barker / 18 laps / running
21) #100-Jeff Stott / 20 laps / running
20) #58-Brent Davison / 20 laps / running
19) #81-Sergeant Young / 20 laps / running
18) #77-McKenzie Dell / 20 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship

CUP: Sebastian Torres goes for a roll at Thompson; still able to finish the race

Sebastian Torres picked up the 3rd last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Wednesday's Race 32 at the Thompson Speedway when his #3 Plymouth completed 19 of the 20 laps under power.

The finish, which came in his 44th career series start, was his first on the circuit since the Motor City 250 at the Michigan State Fairgrounds when he completed all 25 laps under power; 12 races ago. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 3rd for car #3 and the 43rd for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 24th for the #3 and 364th for running at the finish.

After trailing the field at Detroit, Torres would skip the next three races at Fort Miami, Morristown and Air Base before scoring a runner up finish at Darlington, a race he had won one season previously, and also a race that allowed Torres to jump 27 spots in points, from 31st to 3rd. Torres would skip the next two rounds at Columbia and Central City before returning at Langhorne, where he finished runner up once again. Torres would then sit out the next three events at Charlotte, Dayton and Wilson, before returning to finish outside the points, a 19th, in the last round at Hillsborough.

The entry list for the 10th time this season would be filled with both full time and part time drivers, the first time since Race 31 at the Occoneechee Speedway, 1 race ago.

In qualifying, Brian Fox scored his third pole of the year, with a time of 21.753 seconds. Torres would struggle around the half mile paved track, posting a time of 22.039 seconds, 0.286 seconds behind Fox's time, placing Torres 28th on the starting line up. Securing the 42nd and final starting spot was the #64 Plymouth of Chase Abbott, who posted a time of 22.218 seconds, 0.465 seconds behind Fox's time.

When the race started, Abbott's stay in the final spot lasted only two turns as he knocked two-time last-place finisher the #22 Hudson of Chris Kyle into the final position, with Kyle trailing for not only the first lap but also the two after, before knocking second Hillsborough last-place finisher the #4 Ford of Austin Line into last on Lap 4. Line would trail for two laps before he knocked the #43 of Nathan Ormond into last on Lap 7, but Ormond was determined to not trail for the first time of the season and would knock the first Hillsborough last-place finisher the #83 Ford of James Baiser into last on Lap 8, a position he would hold till the battle for last came to an end three laps later.

Torres, who had fallen back to the 36th position, was battling with Ormond entering Turn 1 when Torres cut down at the same time Ormond was making a move for the position, causing Torres to spin out in Turn 1 and up the 26° banking of the track right in front of first Charlotte last-place finisher the #8 Fry Motors Lincoln of Chris Tuckett, with Tuckett hitting Torres in the driver's door, it caused Torres's car to flip one time before landing on all four wheels. Torres would make it to pit lane for repairs, taking last on Lap 11, and he would lose a lap in the process, before being sent back out to see if he could recover anything. When the field went back to racing, Torres limped around the track at half speed, hoping that someone else would have problems, but it never came, with Torres being the lone driver to not finish 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 aforementioned #8 of Chris Tuckett, 40th was the #83 of James Blaiser, 39th was the #93 Plymouth of Roger James and 38th was the #4 of Austin Line.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #3 has finished last in a Cup race at Thompson.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
42) #3-Sebastian Torres / 19 laps / running
41) #8-Chris Tuckett / 20 laps / running
40) #83-James Blaiser / 20 laps / running
39) #93-Roger James / 20 laps / running
38) #4-Austin Line / 20 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship

CUP: Austin Line trails at Hillsborough

Austin Line picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in Monday's Race 31 at the Occoneechee Speedway when his #4 Blevins Motor Co. Studebaker completed all 15 laps under power.

The finish came in his 31st career series start. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 1st for car #4 and the 42nd for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 17th for the #4 and 363rd for running at the finish.

Line was not only making his Grand National Series debut, but also his overall SCRL debut when he signed up to complete full time for the series third ever season, so when the driver finished a disappointing 37th in his debut at Daytona Beach, it wasn't a surprise due to the lack of experience. A points paying 8th place at Charlotte, would be followed by a 19th at Lakeview, 13th at Carrell, 34th at Hillsborough, 21st at Arizona State, 11th at North Wilkesboro, 10th at Martinsville, 4th at Canfield, 20th at Columbus, 3rd at Columbia, before in just his 12th career start, Line would score his first career win at Dayton.

After scoring his first win, Line would back up his first ever win with a runner up in the second Carrell event, before struggling to a 18th at Grand Rapids, a 12th at Bainbridge, a 22nd at Heidelberg, a 7th at Asheville-Weaverville, a 15th at Monroe County, a 13th at Altamont-Schenectady, a 15th at Michigan State Fairgrounds, a 3rd at Fort Miami, a 18th at Morristown, a 4th at Air Base, a 36th at Darlington, a 21st at Columbia, a 13th at Central City, a 35th at Langhorne, a 7th at Charlotte, a 6th at Dayton before finishing 11th in the last round at Wilson.

The entry list for the 9th time this season would be filled with both full time and part time drivers, the first time since Race 27 at the Langhorne Speedway, 4 races ago.

In qualifying, Allison Marley scored her first career pole, with a time of 43.625 seconds. Line would struggle around the one mile dirt track, posting a time of 44.561 seconds, 0.936 seconds behind Marley's, placing Line 37th on the starting line up. Securing the 42nd and final starting spot was Columbia last-place finisher the #78 Lincoln of Addy Jade, who posted a time of 45.102 seconds, 1.477 seconds behind Marley's time.

