diff --git a/lib/drift/orders.ts b/lib/drift/orders.ts
index a99962f..39c1315 100644
--- a/lib/drift/orders.ts
+++ b/lib/drift/orders.ts
@@ -563,8 +563,11 @@ export async function closePosition(
     }
     
     // Place market close order using simple placePerpOrder (like v3)
-    console.log('🚀 Placing REAL market close order...')
-    const txSig = await driftClient.placePerpOrder(orderParams)
+    // CRITICAL: Wrap in retry logic for rate limit protection
+    console.log('🚀 Placing REAL market close order with retry protection...')
+    const txSig = await retryWithBackoff(async () => {
+      return await driftClient.placePerpOrder(orderParams)
+    }, 3, 8000) // 8s base delay, 3 max retries
     
     console.log(`✅ Close order placed! Transaction: ${txSig}`)