When the race started, Jade's stay in the final spot was brief, as she instantly would knock Arizona last-place finisher the #88 Rocket Oldsmobile of Amber Reid into last in Turn 1, with Reid trailing the first lap. Over the next five circuits, Reid would struggle to make any gains on the drivers in front of her despite staying in contact with the tail end of the field and it appeared she would trail for the second time in her career, but by Lap 7, Line had fallen back and would be passed by Reid. Much like with Reid, once in the final spot, Line found it hard to make any positions up for the remaining laps and was nearly a full second behind the car in front of him when the checkered flag waved.

The remaining Bottom Five were: 41st was the aforementioned #88 of Amber Reid, 40th was two time last-place finisher the #92 Fabulous Hudson Hornet Hudson of Andrew James, 39th was the #78 of Addy Jade and 38th was the #24 Plymouth of David Waide.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #4 has finished last in a Cup race at Hillsborough.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
42) #4-Austin Line / 15 laps / running
41) #88-Amber Reid / 15 laps / running
40) #92-Andrew James / 15 laps / running
39) #78-Addy Jade / 15 laps / running
38) #24-David Waide / 15 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship

CUP: Rookie Cole O'Ash trails for the first time in his SCRL career at Wilson Speedway

Cole O'Ash picked up the 1st last place finish of his SCRL Grand National Series career in the April 1st Race 30 at the Wilson Speedway when his #59 Buesink Police Special Ford completed all 20 laps under power.

The finish came in his 30th career series start. In the SCRL Grand National Series, it's the 2nd for car #59 and the 41st for running at the finish. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 7th for the #59 and 362nd for running at the finish.

Cole was part of nearly half of the field that was not only making their Grand National Series debuts, but also their overall SCRL debut, and with no past experience, Cole would be tackling the challenge head on, driving full time in a attempt at winning a championship. Cole's career got off to a rocky start by finishing 31st at Daytona Beach, 21st at Charlotte, 28th at Lakeview, 20th at Carrell, 40th at Hillsborough before finally finishing a points paying finish, a 10th, in his sixth career start at Arizona Fairgrounds.

Success wouldn't be long as Cole would struggle to a 38th place finish at North Wilkesboro, before rebounding with a career best 5th at Martinsville and a 9th at Canfield before struggling to a 18th at Columbus, 12th at Columbia, 10th at Dayton, 8th at Carrell, 15th at Grand Rapids, 11th at Bainbridge, 10th at Heidelberg, 8th at Asheville-Weaverville, 21st at Monroe County before in just his 19th career start, Cole would visit victory lane for the first time in his career by winning at Altamont-Schenectady. A 30th at Michigan State Fairgrounds would be followed by a 9th at Fort Miami, 6th at Morristown, 2nd at Air Base, 4th at Darlington, 10th at Columbia, 9th at Central City, 4th at Langhorne, 18th at Charlotte before scoring win #2 in the last round at Dayton.

The entry list for the 22nd time this season would be filled with only the full-time drivers, with the part-time drivers not scheduled to make an appearance until Race 31 at Hillsborough.

In qualifying, Austin Abilene would win the pole, with a time of 20.882 seconds. Cole would fair decent around the bumpy half mile track, posting a time of 21.112 seconds, 0.230 seconds behind Abilene, placing Cole 8th on the starting line up. Securing the 22nd and final starting spot was current SCRLASTCAR Championship leader the #120 Hudson of Brian Grigsby, who posted a time of 21.422 seconds, 0.540 seconds behind Abilene's time.

When the race started, Grigsby would trail for the first lap before knocking two-time last-place finisher the #60 Plymouth of Josh Barker into last on Lap 2. Just like with Grigsby, Barker was determined to not be in last for long as he knocked the #2 Ford of Bronson Minnick into last on Lap 3 before the next circuit around it was second Carrell last place-finisher the #77 Oldsmobile of McKenzie Dell who had fallen to last. Dell would trail for two circuits before knocking two-time last-place finisher the #81 Oldsmobile of Sergeant Young into last on Lap 6, with Young also trailing for two laps before knocking Dell back to last on Lap 8. Dell would once again remain in last for two laps before knocking Cole, who had struggled during the first half of the race, to last for the first time on Lap 11.

Cole would remain in the final spot for the next three laps before he knocked two-time last-place finisher the #69 Oldsmobile of Chakat Duskwatcher to last on Lap 15. Duskwatcher would trail the first as the last few laps would tick by and was trailing when the field took the white flag, but would make hir move entering Turn 1 and knocking Cole back to last, but entering the backstretch Cole would make a move and attempted to knock Duskwatcher back to last in Turns 3 and 4 but would run out of time, falling a car length behind when the checkered flag waved.

The remaining Bottom Five were: 21st was the aforementioned #69 of Chakat Duskwatcher, 20th was the #77 of McKenzie Dell, 19th was two-time last-place finisher the #22 Hudson of Chris Kyle and 18th was Asheville-Weaverville last-place finisher the #58 Kaiser of Brent Davison.

SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #59 has finished last in a Cup race at Wilson.
*The only other time the #59 has trailed a Cup race was in the Season 2 Wilkes 200 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway when Zachary Fitzwater's #59 Lincoln fell out with header issues without completing any of the 40 laps; 34 races ago.

THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #59-Cole O'Ash / 20 laps / running
21) #69-Chakat Duskwatcher / 20 laps / running
20) #77-McKenzie Dell / 20 laps / running
19) #22-Chris Kyle / 20 laps / running
18) #58-Brent Davison / 20 laps / running

S3 SCRLASTCAR Grand National Series Driver's Championship